About Leading Edge
Helping you achieve your aspirations in the outdoors. Providing top flight instruction, coaching and experiences. Also a Mountain Training course provider for those that wish to qualify as a leader or instructor.
Reviews
Rock Climbing Instructor Training while it’s raining (what’s worse than cats & dogs?). Cath & Mick helping the team hone their own & others movement skills in the positive (DRY) learning environment of Beacon Climbing Centre . It was the place to be today if you could avoid drowning getting from the car to the door, what a day. Summit Mountain Skills Mountain Training Next course is December 1st-3rd. http://leadingedge-mountain.co.uk/mtq.htm l
The Hill Skills course run by Leading Edge is your key to getting started in countryside and moorland walking. Maybe you do have some experience of hill walking but are unsure about some of the detail? Perhaps you are always out with others that know what they are doing, but you would like the skills to be actively involved in the planning, navigating and decision making? This is an ideal way to learn about all the equipment, understand and plan for the weather, become more competent and confident in your navigation and journeying techniques. £110 and you receive Mountain Training accreditation.
A Leading Edge training course is modern, it is very up to date looking at all the required skills. You will get hands on with lots of different equipment, explore many teaching techniques all in as practical, interactive and engaging way as possible. We ensure you leave inspired and motivated, with a clear picture of what you need to do personally to qualify as a Climbing Wall Instructor. £125
Cath running through I.D.E.A.S. Womens Climbing Symposium down HarroWall. Was great to be asked to run some trad ropework workshops and we had loads of budding multi pitch climbers join us for a hour of hands on fundamentals. Superb day surrounded by over 400 female climbers all super keen, super interested and sharing a fantastic vibe. Association of Mountaineering Instructors Womenclimb Thisgirlcan
At the Womens Climbing Symposium 2018 delivering a workshop to women who want to gain understanding and confidence in their rope work on multi pitch stances. We went on a climbing journey without ever leaving the ground;) Learning key fundamental concepts and using the I.D.E.A.S. checklist helped us to have a safe and efficient transition on our multi-pitch stances. WCS 2018 Womenclimb BMC Association of Mountaineering Instructors
Fabulous picture taken by Dave Percy while working with Amanda and Simon at the weekend. They were wanting to do some more challenging roped scrambles with a view to learn how to be more independent and start to get into this terrain themselves. A great two days and perfect for the autumnal weather. We have scrambling courses running all the way up to Xmas. info@leadingedge-mountain.co.uk for more details. Association of Mountaineering Instructors Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri - Snowdonia National Park
Chris and Helen enjoying the weird and wonderful scenery and climbing in the Llanberis slate quarries. They didn’t think they would be going to Australia this week, the Welsh Oz was almost as sunny but possibly not quite as warm! @jaggedglobe Association of Mountaineering Instructors
Ollie and Morgan making very good progress with the transfer of their indoor climbing skills to the outdoor arena, and making the most of a double 'alpine knee' to finish:) Womenclimb Association of Mountaineering Instructors
Helen taking her time and not rushing into moves. Having a plan as you move up really helps with feeling in control. Feeling in control does wonders for the confidence. 😎. @jaggedglobe Association of Mountaineering Instructors
Morgan and Ollie were on a steep learning curve today on their first multi pitch and first climb outside. They coped very well with all the information coming their way!:) Association of Mountaineering Instructors Womenclimb
What a spot! A very aesthetic day in the sunshine on Clwydian limestone. Chris and Helen loving this scenic spot and it’s climbing too. @jaggedglobe
Helen discovering she really can stand on teeny, tiny holds with just the edge of her rock shoes and they stay! Re-defining what she thinks of a foothold and also what’s possible with control and precision. The slate really helping with her continued climbing journey and confidence on rock. @jaggedglobe Association of Mountaineering Instructors Thisgirlcan Womenclimb
Successfully managed to shower dodge today at Tremadog. Maggie enjoying the warmth and the sunshine😎
Maggie keeping together climbing form and refining climbing technique on our climbing confidence course. Association of Mountaineering Instructors BMC Womenclimb
Climb Confidence courses running this weekend in Snowdonia. Either a stand alone day or pair them up for more maximising of your climbing. Focusing on movement, technique and head game/anxiety tactics. Super experienced and highly qualified staff. http://leadingedge-mountain.co.uk/climbco nfidence.html or info@leadingedge-mountain.co.uk for more details.
