Issue 20 October 2003
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT NEWSKids Outdoors - Making a StartBy Jan Wilmington Not overly trustful of our weather I made contingency plans and prepared for three different walks and activities for the MCofS Annual Gathering 'Introduction to hill walking and the environment' kids walk. Plan 'A' walk was for fair (ish) weather, plan 'B' for poorer weather, and plan 'C' for coming down in stair rods and blowing a hoolie weather. As always the case with plan 'C's, it was the one which took much more lateral thinking and I wanted to leave nothing to chance so drove north on the Wednesday, in hope and glorious sunshine. Huh…the wind started on Wednesday evening, the hills couldn't be seen for cloud and by Thursday morning it was pouring. Stair-rod pouring. Friday dawned drier and with a hint of sunshine peeking through the cloud and a light breeze to keep the midges away, I walked the walks with plenty food for thought. Saturday dawned dry so plan 'A' it was to be. The morning activity for the kids was a session on navigation and map work run by Ian Broadley. Having chatted over light refreshment or two the previous evening, we agreed to combine forces and work together for the day. Although there were fewer young folk than anticipated…or feared…those who did attend made up in enthusiasm what was lacked in numbers. The morning session went very well with everyone entering into the spirit of the day on the low forest slopes of Meal a Bhuachaille where we set out a simple short compass course for the group, (which included one Mum) to practice taking and walking on a bearing and pacing. The morning session was concluded with a few fun, energising, and problem solving games before we set off. The walk started at the edge of Glenmore forest, out onto the open hillside, through the Chalamain Gap, down into the Lairig Ghru and back along the side of the Alt Druidh into Rothiemurchas forest and finishing at Rothiemurchas Lodge. Chosen because the spectacular and ever changing landscape clearly demonstrates many environmental issues as well as having clearly identifiable features for those starting to interpret a map. I thought it also a fine walk for young short legs. As we set off the wind dropped, allowing black clouds of ferocious Cairngorm beasties to attempt a good feast at our expense. However as we walked briskly through the forest (to create a breeze!) and down to the burn, nature took over and a light breeze ensured time to stop, look, absorb and discuss the changing environment. This was also a good opportunity to practice and consolidate what we had been doing in the morning. There were only two actual children accompanying the three adults on the walk (the other children opting for indoor climbing), Andrew and Robert McFarlane, bright lively eight-year-old twins with loads of energy and superbly enquiring minds. When the twins weren't walking, talking, laughing or eating they were still and watchful, absorbing their surroundings. Scrambling over the boulders in the Gap was a huge adventure, and all sorts of strange monsters were noticed in the magnificent rock architecture. Going down into the Lairig Ghru a warm breeze and gentle smir of rain kept the midges away as we talked all the way down to the burn. After (even) more Jaffa cakes and fresh water from the burn, weary feet had perked up enough to make good time into the forest and agile minds again found much to see and discuss en-route to Rothieuurchas Lodge where our chariot back to Glenmore was expected. Not even the black clouds of midges managed to dampen the spirits of any of the 'kids' on this walk. I personally hope this sort of youth development work will become an established MCofS activity as I believe our wild country environment is an ideal place to find that 'something else' in life that we all need. Our mountain areas are precious and fragile and for them to be sustainable as places for recreation, we ourselves must protect them and by example guide others to an understanding of their importance and relevance to our lives now and in the future.
Some comments from Andrew and Robert: |
On the Way to be the World's Best Bouldererby Malcolm Smith Famous for suggesting broccoli was the secret to his awesome strength, Malcolm Smith's power has been marvelled at here in the UK for years and it obvious that he would perform well against the best in the world. Here he describes his recent performance. Two years ago I finished work in Industrial Rope Access to become a professional climber. It hasn't been easy making a living from the sport but my acceptance last year for a Talented Athlete Award from sportscotland Lottery has made things a little easier financially. Without the award I would have had to work and I don't believe I could have put in enough training to finish 2nd in the bouldering world cup in 2002. Since I was 15 I've dedicated my life to climbing, to the exclusion of almost everything else. My dedication has paid off in that I've done well in the sport but I've had to sacrifice a lot in terms of material possessions. It's been worth it though, and I wouldn't change a thing. My focus has always been on improving my ability, both indoors and out. I believe that to be considered a world-class climber nowadays one has to do well in both disciplines. To me a good boulderer is a good climber and one who can apply their ability to routes if they wish. I have never been a "ticker”; I prefer to beaver away working on my ability then appear and do something good. My enjoyment comes from pushing myself to get better; personally I get little out of doing more and more of what I can already do. Over the last year I've concentrated on competitions. I've had to develop my onsight ability and work on my 'head' and improving these has fed back into my climbing on rock. I'm far better all round than when I started doing competitions. I'm still pottering away outdoors. I've been to some interesting places like Mescia in Italy and my old favourites Cresciano and Fontainebleau. I spent much of April's good weather this year at Bowden Doors in Northumberland, cleaning up a few of my projects. It's always rewarding doing new things on the rock but there's nothing more satisfying than winning a competition! Who knows what this year will hold for me. I've done a lot more work on my route reading and building on my technique and style since the last World Competitions and I've maintained my strength, so fingers crossed, my hope is that I can make it to the first place podium position in the world cup - a first for Scottish climbing too. A competitor's view of the UK's First
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