Climber interview - Mike Collins

Enough of me.

It's time to hand over the mic and share insights directly from the people I get to spend time with!

Despite doing this job for a long time, I still feel so privileged and grateful each and every time someone books with me.

So, I want to share thoughts from those people, what they're working towards, and their own reflections on climbing, work, and lessons along the way.

This is the first in a new series of mini interviews with people that have joined my courses, booked me for bespoke guiding or tuition, or are working towards climbing instructor qualifications.

First up - Mike Collins!

Mike has climbed for many years and is working towards his RCDI (Rock Climbing Development Instructor) and MCI (Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor). He completed his RCDI training in Autumn 2024 with myself and Stu Carter in the Lake District.

Firstly Mike, tell us a bit about you.

I’m based in Newcastle upon Tyne, in the North East of England.  There is very little climbing on my immediate doorstep but a vast amount in the County, and the North York Moors. 

I’ve spent most of my life in the outdoors in one form or another, although my job role has nothing to do with the outdoors (data analytics).  However, it does give me the freedom to mostly do what I want, which is nice. 

I got into climbing quite late on (2008) and followed quite a traditional route – my first ever climb was an outdoor multi-pitch route.  Although I have dabbled with different climbing disciplines, I see myself as a trad climber first and foremost.  I’m motivated by bigger, longer, more adventurous mountaineering routes.

Why did you choose to pursue the RCDI qualification?

When I first started climbing, my climbing partner was doing his MIA (now called MCI) and I always wanted to follow in his footsteps with respect to this.  When I finally started to think seriously about doing the MCI, I got a little waylaid with ML which I found strangely engaging. In 2023 I did my MCI training at PYB and was hugely humbled by the experience (having thought I was pretty good) and massively impressed by the course staff (in terms of their professionalism and ability to sequence and teach).

Having no real time pressure to complete MCI assessment, I decided that I wanted to consolidate and get really good at all the elements of the qualification and thus approached Esther as a potential mentor.  She suggested that RCDI might be a good way to consolidate the teaching elements of MCI, which it is!

For you, what has been most useful from the RCDI training course?

I think I had a slightly disparaging view of RCI (and thus potentially RCDI).  I did my SPA qualification a long time ago and I saw it really as equipping you to run group sessions and boring venues.  What struck me straightaway is how much you can potentially do with RCI and single pitch routes, if you just think more creatively about what you are doing, and who you are working with.  Bolt on to this the RCDI qualification, and you have a really strong foundation for taking clients climbing at interesting venues, with scope for a lot of teaching and learning.  I wish I had done the RCDI qualification before my MCI training – I think I then would have got a whole lot more out of the latter.

What have been the key learnings from your consolidation period so far?

• Be a really good RCI first and foremost (I wasn’t because I didn’t use my qualification much, or the way it could be used).

• If you’re not actively working in the outdoors, and using your qualifications, the whole process is much harder.

• Be imaginative with what you do – the MT syllabus for RCI / RCDI is more flexible than it might initially seem.

• Sequencing information and learning is key to developing clients.  Do more, talk less.  Learn how to explain things that we, as climbers, take for granted and think are simple.

• Boulder more, especially at good venues.  It teaches you to be a better, stronger climber, in a more controlled environment.  I wish I’d embraced this 13 years ago.

• Use a clip-stick – sport climbing is not indoor climbing, outside!

What would you recommend to others in a similar position to you?

Consider doing RCDI before MCI training. 

Network with people who are in the know and take every opportunity that you can to shadow and learn. This isn’t always easy to do – logistically it is hard to coordinate, and you have to appreciate that it does mean extra time demands for the person you are shadowing. However, it's worth it and you will gain so much crucial 'real life' experience.