Mountain Routes

I have ben out with regular client and friend Tim today who originally booked for a day rock climbing. The weather suggested an alternative plan might be a good idea and so we donned big boots and climbed Main Gully Ridge (2/3) on the Main Cliff, Glyder Fach. It was very atmospheric as the thunder rolled its way around the Cwm and the lightening flashed above us, I have never been so wet with the monsoon like downpours that we had. We survived and made a descent down the Gribin Ridge as the sun started to make an appearance to dry us out! 

Steep Ground Day

I have been joined for the day by Simon who has recently joined my trainee instructor mentor scheme. Simon is looking for a change of career to work in the outdoors and having sat down in the cafe this morning to chat through hopes and aspirations we decided to head out and look at some navigation and security on steep ground skills in preparation for his Mountain Leader Award. we headed unto the Glaslyn Bowl on Snowdon and picked a line that follows the old miners path onto Bwlch Y Saethau and then we descended the Gribin Ridge. We finished the day with some bouldering at the RAC boulders, just for fun. 

Trashing the arms

It has been a wet and wild day here in Snowdonia so the boys and I decided to escape the weather and trash our arms by heading to the climbing wall. We made the most of the time by coaching movement, getting the boys to push their grade whilst on the lead and staying dry in the process! Thanks chaps for a great week. 

Llanberis Pass

Andy, Jonathan and I headed back into the Llanberis Pass today, this time to get the boys doing some leading for themselves in a single pitch setting. We spent a bit of time looking at placing gear for protection and building belays before the boys lead a couple of routes, each time arranging an abseil retreat off the crag for themselves. We managed to stay dry all day too which was a bonus!  

Tryfan Dash!

The Tryfan Downhill Dash from ben pritchard on Vimeo.

At the seaside

Andy, Jonathan and I have been playing on the sea cliffs today. We started off at Rhoscolyn where we climbed Symphony Crack (V Diff) which is a great introduction to sea cliff climbing. We then stepped it up a bit by climbing Lighthouse Arete Direct (Vs4c) in 4 pitches with the boys simu-leading throughout. It has been another gorgeous day in paradise!

Cragging in the Pass

Andy, Jonathan and I headed into the Llanberis Pass today and had another lovely day climbing in the sunshine. We started off on Crackstone Rib (S4a) and then moved onto Skylon (HS 4b). We rounded the day off with a bouldering session at the RAC boulders to look at some movement coaching. A cracking day! 

Tennis Shoe, Idwal Slabs

I have been joined for the week by Andy & Jonathan for a learn to lead climbing course here in Snowdonia. It has been a lovely day and we started the week in great style by climbing Tennis Shoe on the Idwal Slabs (HS 4a). We broke the route into 7 pitches and did lots of teaching along the way with enough of a breeze to keep the midgies at bay and some nice warm sunshine, beautiful! 

Scrambling in the rain

It has been pretty wet today here in Snowdonia but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the team as we headed into Cwm Idwal this morning. We wanted a day on grade 1 ground without going too high as its also been pretty windy and so used the ground around the Idwal Slabs to look at steep ground risk management, movement skills in the wet and how to use the rope to solve simple problems. It felt like coasteering on the way up Seniors Gully! 

North Ridge of Tryfan

I have been joined by Esther, Adrian, Steve & Sean for a two day intro to scrambling course. Today we headed up the North Ridge of Tryfan and looked at movement skills and route finding on grade 1 ground in ascent and in descent. We stayed dry all day despite a damp forecast and had a great day out. 

Photography Day

I have been out with professional photographer Ade Groom today. Ade has been out with me for the last two days on my navigation course and wanted to spend today putting his skills to use to get some landscape shots here in Snowdonia. This was great for me as I was able to tap into his professional knowledge and get some top tips whilst he worked. I took a couple of snaps but can't wait to see his finished products - he works in film so there will be an old school wait! 

On the Carneddau

Today we headed up Pen Yr Ole Wen and Carnedd Dafydd for the second day of our navigation and hill skills course. It has stayed warm and sunny all day and we enjoyed some fine views as we put the skills we had learnt yesterday into a contextual mountain journey. A lovely day out, thanks boys and girls! 

Navigation & Hill Skills

I have been joined by Magdelena, Charlotte, Helen, Adrian, Matt and Chris for a navigation and hill skills course here in Snowdonia. It has been a lovely day with a light breeze to keep away the midges and some nice spells of sunshine. We headed up the Watkin Path and into Cwm Tregallan to look at micro navigation skills - nice to be back in the hills!