Climbing (Single Pitch) & Abseiling

A single pitch climb is one that can be completed without any intermediate stances, and from which the climber can safely walk off unroped from the top, or can be safely lowered to the bottom of the climb.

Abseiling involves the decent of a rope using a friction device to control the speed of decent.  It is popular as an activity on single pitch crags, from structures such as bridges and as a method of retrieving equipment stuck on a climb.

A Single Pitch Climbing Permit is required for all Single Pitch Climbing and Abseiling activities.  Additionally young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.  There are two levels of permit available for Single Pitch Climbing:

 

Top Rope Climbing This refers to a climb when the climber is belayed either by a person at the top of the climb, or by a person at the bottom of the climb when the rope runs from the belayer through an anchor at the top of the climb
Lead Climbing This refers to a climb when the climber places protection devices into the rock face, or uses pre-installed protection devices, to clip their rope into as they climb

Additionally, each of these permit can be restricted (such as through geographical locations, artificial walls etc.) to end up with an individual permit to the level of competence and requirements of any person.

There are three types of permit available for Single Pitch Climbing:

 

Personal Allows a young person (under 18) to go climbing with others who hold a personal Single Pitch Climbing permit.  It does not allow a young person to go climbing with anyone who does not hold a personal Single Pitch Climbing permit
Leadership Allows the holder to lead a Single Pitch Climbing activity for one group, on a one rope system at a time.  Groups sizes can be found in the relevant rules of POR
Supervisory Allows the holder to supervise up to three single rope systems at any one time.  This permit holder remains responsible for all of the groups being supervised, but can designate some with the appropriate skills to be the rope leader of each group

 

Climbing (Multi Pitch)

A Multi Pitch Climb is one that cannot be completed without any intermediate stances, or from which the climber cannot safely walk off unroped from the top, or cannot be safely lowered to the bottom of the climb.

A Multi Pitch Climbing Permit is required for all Multi Pitch Climbing activities.  Additionally young people (under 18) can take part in adventurous activities for themselves with personal activity permits.  A Multi Pitch Climbing permit can be restricted (such as through specific locations etc.) to end up with an individual permit to the level of competence and requirements of any person.  There are two types of permit available for Multi Pitch Climbing:

 

Personal Allows a young person (under 18) to go climbing with others who hold a personal Multi Pitch Climbing permit.  It does not allow a young person to go climbing with anyone who does not hold a personal Multi Pitch Climbing permit
Leadership Allows the holder to lead a Multi Pitch Climbing activity for one group, on a one rope system at a time.  Groups sizes for Multi Pitch Climbing events can be found in the relevant rules of POR

 

Climbing Permit Holders on the Island

There are a number of Leaders with a Single Pitch Climbing Permit on the Island.  Their details can be found in Wight Pages which is available from your Group Scout Leader or relevant Commissioner.

Suitable Locations for Climbing & Abseiling on the Island

There are a number of suitable venues, including the Tower at Corf Camp, across the Island.  Information on the locations of these venues is available from the Qualified Climbing Leaders.

Non-Scout Owned/Commercial Venues

Scouts can take part in Climbing and Abseiling activities on non-Scout owned/commercial venues under the supervision of non-Scout instructors as long as the Venue and the Instructor holds a license from the Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) or the Instructor holds a Mountain Leader UK Single Pitch Award.  Further information is available in the factsheet Commercially Led Activities Index (FS120086)

Applying for a Permit

Information on what needs to be done to gain a Climbing Permit, and the application process, can be found in the Assessment Checklist Documentation of the relevant Permit type under the Climbing and Abseiling Assessment Documentation subtitle on the right hand side of this page.