Student set to help GCU Mountaineering Club reach its peak thanks to new qualification
A GCU Biomedical Science student has taken his love for hillwalking to new heights after completing a Mountain Leadership qualification.
Sam Trombley is now officially able to lead expeditions into the Scottish hills and mountains, something that will come in particularly handy in his new role as President of GCU’s Mountaineering Club.
After spending his youth hiking near his home in Worcestershire alongside his parents, Sam’s passion for the great outdoors followed him north of the border.
“I actually came to Scotland on a coach holiday when I was about 14 years old,” explained Sam.
“We were over at the Spittal of Glenshee and I think that sort of planted the seed for me. I liked the idea of the expansive remoteness and Scotland has always seemed like a friendly place to me.
“I also wanted to come to a University where I would be close to mountains as well, so GCU really was the perfect option.
“I’ve been doing Munros for just over two years now and I’ve climbed 125 to this point. I actually didn’t intend to start bagging but then that first ten you do really hooks you in and then suddenly you’re up at 30…it’s quite addictive.”
Now in the third year of his BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science degree, Sam has combined his studies with an active role in GCU Students’ Association’s Mountaineering Club.
He said: “Joining a mountaineering club can be quite daunting because you have people that are really advanced climbers, but there really is a place for everyone here.
“One of the biggest things I’ve pushed within the club as Vice-President for the last two years is the mental health benefits of being involved. That free space that hiking gives you is incredible, it’s that feeling of being somewhere that you have a massive open area and you’re away from the stresses of everyday life.
“At GCU, we’re definitely the new kids on the block in the University scene. Strathclyde and University of Glasgow have been going for quite a while, but I feel like we’ve really broken ground through regular activities that have helped form that club mentality.”
Sam is now hoping to help the club develop even further after taking the opportunity to invest in some personal development through his Mountain Leadership qualification.
“I guess I’d been practicing for this since January 2023 when we started doing club trips in Scotland. That was the first point I almost had to be the leader within our club and it really got everything going.
“The qualification was completed through the Mountain Training Association (MTA), they’re the governing body and cover the UK and Ireland. It’s recognised in other countries, but there is another opportunity to become an International Mountain Leader, which requires a lot more work. It’s a bit like being a pilot where you have to get more and more practice before progressing to the next level.”
The course involves participants completing two training weekends, with Sam and 11 others exposed to the elements in Feshiebridge and The Cairngorms in September last year.
“In order to participate, you need to have a certain amount of QMDs (Quality Mountain Days). The first weekend was held at Mill Cottage, Feshiebridge. There was a lot of navigational work on that as well as emergency unplanned rope work, steep ground work, leadership work and other emergency procedures.
“The second weekend of training involved an expedition. We spent the night out near the Cairngorms in the middle of a yellow weather warning – it was actually the last time the River Spay burst its banks. We completed night navigation that evening and it was pretty intense, but those sort of situations are when you learn the most. Everything’s lovely when it’s sunshine and good visibility but you really get the most out of it when you have to lead a group in poor conditions.”
After embracing everything the Scottish weather had to throw at him, Sam progressed to the final stage of the qualification.
He explained: “The final assessment took place over five days in June this year in the Cairngorms. I was quite nervous about it but it was a great experience.
“There were three of us with two assessors for the first two days and then one assessor for the expedition. Day one was micro-nav, which was quite hard because you’re so used to doing it but not used to having people analyse you. Day two was steep groundwork, which was really fun because it involved the use of the ropes.
“Day three to five was then the expedition days where we basically spent three days hiking. All of us were out together and they would pull someone to the side and tell them that they had to get us to a certain point – there was a lot of focus on strategy. We had to do it in the dark as well, so you really need to be spot on with your navigation. We also had to know about some of the different plants and animals, and even some of the different types of rock.”
Thankfully, after all that effort, Sam successfully qualified and is delighted to be starting a new chapter in his climbing journey.
“Completing the qualification was really just about my love of hiking. A lot of people in the club at GCU have shown a huge amount of belief in me, especially Jakob Tribula and Paul Riley. The club overall was massive for me because it gave me that opportunity to actually lead people. A lot of other people doing the assessment didn’t have access to the different experiences I’ve had throughout my time at University.
“The club being affiliated with Mountaineering Scotland allows us to receive tuition twice a year, which massively helps boost your confidence. I’ve also had the opportunity to be taught by the likes of Ben Gibson and Kirsty Pallas throughout my mountaineering journey, who are both hugely experienced and given great advice.”
As he heads into another academic year, Sam plans to continue his personal development while also passing his expertise on to other members of the GCU Mountaineering Club.
He said: “All of this came at the right time for me. It’s really motivated me and I’d like to go for my Winter Mountain Leader qualification, so that’ll most likely be my next step.
“I’ve got big plans to set up my own guiding company at some point. I’ll obviously wait and see how things are shaping up one I’ve finished my degree. I definitely see myself staying in Scotland, especially with the opportunities in the winter.”
He added: “I’m going to be President of the Mountaineering Club next year and I’m massively excited to start. I want to keep up standards and continue having trips each month.
“I think having this qualification that is recognised by a professional board will really help boost my personal confidence and take the club to the next level.”
Follow @samtrombley on Instagram to find out more about his journey
You can also keep up to date with the GCU Mountaineering club by following them on Instagram @gcumountaineering
By Ross Clark
Got an SHLS or GSBS story? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk or message me on Twitter