Boost your confidence for Mountain Training Association. A dry but blowy day on Holyhead Mountain. Loads of subjects covered including, belays, rigging, movement, technique and lots of head game coping strategies. The difference feeling in control makes was a real light bulb moment for many. There was a lot of gear testing on lead as well, wire and cam placements all put through their paces as well as defensive falling positions. All in a day😃, good job Sean was there to help. Association of Mountaineering Instructors Mountain Training
A lovely few days on the Yorkshire Gritstone where Mary and I attended jamming school for much needed practise of the dark art. Womenclimb
Maria leading (on a ghost rope) Mistook VS at the Upper Tier of Tremadog. With the gear in place and the rope pulled through for the final attempt the rain arrived 40mins before YR.No had predicted, 😢. Still a very productive day and a real pleasure working with this very brave and determined lady. Association of Mountaineering Instructors Thisgirlcan
Amazing weekend working with Army Mountaineering Association. Rain definitely did not stop play yesterday. 8 hours of solid improvised rescue with only a 15mins break for lunch! These guys and girls can really absorbed and process information and techniques! Still keen and prussicking up and down ropes at 5pm. Rob and Pat here dry running a assisted hoist. Dry crag and cool tunes courtesy of Indi Wall. Association of Mountaineering Instructors BMC
Well, we are now on a train heading to Madrid following an amazing week climbing on the Costa Blanca with Leading Edge Mountaineering, and feeling the urge to leave a review.
If you are looking for something exceptional.... look no further. This is not just a 'course'....
Sam & Cath of Leading Edge, along with Sally & Al, are incredibly talented & highly qualified climbers. Decades of experience between them as climbers, instructors & educators. Moreover, they are passionate about everything they do, and seemingly motivated to deliver the very best experience possible for anyone wanting to climb.
This is definitely not 'pay your money and follow the programme'.... this is low ratios, individual attention, developing people, and empowering them to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. Client led, and there is an unrelenting effort to go the extra mile. It's one thing to have so much knowledge & ability - but another to have the skill to impart that on people of all abilities & confidence levels.
All sorts of options were available. Single pitch, multi pitch, longer mountain routes, easy, hard, ridiculous (for those requiring it ☺😨), technical coaching, footwork, helping with confidence.... the whole deal.
Planning, preparation, attention to detail, flexibility, & 'staying safe' whilst having fun climbing, were a constant feature.
The atmosphere was relaxed & friendly, breakfasts & lunches great, accommodation lovely, pool heated, and in a nice quiet area near Altea, which was a great location for getting to lots of venues.
We had a great talk from Sally on 'Managing Fear', and Al happens to double up on talent as a climber / photographer combo - so lots of great pictures to see at the end of each day.
A fantastic week, and we both felt privileged to have had so much help, coaching, & encouragement from some very understated & humble, but clearly talented climbers.
Like us, if you want the chance to climb somewhere different, beautiful & sunny.... book yourself on this.
Thank you!!
Helen & Chris
The team are exceptional and Sam laughter makes you relax when doing a difficult move. I can't thank Cath for her gentle words of encouragement and guidance. I cannot believe some of the routes I managed on the 2 day learn to lead weekend course. Everyone I meet was fantastic and cannot wait to book another course with them.
Sam helps you believe in yourself. Buckets of enthusiasm, knowledge and the experience to back it up. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to work on confidence and the skills to generalise this into your own climbing.
Sam Leary is an outstanding coach! I came to Sam to get better at lead climbing and I'm so glad I did!! She has a real gift for getting the best out of her clients and has made a real difference to my mental attitude to leading. A lot of people can "teach" climbing but Sam offers clarity, consistency, insight, honesty and genuine passion in her teaching...there's something a bit magic about what Sam can do :)
Leading Edge will be all about you. Sam very quickly establishes what aspects of your climbing you want to work on. She then has the experience, skills and ability to help maximise your climbing performance whilst simultaneously ensuring a great day out!
