Head for Heights?
A few weeks ago my wife informed me that she'd enrolled me on a rock climbing course on Saturday morning with a view to me writing about it for Playground magazine. She doesn't like heights, but knew that I'd relish the challenge and enjoy a change from my usual bike ride.
Thus I found myself with five others who had travelled from as far as Dartford and Rochester in the Birchden Woods Car Park awaiting Sarah Cullen's "Taster Course". Sarah briefed us on various safety points and issued us with a harness and helmet. Then we walked to Harrisons Rocks and started to learn some very basic rock climbing techniques. First we tried out a few straightforward climbs and scrambles. All the time our confidence was being carefully built up by Sarah, who was keen that each of us learnt at our own pace.
As she taught us, she told us about the history of the rocks and it made me realise how fortunate we are to live so close by. They are open to everyone at no cost. There is an incredible range of climbing in a relatively compact area, from easy to difficult (although at this stage almost everything is in the latter category for me). Once you have bought some essential equipment (helmet, harness, rope, karabiner), you can climb to your heart's content, as far as your ability allows!
There were about 90 minutes of our lesson left, so Sarah set up ropes for four different climbs, all quite close together so she could keep an eye on us. Having taught us how to belay*, she let us get on with it. It is fair to say that we were a group of mixed ability, but everyone gave it their all, and under Sarah's guidance I think we all made progress in terms of learning how to climb. I quickly realised how tiring it can be and "fell" a couple of times, but as I was being belayed* no damage was done!
I remembered one of the climbs "Dark Chimney" from a school trip, apparently a "must do classic of the crag" and it did not disappoint. Happily we all managed it. I haven't climbed since I was a teenager and now in my mid 40's I am keen to take it up again, particularly as Harrisons Rocks are so accessible and offer such variety for both beginners and those of more advanced ability.
Sarah's tuition was friendly, reassuring and challenged each of us at our own level. I will definitely be signing up for another course and then I'll be heading out to the rocks on my own.
*a belay is the means by which the climber is safe guarded. The action of belaying means protecting the climber from a fall by controlling the rope, i.e holding it.
Contact Sarah Cullen on 01892 860670 for more information about climbing classes and individual classes.
Article written for Summer 2008 issue by Tim Smith
