SPA Exam

SPA Home written paper

As an SPA holder you are probably the first person beginners will meet in the world 

of rock climbing, you should be knowledgeable and be able to offer advice on equipment etc.

Historical / general interest

1.     Who first climbed the following routes?

       a.    Scavenger – Three Cliffs Gower

       b.    Cenotaph Corner – Llanberis

       c.    Coronation Street – Cheddar Gorge

       d.    Dream of white horses – Gogarth

       e.    Napes Needle – Great Gable

2.     Where is the route Spiral stairs?

3.     Where is Range West?

4.     Is the SPA valid in France?

5.     Why are tide times not required for SPA work.

6.     What are the tide times for day one of your assessment?

7.     Name 3 climbing wall manufactures

8.     Who is the secretary of the BMC?

9.     Who wrote ‘The Hard Years’?

10.  Who said ‘come on arms do your stuff’?

11.  Name four ways of obtaining a weather forecast?

12.  Who wrote ‘I chose to climb’?

13.  What type of rock is found at;

       a.    Stanage – Peak District?

       b.    Harrisons Rocks – SE England?

       c.    Pembroke – St. Govens?

       d.    Vivien Quarry – Llanberis?

       e.    Ogmore – SE Wales?

       f.     Idwall slabs – Snowdonia?

14. List three of the main interests of the Mountaineering Councils?

15. Where would you find information about local climbing clubs?

16. What bodies are currently responsible for setting international 

    minimum safety standards for climbing equipment? 

Technical

1.     What is a GriGri? 

2.     State why you find it good or not so good for novices?

3.     Who would you recommend to wear a body harness rather than just a sit harness and why?

4.     What is an HMS krab designed for?

5.     How would you assess the life expectancy of a climbing rope?

6.     What is a direct belay?

7.     What does maximum impact force (MIF) describe?

8.     Why might a 10 metre fall 40 metres up a climb be less serious than a 10 metre fall when 20 metres up the same overhanging route?

9.     What is the breaking strain of a rock 3?

10.  List the most important features a single pitch crag should have?

11.  State the important points to consider when setting up a belay?

12.  What are the important points to consider when abseiling with a group?

13.  What is a Munter hitch?

Environmental/Access

1.     Name 4 birds you are likely to see on sea cliffs?

2.     Name 4 plants you are likely to see on local crags/areas?

3.     What is the BMC bolting policy in South Wales?

4.     What is an SSSI?

5.     Who is responsible for the up keep of public rights of way?

6.     What is the approximate banned period for climbing on Yellow Wall Gower?

7.     What is the most important source of information regarding access to rock climbing venues?