Leading Edge are quite simply brilliant.
Sam, Cath, Sally et al bring their extensive expertise, enthusiasm and patience to every perfectly tailored session. They of course teach the necessary technical skills but they do so in an independent, inventive and inspiring way.
The team work tirelessly to help you develop your self-belief and confidence as well as achieve your stated goals (and some you didn't even know you had!). The personalised coaching and endless encouragement coupled with their relaxed style makes for a quite simply fabulous experience, each and every time.
I have done three UK weekends and a full week in Spain with this amazing team. I can't wait to book another of their courses!
Thank you!
Leading Edge are just amazing. Following a fantastic Spanish Rock trip with them in April, I decided to try my hand at Lead Climbing for the first time. Both courses have been exceptional. Sam, Cath, Sally and Al are all lovely people; they care deeply about what they do and for the individuals they work with, and are fully committed to making sure everyone gets the most out of their time, and all the time Sam’s laugh puts everyone instantly at ease! The sport climbing trip in Spain was fantastic and I learnt a lot about technique but also just had a blast with a great group of people. The lead climbing course was a 2 day course in Wales. I can’t believe how much I learnt in such a short space of time. Sam has a great way of giving you confidence in your own ability, while looking on and gently guiding, all the time building your knowledge and confidence. I can’t recommend them enough - and now just need to figure out when my next trip will be..
Leading Edge Spanish Rock. Loved it! Ideal weather, unlimited climbing options, luxurious accommodation, and as for the coaching team...... Sam, Cath, Sally & Al - you are absolutely the best. Perfectly tailored, client centered coaching. See you next year �
I worked and climbed with Sam while preparing for MIA training. She has an infectious enthusiasm and inspires confidence and self belief in her clients. With an enormous wealth of skills and experience, Sam takes a person centred approach and in no time at all, will have you exceeding all your expectations. Be prepared to go home smiling :)
I was really lucky to have Leading Edge recommended to me by a fellow climber so I’d like to pass it forward! Sam, Cath and crew are incredibly brilliant at what they do. They’re not just experts but inspirations. I started out wanting to learn additional skills to aid my mountaineering pursuits, but got hooked on rock climbing instead. I blame Leading Edge for this change in trajectory! It’s not just about teaching new technical skills and technique, but knowing when to give you the support, push or belly laugh you need at precisely the time you need it. This is where Leading Edge excel and why the next trip is already in the diary! I can’t recommend them enough.
I enjoyed the course immensely and left with a lot more knowledge then I expected, not only in terms of the actual course content (navigation and climbing), but also with a wealth of information on how I could move forward with the skills I have gained so far.
The instructors are highly experienced, passionate and knowledgable on all aspects of their profession and the guidance offered was exactly what I needed.
It was great to surround myself with strong and awesome women. A great leap in the right direction. Couldn't ask for more.
I left INSPIRED!
I did an intro to multi-pitch with Cath which was enormous fun and very challenging - on the best way possible. She made me feel comfortable to push myself and I learnt a lot in two days and the benefits of the course are still coming through for me.
Because I had such a great time I went back to Leading Edge for their Mountain Inspired weekend on 4/5 August to demystify navigation. There was no mist, real or metaphorical - the weather and the coaching was amazing! I really got to grips with compass and map. On our second day we navigated two major Welsh peaks and a cross country descent. What a sense of accomplishment! Again brilliant coaching, a fab group of women and I came away feeling competent and with skills I can build on.
I cannot recommend Sam Leary highly enough! I went on a three day climbing confidence course with Sam and the improvement, and enjoyment, in my climbing has massively increased. While my climbing technique was pretty good I was being completely held back by "The Fear"! Sam has given me numerous techniques for dealing with this so that I can actually concentrate on the climbing and fulfil my potential. Even in a group Sam somehow manages to tailor the session so that everyone, regardless of their ability/expectations, gets a lot out of it. And as others here have said, her enthusiasm and genuine interest in your progression is a great motivator and make the sessions thoroughly enjoyable. I will definitely be booking more sessions with Sam next year and have a few friends also keen to do the same. Thanks Sam! :-D
Had another great time with the Leading Edge team, this time on a lead coaching course.
