Each year the UBMC subsidises 8 people to carry out their SPA training. This will take place on a weekend (date to be confirmed) in either late february or march. Places will be prioritised to those who showed interest last year but were turned down, and to those who can drive.

Before you sign up make sure you can answer yes to the following questions.

• Are you at least 18 years old?
• Do you have 12 months rock climbing experience?
• Are you an active climber with experience of lead climbing?
• Have you led at least 15 routes outdoors on leader placed protection?
(these requirements are copied from the mlte website, and are important if you want to get the most out of the training)

The course will cost £55 (subsidised price), plus £27 for registration and the logbook.
Petrol and accomodation will be in addition to this.

This is a thoroughly worthwhile award to aim for, and this is a great opportunity to do it at a reduced fee.

For details of the SPA syllabus or to just find out what it is, see: http://www.mlte.org/content.php?nID=57

1. Jules (D)
2. Mark D
3. Tommy B
4. Neil
5. Alice
6. Rosie
7. MILF-Hunter
8. Vicky (D)

Dates to be confirmed

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Great Free Blowies (men or women) - 07702218917

I'd like to do it if possible, sounds quite fun and interesting.

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MILF-Hunter

I did this last year and its a very useful couple of days.

what about an SPA assessment in stead of training?

I can put you in touch with the instructor we use for an assessment, but i'm afraid the subsidy only extends to training.

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Great Free Blowies (men or women) - 07702218917

How much is the assessment?

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MILF-Hunter

do i have to pay the extra £27 if i already have an ml logbook - which are the same ?

Alice, I think it depends on how you registered, probably best to give the MLTE a ring and ask

SPA training is excellent, it teaches you loads of ropeworks stuff that's useful for loads of different things, not just teaching - and Pauls an excellent instructor so it's a great time opportunity ask questions about anything and everything (although probably best to keep it climbing related)

Also is there a time limit between doing the training and filling in the logbook that the assessment has to be done by?

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MILF-Hunter

Why thank you James. I will try my best to answer most questions that are asked, climbing related or otherwise!

With regards to registering. You will need to register for the SPA as well. Even if you have registered for the ML. But instead of £27 it will cost you £23 I believe.

How many people are interested in an assessment? If you have got three or four of you that are interested I'm sure that I can arrange something.

How come only training is susbisidised? its a bit bizarre not to subsidise the assessment bearing in mind SPAt and any other MLTE training is useless without the assessment as no person recnognises it.

The training in itself is by no means useless without the assessment in terms of personal ability, and the ropeworks training and advice it gives you. For getting a job you may need the assessment, but that does not make the training useless without it.

It depends on where you want to go with it, but the SPA training can definately enhance your personal climbing skillset. I know plenty of people who have done it with no plans to follow it up with assessment.

Awh, damn! Thats the only thing I haven't done. I've only done about 4 or 5 lead climbs.

Meh. I hope this will be on next year.

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"I'm not mad, I just see things differently"
No longer VP : But still Vaguely Philippino
FYI: Actions speak louder than wombats

It will. Don't worry.

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Great Free Blowies (men or women) - 07702218917

surely one of the main reasons for people to do the training is for the gaining of knowledge - yes it may be a useful award to put on your cv at some point but i'd say the training was the most important and useful part of the whole procedure