In reply to 'Hilda':
I did it about four years ago.
The reason I did it was very clear. I had learnt a lot about various bits of climbing from mates, books, lots of time on walls, puzzling it out myself, etc. However, I felt there was a risk I'd left some small but important thing out. I felt the PyB course would solve this, give me a clue as to the relative importance of each bit of knowledge I'd gained, and give me a bit of calibration as to where I was skill-wise.
It was completely successful at doing that, so I was happy.
It had its good points;
- these guys know the local area, so unless it's raining hard all over north wales for two days solid, you will get some outdoor leading done
- heard John Dunne (Donne ? you know who I mean) speak on the Saturday
- accommodation/bar/atmosphere fairly luxurious
It had its less good points;
- I was used to taking big whippers on indoor walls, so the "indoor fall practice" was a bit of a joke for me
- typically for a wall climber I was climbing high technical grades and found the actual leads we did a bit easy
- it isn't cheap; it might be cost-effective, that's your judgement
Happy in my consolidated knowledge, I then proceeded to go and make all the exciting mistakes that early trad leaders make. It was a laugh. I'm still alive.
Y