The instructor Mick Jones was of the usual very high standard that you get from the Leading Edge team.
Brilliant - Sam is an absolutely fantastic coach and she really, truly cares :-D
I was very motivated to begin lead climbing this summer but needed Sam's help first to get my mindset ready for it and to improve my confidence... and it worked! Sam not only helped me to improve my climbing techniques; she also worked on the tactics and psychology of leading which resulted in massive improvements in what I could achieve. 100% recommended!
Well, we are now on a train heading to Madrid following an amazing week climbing on the Costa Blanca with Leading Edge Mountaineering, and feeling the urge to leave a review.
If you are looking for something exceptional.... look no further. This is not just a 'course'....
Sam & Cath of Leading Edge, along with Sally & Al, are incredibly talented & highly qualified climbers. Decades of experience between them as climbers, instructors & educators. Moreover, they are passionate about everything they do, and seemingly motivated to deliver the very best experience possible for anyone wanting to climb.
This is definitely not 'pay your money and follow the programme'.... this is low ratios, individual attention, developing people, and empowering them to achieve whatever it is they want to achieve. Client led, and there is an unrelenting effort to go the extra mile. It's one thing to have so much knowledge & ability - but another to have the skill to impart that on people of all abilities & confidence levels.
All sorts of options were available. Single pitch, multi pitch, longer mountain routes, easy, hard, ridiculous (for those requiring it ☺😨), technical coaching, footwork, helping with confidence.... the whole deal.
Planning, preparation, attention to detail, flexibility, & 'staying safe' whilst having fun climbing, were a constant feature.
The atmosphere was relaxed & friendly, breakfasts & lunches great, accommodation lovely, pool heated, and in a nice quiet area near Altea, which was a great location for getting to lots of venues.
We had a great talk from Sally on 'Managing Fear', and Al happens to double up on talent as a climber / photographer combo - so lots of great pictures to see at the end of each day.
A fantastic week, and we both felt privileged to have had so much help, coaching, & encouragement from some very understated & humble, but clearly talented climbers.
Like us, if you want the chance to climb somewhere different, beautiful & sunny.... book yourself on this.
Thank you!!
Helen & Chris
The team are exceptional and Sam laughter makes you relax when doing a difficult move. I can't thank Cath for her gentle words of encouragement and guidance. I cannot believe some of the routes I managed on the 2 day learn to lead weekend course. Everyone I meet was fantastic and cannot wait to book another course with them.
Sam helps you believe in yourself. Buckets of enthusiasm, knowledge and the experience to back it up. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to work on confidence and the skills to generalise this into your own climbing.
Sam Leary is an outstanding coach! I came to Sam to get better at lead climbing and I'm so glad I did!! She has a real gift for getting the best out of her clients and has made a real difference to my mental attitude to leading. A lot of people can "teach" climbing but Sam offers clarity, consistency, insight, honesty and genuine passion in her teaching...there's something a bit magic about what Sam can do :)
Leading Edge will be all about you. Sam very quickly establishes what aspects of your climbing you want to work on. She then has the experience, skills and ability to help maximise your climbing performance whilst simultaneously ensuring a great day out!
Leading Edge are quite simply brilliant.
Sam, Cath, Sally et al bring their extensive expertise, enthusiasm and patience to every perfectly tailored session. They of course teach the necessary technical skills but they do so in an independent, inventive and inspiring way.
The team work tirelessly to help you develop your self-belief and confidence as well as achieve your stated goals (and some you didn't even know you had!). The personalised coaching and endless encouragement coupled with their relaxed style makes for a quite simply fabulous experience, each and every time.
I have done three UK weekends and a full week in Spain with this amazing team. I can't wait to book another of their courses!
