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Climbing, Adventure & Outdoor Skills
Practical advice, inspiration and expert knowledge from Up & Under Adventures.
From your first steps into climbing to improving your technique, heading outdoors for the first time, learning new skills or planning your next adventure, our instructors and coaches share practical advice to help you get more from every experience.
Explore, Learn & Get More From Your Adventures
Whether you're new to climbing, looking to improve your movement, preparing to head outdoors or simply curious about the world of adventure, our blog is here to help.
Written by the experienced instructors and coaches at Up & Under Adventures, our articles cover indoor and outdoor climbing, climbing coaching, navigation, outdoor skills, equipment and adventure experiences.
You'll find practical tips, honest advice and useful information designed to help you climb with more confidence, make informed decisions about your equipment and get the most from your time outdoors.
Find Your Next Adventure
Our articles are designed to support you at every stage of your journey. Explore our latest advice, discover new places to climb and learn more about the skills that can help you enjoy the outdoors safely and confidently.
Looking for hands-on experience? Explore our climbing courses, outdoor climbing experiences, coaching and navigation courses to put your new knowledge into practice.
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Fundraising Ideas: How Adventure Activities Can Help You Raise More Money for Charity
Finding good fundraising ideas can be difficult. Whether you're raising money as an individual, organising something with a group of friends, or putting together a charity event for your workplace, there is always the same challenge: how do you encourage people to get involved and, ultimately, donate? One approach we've seen work particularly well is to give people something genuinely challenging and memorable to get behind. An adventurous activity can do exactly that. From o
Rob McGrady
Aug 246 min read
Belbin Team Roles: What Can Adventure Teach Us About Teamwork?
What makes a great team? Is it having the most talented people in the room? The strongest personalities? A shared goal? Or simply having people who know how to work well together? In reality, effective teams are rarely made up of people who all think, communicate and work in exactly the same way. Different people bring different strengths. Some naturally generate ideas. Others turn those ideas into action. Some challenge decisions, while others keep the team focused on relati
Rob McGrady
Aug 76 min read
What Is a Navigation Course? A Beginner’s Guide
What is a navigation course? A navigation course is a practical outdoor training experience that teaches you how to find your way using a map, compass, and natural features. It helps build the skills and confidence needed to navigate safely in the countryside, mountains, and remote environments without relying on GPS. Key things to know about navigation courses Designed for beginners and those looking to improve skills Focus on map reading and compass use Takes place in real
Rob McGrady
Apr 241 min read
What Is Outdoor Bouldering? A Beginner’s Guide
What is outdoor bouldering? Outdoor bouldering is a form of rock climbing done on natural rock formations without ropes, typically at lower heights. Climbers use bouldering mats for protection and focus on short, technical routes that require strength, balance, and problem-solving skills rather than endurance or height. Key things to know about outdoor bouldering No ropes or harnesses are used. Climbs are shorter and typically closer to the ground. Bouldering mats are placed
Rob McGrady
Apr 231 min read
What Is Abseiling? A Beginner’s Guide (Bristol & UK)
What is abseiling? Abseiling (also known as rappelling) is a controlled descent down a rock face or vertical surface using a rope, harness, and safety system. It is commonly used in climbing and outdoor adventure activities, allowing participants to safely lower themselves from heights under expert supervision. How does abseiling work? Abseiling works by using a rope system and a friction device that allows you to control your speed as you descend. A typical abseiling session
Rob McGrady
Apr 173 min read
What Is Rock Climbing? A Beginner’s Guide (Bristol & UK)
What is rock climbing? Rock climbing is an outdoor or indoor activity where participants climb natural rock faces or artificial walls using their hands, feet, and safety equipment such as ropes and harnesses. It can be done recreationally, for fitness, or as part of guided experiences with qualified instructors. How does rock climbing work? Rock climbing involves ascending a rock face using a combination of physical strength, balance, and technique, while being secured by saf
Rob McGrady
Apr 133 min read
Why Outdoor Adventures Are Perfect for Team Building
In today’s fast-paced work environment, building strong, connected teams is more important than ever. While traditional office-based exercises have their place, more organisations are turning to outdoor team building activities as a more engaging and effective solution. If you’re considering a more impactful approach, exploring a dedicated provider like Team Building Days at Up & Under Adventures is a great starting point. Their tailored experiences show how outdoor challenge
Rob McGrady
Mar 253 min read
7 Outdoor Stag Do Ideas & Hen Party Adventures Your Group Will Love
Planning a stag or hen celebration has changed a lot in recent years. While traditional nights out still have their place, many groups are now choosing experiences that bring everyone together during the day before the evening celebrations begin. Outdoor adventures are one of the fastest-growing trends in stag and hen celebrations. They offer something unique: a shared challenge, a chance to explore incredible landscapes, and the opportunity to create lasting memories with fr
Rob McGrady
Mar 123 min read
Stag & Hen Adventure Activities: What Works Best?
