Two days advanced scrambling

Well the weather has not been great here in Snowdonia over the last couple of days but nonetheless Ian, Dave & I have got out and made the most of the lashing rain and strong winds! Yesterday we progressed there scrambling onto grade 2 ground in Cwm Idwal with the boys leading alternate pitches and looking at all of the skills involved in roped scrambling. Today we put it into practice on a very wild Cneifion Arete. A great week despite the weather!

Gribin Ridge, Lliwedd

Yesterday Bryn took Dave & Ian up the North Ridge of Tryfan whilst I caught up on some admin here at home. I have updated the location articles on the website - read them here for inspiration on places to visit. Last night Bryn and I ran a night navigation exercise for the Llanberis MRT whilst today I took Dave & Ian over Lliwedd via the grade 1 Gribin Ridge in lashing rain and hail! This evening we had a rescue where two males were lost on the Pyg Track on Snowdon!

5 day classic scrambles course

This week I have been joined by Ian & Dave for a 5 day classic scrambles course. The aim of the week is to pick off some of the best grade 1, 2 and 3 scrambles in Snowdonia. Today we headed up the Gribin ridge onto the Glyders and then descended Bristly Ridge. The winds were lighter than forecast but it was seasonably cold which is great after the warm weather of last week. We had some sleet and hail on the summits today so winter is on its way! On the Llanberis MRT we have had the usual rash of callouts that we get when the clocks go back from people who have forgotten a torch so don't forget its dark a lot earlier now!

SARDA Wales Needs Your Body!

The Search and Rescue Dog Association is a voluntary organisation responsible for the training of Rescue Team Members and civilians to become Handlers of air scenting Search Dogs, enabling them to search for missing persons, in the Mountains, lowland, rural and urban areas of Wales.

Regular readers will know that I am training my 9 month old Collie Skye with SARDA Wales and you can read all about that on the Dog Blog - see the link on the right.

Every month we have a weekend of training and we need your help, or more particularly your body! We need people who are willing to spend the weekend hiding from the dogs, perhaps playing with the young dogs. It is the perfect excuse to lie in a field with a good book! You need to be over 18 and the next weekend is the 13-15 November, SARDA can provide free food and accommodation. For more details read here.

If you would like to volunteer then email our secretary: Sarda-w-info@mountain.rescue.org.uk

Family Rock Climbing Course

I have been out with the Galvin family for the last two days, they were out with me in the summer and fancied a couple of days rock climbing during the half term break. Yesterday we went to Tryfan Bach and did some multi pitch routes whilst today they climbed more than a dozen single pitch routes and some bouldering at Conwy slabs. A great couple of days in warm weather.

Wild, wild camping weekend

Well it has been quite a weekend of weather here in Wales with 80mph winds at 900m and lashing rain and I was camping! This weekend was my annual wild camping course and I nearly cancelled due to the weather but Mike, Jack, Jacob, Seb, Jim, Frank and I toughed it out and headed up into Cwm Tregallan on the back of Snowdon. We did some navigation skills and survived a night of very wild weather which really put the lessons taught to the test! Well done to all for staying cheerful and dry-ish!

North Ridge of Tryfan

The merry team and I headed up the North Ridge of Tryfan today to complete our 5 day navigation and scrambling course. We had a great day taking the most challenging line wherever we could and then descending the South Ridge. I have had a really excellent week thanks to the company of Rosie, Mick, Ed, Dave and then on the last two days Heidi & Sam and Frank (who is a Mountain Leader on my mentor scheme). We have had lots of laughs, some great days out and some lovely views so many thanks to all of them and happy mountaineering!