Picture this: You're a multisport instructor, and you're working towards your RCI, RDCI, or MCI. You're passionate about taking groups into the mountains, and you know that getting those qualifications will make a huge difference in your career. You reach out to a local Facebook group, looking for people to teach, and you get a flood of responses. Great, right?
But then reality hits. You spend hours chatting with potential learners, only to find that most of them are either unavailable, too advanced, or just too far away.
You manage to arrange a weekend, but when the day comes, all but one of your learners bail, leaving you frustrated and without those precious logbook days.
That's where we come in.
Rock Climbing Guineapigs on Demand connects you with eager learners from The Climbing Clan, allowing you to fill your logbook days without the hassle.
Here's how it works:
And the learners will bring some cake to share during the training day!
You can say goodbye to the stress and time-wasting that comes with trying to find suitable learners and instead, you'll be able to focus on what matters – teaching, climbing and getting those logbook days in.
So far this year we've run 12 events like this, and helped 6 instructors make significant progress towards their qualifications, and we're keen to help more people take their next step towards their next qualification.
We're a bunch of supportive, friendly people who like to encourage each other to climb and eat cake. We've been affiliated with the BMC since 2021, and are run entirely by volunteers. We've grown rapidly, and now have over 200 paid members, and over 600 people have attended our events and many more in our Facebook Group.
You can. But what is your time worth? What do you enjoy using your spare time for?
Is it teaching people about climbing or endlessly messaging people trying to rearrange dates?
We think training is a lot more fun when you can tell someone when you're free, and then turn up and do it.
Yes. One of the learners will be on designated photo duty, and will be getting some photos during it. You'll be able to use the photos and any text to tell other people about the day.
We'll also give you a shout out on the Climbing Clan Facebook and Instagram.
Yes. We ask learners to fill out a anonymous feedback form afterwards, which asks for good bits as well as opportunities to improve the training in future. We share the results with you so you can improve.
People who volunteer for us a lot (eg 5-10 times) get fast tracked for subsidised training from commercial trainers.
For example, this year:
Potentially yes. This year we have employed several RDCI's for £250/day to help train our more skilled members.
We have a particular gratitude to Clan Members who are RDCI's, and whilst we make commercial decisions and compare the options available, being a Clan member is a definite advantage from our point of view.
Clan Membership gets you third party BMC Insurance, which is the same as all our leaners, but that's not the only reason.
We're putting effort into supporting you on your career journey, and whilst we're incredibly grateful you're keen to share your skills with our learners, we
We make all our learners commit to your training days by paying £1.50 towards cake. One of the learners will
It's up to you to make a decision on what to do. You may choose to change venue, choose an indoor venue, to go ahead as normal or to cancel. Generally, if you're not sure,, we'd suggest you let the learners give it a go, and let you know if they've had enough.
If there's bad weather, and you decide to cancel, we'll give everyone a refund of their £1.50.
We'd really prefer that this didn't happen. We'll have to either find another trainer for the learners, or cancel them - neither of which are good options.
If you need to cancel, we'll refund the learners, but we won't be able to refund you.
Quite a few come with Clan membership including discounted entry to two climbing centres in Manchester
Have you joined our facebook group?
What do we need from you. Here's what:
How do you do it?
When Covid restrictions eased enough to allow outdoor climbing, we started developing a system to allow us to arrange small climbs, local to people, with the right amount of skills and gear and not too many people crowding to one area.
As the restrictions have relaxed, this system helps us organise events amongst groups where some people need lifts, some people don't have all the right skills, some people don't have all the right kit.
People sign up for climbing via our website. (We used to use google forms).
As people sign up, we ask a number of multiple choice questions:
Where are people coming from? What belaying skills do they have? what trad climbing skills do they have?
As well as some other questions:
Where are you coming from? Do you need a lift? Can you give a lift?
This all ends up in a Google Spreadsheet that looks a bit like this:
We then
From then, we try and start "sketching" a group configuration that'd work, looking and who is close to whom, and who needs lifts, and who has what skills.
In this example, Jerry needs a lift, and only Jack and Alice are likely to be well placed to give him one - so its worth putting them all in the same group (if possible) because one of them might not be able to give him one or might drop out.
It's worth noting that the Western Grit group, despite having 4 leaders and a number of learners, only has 3 racks between them. This isn't ideal, as whilst it'd probably unlikely they'd have 4 climbing pairs in action at once (as Jane is still learning to lead belay - and no-one there can set up top ropes), if any of Jasper, Bob or Cabbage face was to drop out at last minute, this group would be severely handicapped.
