Sunny Rock Climbing

I have been joined for the week by repeat clients Jude and Sue for 5 days of private guiding. The plan is to get as much climbing done as the weather allows and we got off to a great start today on Anglesey with a day of beautiful sunshine. This morning we climbed Mrs Murdoch (S), Pleasant Surprise (HS, 4c) and Teaser (VS 4c). After lunch we then headed to Castell Helen and joined a bustle of people on their MIA assessment. We hopped onto Lighthouse Arête (VS 4C) which we climbed in 4 sociable pitches and watched the porpoises enjoying playing in the tidal race. A stunning day.

Wow.

Climbing on Anglesey

We have been back to Anglesey for the final day of our 5 day climbing course today. Alex & Tim took it in turns to lead several V Diff pitches in great style and we also looked at rigging top ropes in a single pitch setting. It was warm and dry and gave a lovely end to a great week. 

Cneifien Arete

It has been another damp day here in Snowdonia with the dampness scale reaching levels seen yesterday and ensuring maximum pleasure is gained from our waterproofs. We wanted to do a multi pitch route and yet stay warm & avoid the snow on the tops so headed for the Cneifion Arete. Alex & Tim lead the entire route with me soloing alongside them to offer tips and advice and it gave us lots of opportunity to look at multi pitch climbing versus roped scrambling, keep moving and hence stay warmish and enjoy a mountain route into the bargain. 

Learning to lead

There has been a high water content in the National Park today! We headed to Lion Rock to avoid the 70mph winds and blizzard conditions up high and spent the day getting the boys on the sharp end of the rope. We looked at gear placements, building belays and got the boys leading in a multi pitch context before looking at some simple problem solving and abseiling skills. The photos are from last nights SARDA training in the Llanberis Pass when the weather was lovely! 

Idwal Slabs

Today Tim, Alex and I headed up the Idwal Slabs via Hope (V Diff) to give a multi pitch teaching day with the guys simu-leading and building their own belays. We used the scramble off to look at speed versus safety in scrambling ground and roped scrambling in descent. It stayed dry all day, contrary to the forecast, and so we had a lovely day out in the mountains. 

Climbing in the sunshine

I have been joined by repeat clients Tim and Alex for a 5 day learn to lead climbing course here in Snowdonia. We spent our first day on Anglesey and had some lovely blue skies and warm sunshine all day as we climbed a range of single and multi pitch Severe routes and did a spot of abseiling too. A great day and lovely to be out climbing. 

ML Training Expedition

For the last two days of our ML Training course we have been on a mini expedition, wild camping in the Carneddau. We started from Ogwen Cottage and enjoyed a circular route that saw us camping high in the mountains behind Carnedd Llewelyn. We had the full variety of weather but spent most of the time in thick cloud which was ideal for the navigation skills. There was snow on the tops and our night nav was done entirely in thick cloud and snow. We woke up to warm sunshine this morning which turned to heavy snow by about 9:00am! We were down for lunch and spent this afternoon doing a river crossing and then individual debriefs. A great couple of days bringing an end to a great week - thanks boys! 

ML Training

Today I have been out in Cwm Idwal with my ML training group looking at security on steep ground. We used the ground either side of the slabs to look at managing a group in steeper mountain terrain, moving on from yesterday which was a "Quality Mountain Day" as defined by MLT. We traversed Lliwedd from Pont Bethania using a combination of macro and micro navigation skills. The next two days are out on camp in the Carneddau. 

ML Training

For the second day of the ML training course we have been joined by friend and fellow instructor Paul Poole. We spent the day looking at the use of the rope within the context of the ML scheme in the sunshine on the Horns. It has been another lovely day with a fresh wind and warm sunshine. 

Mountain Leader Training

I am running a Mountain Leader training course here in Snowdonia this week. I have been joined by Gary, Mark, Martin, Brett & Mick and today we spent the day looking at navigation skills in Cwm Fynnon. It started off snowing but turned into a lovely afternoon with lots of nice sunshine - a cracking day! 

North Ridge of Tryfan

Today Julia, Anton, Pozz and I headed up the North Ridge of Tryfan. We posed on the Canon and enjoyed warm sunshine all the way up. The clouds were coming in as we ate lunch on the summit but we avoided the snow until we were back in Cwm Bochclwyd, there is a nice dusting of white up there again now.