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National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme

The National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme (NICAS) is a UK wide scheme designed to promote climbing development and accredit individual achievement on artificial climbing structures. It can be used as a starting point for people wishing to take up climbing and mountaineering. It is open to all candidates aged 7 and upwards.

Alter Rock already have several schools actively following the NICAS scheme. Allowing Alter Rock to work with schools to introduce young people to the absorbing world of climbing.

Alter Rock is a full member of the Association of British Climbing Walls (ABC), the governing body which runs the scheme. NICAS ensures that standards are encouraged early on in a participant’s climbing career, maximising both safety and enjoyment. NICAS is helping to create an industry standard on how climbing should be taught to young people, and raising the safety standards of climbing walls throughout the UK.

NICAS is supported by

• The British Mountaineering Council (BMC)

• The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS)

• The Mountaineering Council of Ireland (MCI)

• Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE)

• Mountain Leader Training UK (MLTUK)

Aims Of The Scheme

• to develop climbing movement skills and improve levels of ability.

• to learn climbing rope-work and how to use equipment appropriately.

• to develop risk assessment and risk management skills in the sport.

• to work as a team, communicate with, and trust a climbing partner.

• to provide a structure for development, motivation and improved performance.

• to develop an understanding of the sport, it’s history and future challenges.

• to provide a record of personal achievement.

• to point the way to further disciplines and challenges in climbing beyond the scheme.

NICAS logbook 1 costs £4.00 per person and Logbook 2 costs £7.50.

There are no extra charges for instruction for groups wishing to follow the NICAS scheme at Alter Rock