BMG ski test 2009
BMG ski test - class of 2009
6 Candidates; 6 days; and the final arduous assessment of the scheme - this year's ski test was a great success
The final test element of the BMG scheme is the ski test. It now takes six days to complete and covers the whole gamut of techniques required to guide safely on skis with clients. The assessors this year were Richard Mansfield and Jon Bracey, who did an excellent job of maintaining the high standards of the scheme or, as one of the candidates put it "the BMG enlisted the help of a Ski Racer whose pulse rate only raises when he skins faster than 600m an hour to keep us on our toes"!
The candidates for the first two days were Matt Helliker, Hannah Burrows Smith, Rob Jarvis and Tim Blakemore. They visited the Aiguille Rouges and skied the Aiguille de la Gliere and the Col du Beugeant whilst demonstrating the skills to look after groups on technical terrain (including rope-work).
For the final 4 days the team were joined by Mark Thomas and Neil Johnson. They skied a variation on the Tour du Mt Dolent starting from Chamonix. Day 1 was spent on the Col du Chardonnet, Fenetre du Tour, Col Blanc and the Fenetre de Saleina, to the Refuge de Aiguilles Dorees. Day 2 was spent skiing the classic three cols (col de Planereuses, col de Crete Seche and the col des Essettes) to La Fouly. Days 3 and 4 were used to ski Mt Dolent from the bivouac hut and return via the Italian Val Ferret.
Whilst demonstrating their skills with transceivers, the team reported that "a worrying link between gps and disturbance whilst in search mode was discovered" (watch this space for future info)!
By the time candidates reach the ski test (the final hurdle for most, in pursuit of becoming a Guide) they are hugely experienced with a long aspirancy (their Alpine apprenticeship) behind them. Managing the balance between a thorough assessment - whilst sharing the benefits of experience - is always a challenging task. This years candidates felt proud to report that "All in all it felt like a genuine summative assessment with excellent additional training and advice given by the assessors". The full, unedited, version of the candidates report makes for very entertaining reading!
All 6 candidates passed - congratulations!
