MLTA National Conference 2007

The MLTA held its second National Conference on a day when the weather was remarkably like it had been on the previous conference; windy and cold. This however didn’t deter 71 people from attending and benefiting from the wide range of workshops and discussions that took place during the day. Plas y Brenin was buzzing with activity. The workshops included:

  • Improvised Rescue for Climbers
  • GPS Navigation
  • The Climbing Wall Award
  • The National Navigation Award Scheme
  • Extra Ropework For Mountain Leaders
  • Teaching Navigation Skills
  • Best Practice in Mountain & Crag Leadership
  • Teaching Climbing Movement
  • Skills
  • Environmental Issues for Leaders
  • Peer Belaying

 

Having gained experience from the first conference a year previously this event went even smoother that the first allowing everyone to attend the workshops of their choice.

Enthusiasm levels were high throughout the day as everybody moved from one workshop to the next in the quest to glean as much knowledge from each of the lecturers/instructors as possible.

Judging by the feedback given by the delegates they were pretty happy with what they got except that they want more still! As far as was possible in one day most people were happy with what they received but strongly requested that future events should last the whole weekend allowing longer, more in depth workshops. The other popular request was for more regional events. This has provided the MLTA team with valuable material with which to plan events for the coming year.

Once again Mountain Training Trust kindly gave us the use of the excellent facilities and staff (Carlo Forte) at Plas y Brenin.

Thanks also to Andy Say and Mal Creasey of MLTE, Steve Long of MLTUK, Anne Salisbury and Joe Roberts of the Countryside Council for Wales all of who provided their expert knowledge and skills in great measure.

Paramo and Mountain Equipment donated garments as special prizes for members as well as contents of the delegate’s packs so thanks to them also.

A final ‘Thank you’ should be extended to all the members who supported the event and made it such a success.

The day following the conference twenty MLTA members attended the Fundamentals of Climbing workshop which was also hosted by Plas y Brenin. This was also a very successful event giving everyone loads of ideas on teaching climbing skill to novices.

Meanwhile a few others spend a pleasant day walking in surprisingly balmy weather on the southern end of the Carneddau.