Juliet and Jumbo John didn't provide a location, but we chatted to them and filled in that location. We also note that Jumbo John hasn't said he's bringing any personal gear (harness etc) but having reminded ourselves who he is, we note he's an experienced trad climber, and discard this info.
Given we have a better sense of Juliet and Jumbo John's location, and the lack of racks in the Peak group, it may be worth sending one of them there.
Jimbo isn't really close to anyone else, and is one of the lowest skilled in the group, and is going to have a fair drive no matter what. They've been put in the Lancashire crag, but realistically could have gone in the other one too.
Jill is an interesting case - you may note lesser skills, but all the gear.
Jeremiah may not be the happiest of bunnies, and of course, an argument could be made for splitting the group and sending the No Preference people to a sport crag and everyone else to a trad crag - we've chosen not to do that. We can't always fully accommodate everyone and since Jeremiah themself doesn't lead Sport outside, they can't even lead a group to a Sport Crag.
Having taken all this in mind, we now can let people know what the plan is.
What crag to send people to? We could write a whole blog post about this, and probably will sometime.
In short: we try to make sure all the leaders will be able to lead stuff there, make sure everyone can get there, if it's in an evening, make sure it's close to the road and close to where people live, and make sure its somewhere with parking for however many people are going.
So now we have two clear groups, and have decided on crags to send them to. Now's the time to let them know.
We need to sent them a message on Facebook.
One early hint of people who won't show up is that they don't engage in the group chat.
Particularly if you have people new or newish to your group, you want to make a particular effort to engage them in letting you know when they'll arrive etc.
People who didn't get the messenger message
Volunteer capacity. See below.
The Outdoor Climbing team, lead by the Outdoor Climbing sec, usually splits the work into about 5 roles for each event:
These person recruits the other volunteers for that event, and makes sure everything happens as it should, when it should.
This can take 10 mins... or include all the time it takes to do the roles below if you can't find anyone or someone doesn't do their job and you have to step in an do it.
This person posts the event signup page on the Facebook group, creates the Facebook event we use to promote it. Invites people to the Facebook event.
Since this happens all before the event, it can happen from anywhere.
This usually takes about 30-40 mins.
At midday the day before, this person creates the groups as best they can.
Often they ask someone else to check if for them for constraints they hadn't spotted.
This usually takes about 30-40 mins.
This person messages the groups with all the information about the crag.
This is often surprisingly involved and lengthy, and takes about 30-40 mins
This person helps coordinate climbing at the crag, specifically:
Helping the Crag Coordinator and people trying to climb in any way they can.
Sharing photos and highlights on the facebook group afterwards
For the last 30 outdoor trips, the same 2-3 person team has done this on their own, with very little support, and very little holiday cover or breaks.
Recently a few more people have become involved, and we're eager to grow the volunteer team, so it shares the effort.
Just message The Climbing Clan on Facebook, or tick one of the Volunteering boxes in the Outdoor Climbing signup form.
People don't need to help every week, but supported to be able to do some of the tasks and roles means some people can take breaks, go on holiday and focus on improving these events and running more of them, rather than just keeping up with everything that needs doing.
Don't even... When people drop out after these groups have been created, there can be huge problems.
Perhaps they were one of the only 2 racks, or only person who could give x a lift, or one of the only lead belayers without a trad rack - so could lead belay a climber.
If they drop out before they're sent to a crag, and included here, it's fine. If they drop out afterwards, its a cause of huge headaches and has reduced organisers to tears on many occasions.
The trick as an organiser is to try and stay out of it and let the group figure it out amongst themselves, and be happy whatever they choose. This can be very hard, and very uncomfortable.
It's a huge question mark. But you cannot control it, and you cannot control people.
Usually a bigger problem than the actual weather, is people doom and glooming over what they fear the weather might be like. This might be with a long range (eg 5 day) weather forecast or it might be based off them looking out the window and seeing rain today, and assuming it'll continue for 4 straight days none stop.
Usually the problem is people rather than the weather - the best way to deal with the weather is to turn up on the day, and see what the crag looks like. It's surprising how many "rainy" days have really big long spells of dry weather. If you're not there, you never find them.
When it comes to dealing with the people, the general advice as an organiser is to try and stay out of it and let the group figure it out amongst themselves, and be happy whatever they choose. This can be very hard, and very uncomfortable and easy to deliberately ignore.
Historically, we don't. At present, very badly. Our entire Clan is very much Facebook centric and it's fair to say you won't get the full amount out of the climbing clan without a Facebook account. Some people have created Facebook accounts *just* for the Climbing Clan - and that seems to work well.
