SKILLS
This summer, Mountaineering & Climbing Instructor navigation course to be offered in the Cairngorms. As a Deaf person who seeks the calm of adventure in her Highlands home, Morag tells The Great Outdoors about her high hopes for the course, hosted through Glenmore Lodge, and what it may mean for accessibility outdoors for d/Deaf people in Britain
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Q When did you first discover the mountains and what was it about Scotland’s high places that drew you in and kept you coming back for more into adulthood?
A I was brought up in an ‘outdoorsy’ family. The majority of my childhood was spent on the back of a tandem bike touring around the Highlands or playing with other kids on campsites. In winters, we went cross-country skiing, downhill skiing and backcountry ski touring. Nowadays, my love for the outdoors remains as strong as ever. I climb all year. When my feet are on the ground, my dog Aila and I enjoy moving fast around the mountains ticking off the Munros. If I spend too much time indoors, my mood can go downhill! Fresh air and adventure keep my mental health healthy.
Q Can you describe your own sensory experience of the mountains?
A I love the feeling of being physically tired from hard climbing or long days on the hills. Even if the weather is brutal, knowing I’ll go home feeling rewarded does make the cuppa taste better! As a Deaf person, I find forest trails and mountains much calmer compared to visiting cities. In the hills, I don’t have to rely and concentrate on lipreading all the time. I’m not on constant alert in case someone’s about to speak to me, expecting a response right away. Some people can be impatient if I cannot understand them, especially in a busy city context, and it took me years to get used to the busy areas packed with people. Outdoors, I’m often on my own, with my dog or with close friends or family who are aware of my hearing difficulty. I can simply focus on enjoying the environment.
Q How would outdoor skills courses have benefited you (if at all) when you began to explore the great outdoors yourself?
A Skills courses test my knowledge. Before attending Summer Mountain Leader training, I wasn’t sure if my navigation skills were good enough to move through remote places or poor visibility. The course helped me realise that I can navigate, and I now have the confidence to go out and make my own decisions. You receive friendly feedback from the instructor, which will help you progress. For me, they’ve really opened up my freedom to roam in the hills whenever I want! Attending an outdoors skills course is a great way to overcome your barriers. A Skills courses test my knowledge. Before attending Summer Mountain Leader training, I wasn’t sure if my navigation sk