When planning a stag or hen celebration, many groups are looking for something a little more memorable than the traditional night out. Increasingly, people want experiences that bring everyone together, create real shared moments, and make the most of the great outdoors. That’s where adventure activities come in. From scaling real rock faces to tackling outdoor challenges as a team, stag do and hen party adventure activities offer the perfect balance of excitement, laughter a
Rob McGrady
Mar 106 min read
What to Wear for Outdoor Rock Climbing & Abseiling
A practical guide based on the recommended kit from Up & Under Adventures If you’re preparing for your first session and wondering what to wear rock climbing, the key is to keep things simple, practical, and suited to the outdoors. Unlike indoor climbing walls, outdoor climbing and abseiling expose you to weather, uneven ground, and longer periods outside. This Outdoor Rock Climbing & abseiling clothing guide is tailored around what experienced instructors recommend you bring
Rob McGrady
Feb 185 min read
Is Rock Climbing Safe for Beginners? What to Expect on Your First Session
Rock climbing - especially for beginners - can look intimidating from the outside. But with the right guidance, gear, and mindset, your first time rock climbing can be safe, exciting, and incredibly rewarding. In this guide, we’ll unpack what to expect as a newcomer, how safety is prioritised (including the big question: is abseiling safe?), and what it feels like to take on rock climbing for the first time with a professional provider like Up & Under Adventures. 🧗♀️ Rock C
Rob McGrady
Feb 43 min read
🧭 Map & Compass vs GPS: What Should Outdoor Beginners Learn First?
If you’re new to hiking, backpacking, or camping, one of the first big questions you’ll face is this: map and compass vs GPS - which navigation method should I learn first? With so many outdoor navigation tools available today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Short answer? You should learn both - but not at the same time, and not for the same reasons. Let’s break down what each option offers and which navigation skills beginners should focus on first. Candidate using map and c
Rob McGrady
Jan 143 min read
What You’ll Learn on a Beginner Navigation Course
If you love the idea of exploring the outdoors with confidence but aren’t sure where to start, a beginner navigation course is the perfect first step. Whether you’re new to hiking or simply want to build essential outdoor skills, these courses are designed to help you feel comfortable finding your way in the countryside. So, what can you actually expect on the day? Here’s a breakdown of what a beginner navigation course typically involves. A Friendly Introduction to Navigatio
Rob McGrady
Jan 62 min read
Taking the first steps into indoor climbing.
So how do we go about taking the first steps in to indoor climbing, to enjoy these bright and bustling centres with their artistic splattering of ropes and brightly coloured plastic holds?
Rob McGrady
Oct 12, 20225 min read
Buying climbing equipment.
Why you should always go to a reputable outlet when buying climbing equipment and how to spot potentially dangerous equipment. Make sure your Climbing Harness is actually a climbing harness and meets EN12277. Having worked in the outdoor pursuits industry for close to 13 years now we have seen a myriad of changes and regulations that have made our industry safer. However regardless of all these measures, we still see and hear of people unknowingly (and sometimes knowingly) b
Rob McGrady
Sep 7, 20224 min read
Making the leap in to outdoor climbing.
Author: Rob (RCI, CWDI, CWI) Rob on 'One Less White Oliver' VS 4c, Shorn Cliff As the summer draws closer, most will notice that our beloved climbing gyms are becoming sparsely populated. Just the mere hint of sun and most of us will be out on our projects or to our favourite crags. We probably take it for granted that we can climb outdoors. But, I can guarantee that we all remember our first outdoor climbing experience. For some it was a school trip. For others, it was an ou
Rob McGrady
Apr 10, 20194 min read
Top Ten Tips to improve your climbing!
Author: Rob (Coach & Personal Trainer) Rob on Fausse Rouge 5a, Roche aux Sabot Whether we climb indoors or out, there will always be a point in our climbing careers where we will need to sit down and focus on how to improve our performance. In this article we will list our top 10 coaching tips to help improve your climbing performance. 1. Climb more! Sounds simple doesn't it? But actually it makes a lot of sense. Just like any other skill set, you need to get the mileage in
Rob McGrady
Apr 9, 20195 min read
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