We don't. If they don't sign up, they can't come.
It's really awkward and uncomfortable.
Recently people have asked "Where in Manchester is a good shop to buy kit?"
For Clothing:
Nevisport, Cotswold (with our BMC discount) and Blacks are all good and comparable on price for nicer gear. Go Outdoors & Decathlon have more stuff that's a bit cheaper. Ellis Brigham if you want the best kit and advice.
Sometimes for things like baselayers, non-outdoor shops can have gym-wear that is a great cheap alternative.
Sports Direct are cheap but not usually great quality. TK Maxx & Primark sometimes have some decent stuff in but it's very hit or miss and you have to know what you're looking for.
For Climbing kit:
Go Outdoors and Decathlon will be cheapest. Cotswold is a good balance. The MCC shop is possibly the best place to buy shoes that fit. Ellis Brigham is more expensive, but you'll genuinely get good advice whilst you buy the gear.
Nevisport
Where: 188-192 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3ND
What for: Hiking clothing and footwear. Reasonable prices. Good kit. Helpful staff. 10% off if you have BMC membership.
Cotswold
Where: 118-124 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GQ
What for: What for: Climbing gear and hiking clothing and footwear. Reasonable prices. Good kit. Really good customer service. You can ask the staff any questions and they'll be helpful.
Go Outdoors
Where: Urban Exchange, Great Ancoats St, Manchester M4 6DE
What for: Climbing gear and hiking clothing and footwear. Lowest prices. Good kit. They have a membership scheme where if you've bought there before, it'll be cheaper to buy there again. The staff aren't particularly knowledgeable or helpful, so don't go here for expert advice.
Blacks
Where: 200 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3NN
What for: Hiking clothing and footwear. Slightly cheaper prices, perhaps slightly less good brands and less helpful staff. Worth a look in.
Ellis Brigham
Where: 130 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2GQ
What for: Amazing customer service and really high end, expensive gear. If you want the best climbing or hiking gear and to have a great time buying the best gear - go here - the staff really know what they're talking about.
Decathlon
Where: Ashton New Rd, Manchester M11 4BD
What for: Cheap ski goggles and hiking boots. Has its own brand of climbing gear (Simond) that is ok. Could also be ok for cheap warm and quick-drying baselayers or "hiking trousers" (tracksuit bottoms and leggings). Don't expect staff to have a clue about anything. Good if you know what you need.
Trespass
Where: Several outlets
Snow + Rock
Where: Didsbury and Trafford Park
Aldi & Lidl
Where: Everywhere
What for: cheap baselayers, cheap gloves, cheap ski goggles. Do not buy hiking boots or "waterproofs" here.
Sports Direct
Where: 58-66 Market St, Manchester M1 1PW
What for: Cheap ski goggles and boots. Perhaps cheap warm and quick-drying baselayers or "hiking trousers" (tracksuit bottoms and leggings). Don't expect staff to have a clue about anything. Good if you know what you need.
TK Max
Where: Manchester Arndale, 51-55 Market St, Manchester M1 1WR
What for: Cheap ski goggles and boots. Perhaps cheap jackets. Don't expect staff to have a clue about anything. Good if you know what you need.
Primark
Where: 106 - 122 Market St, Manchester M1 1WA
What for: Cheap ski goggles Perhaps cheap warm and quick-drying baselayers or "hiking trousers" (tracksuit bottoms and leggings). Don't expect staff to have a clue about anything. Good if you know what you need.
Depot Manchester
What for: good shoe collection and knowledgeable staff. Plenty of clothes etc. Have some gear too.
Parthian Manchester shop
What for: Great for climbing shoes! The Parthian shop will let you try on shoes in the shop, and then trial them on their wall. No retail shop in Manchester can offer that.
Patagonia Manchester
What for: High end brand's personal outlet. Hard to really recommend unless you're already in love with Patagonia the brand, the mission and the clothes. Nice experience to walk around, but probably not the where most will go to buy kit.
Fjallraven shop
Where: Old Bank Street off St. Ann's Square.
What for: Hard to recommend. Whilst Fjallraven more than a lifestyle brand, this wouldn't the best place to buy branded high end outdoor kit.
North Face shop Manchester
Where: Trafford Centre
What for: Hard to recommend. Probably the best place to buy outdoor-styled streetwear. If you're after high end outdoor kit, feel free to buy North Face branded, but let Ellis Brigham guide you towards the ones worth having.
Millets
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