Thank you!
Leading Edge are just amazing. Following a fantastic Spanish Rock trip with them in April, I decided to try my hand at Lead Climbing for the first time. Both courses have been exceptional. Sam, Cath, Sally and Al are all lovely people; they care deeply about what they do and for the individuals they work with, and are fully committed to making sure everyone gets the most out of their time, and all the time Sam’s laugh puts everyone instantly at ease! The sport climbing trip in Spain was fantastic and I learnt a lot about technique but also just had a blast with a great group of people. The lead climbing course was a 2 day course in Wales. I can’t believe how much I learnt in such a short space of time. Sam has a great way of giving you confidence in your own ability, while looking on and gently guiding, all the time building your knowledge and confidence. I can’t recommend them enough - and now just need to figure out when my next trip will be..
Leading Edge Spanish Rock. Loved it! Ideal weather, unlimited climbing options, luxurious accommodation, and as for the coaching team...... Sam, Cath, Sally & Al - you are absolutely the best. Perfectly tailored, client centered coaching. See you next year �
I worked and climbed with Sam while preparing for MIA training. She has an infectious enthusiasm and inspires confidence and self belief in her clients. With an enormous wealth of skills and experience, Sam takes a person centred approach and in no time at all, will have you exceeding all your expectations. Be prepared to go home smiling :)
I was really lucky to have Leading Edge recommended to me by a fellow climber so I’d like to pass it forward! Sam, Cath and crew are incredibly brilliant at what they do. They’re not just experts but inspirations. I started out wanting to learn additional skills to aid my mountaineering pursuits, but got hooked on rock climbing instead. I blame Leading Edge for this change in trajectory! It’s not just about teaching new technical skills and technique, but knowing when to give you the support, push or belly laugh you need at precisely the time you need it. This is where Leading Edge excel and why the next trip is already in the diary! I can’t recommend them enough.
I enjoyed the course immensely and left with a lot more knowledge then I expected, not only in terms of the actual course content (navigation and climbing), but also with a wealth of information on how I could move forward with the skills I have gained so far.
The instructors are highly experienced, passionate and knowledgable on all aspects of their profession and the guidance offered was exactly what I needed.
It was great to surround myself with strong and awesome women. A great leap in the right direction. Couldn't ask for more.
I left INSPIRED!
I did an intro to multi-pitch with Cath which was enormous fun and very challenging - on the best way possible. She made me feel comfortable to push myself and I learnt a lot in two days and the benefits of the course are still coming through for me.
Because I had such a great time I went back to Leading Edge for their Mountain Inspired weekend on 4/5 August to demystify navigation. There was no mist, real or metaphorical - the weather and the coaching was amazing! I really got to grips with compass and map. On our second day we navigated two major Welsh peaks and a cross country descent. What a sense of accomplishment! Again brilliant coaching, a fab group of women and I came away feeling competent and with skills I can build on.
I cannot recommend Sam Leary highly enough! I went on a three day climbing confidence course with Sam and the improvement, and enjoyment, in my climbing has massively increased. While my climbing technique was pretty good I was being completely held back by "The Fear"! Sam has given me numerous techniques for dealing with this so that I can actually concentrate on the climbing and fulfil my potential. Even in a group Sam somehow manages to tailor the session so that everyone, regardless of their ability/expectations, gets a lot out of it. And as others here have said, her enthusiasm and genuine interest in your progression is a great motivator and make the sessions thoroughly enjoyable. I will definitely be booking more sessions with Sam next year and have a few friends also keen to do the same. Thanks Sam! :-D
Had another great time with the Leading Edge team, this time on a lead coaching course.
The instructor Mick Jones was of the usual very high standard that you get from the Leading Edge team.
Brilliant - Sam is an absolutely fantastic coach and she really, truly cares :-D
I was very motivated to begin lead climbing this summer but needed Sam's help first to get my mindset ready for it and to improve my confidence... and it worked! Sam not only helped me to improve my climbing techniques; she also worked on the tactics and psychology of leading which resulted in massive improvements in what I could achieve. 100% recommended!