In the Alps

I have been joined for the last two days by regular client and friend Charlie for some private guiding in Switzerland. Charlie is preparing for is IML and is also joining my Arolla to Zermatt trek next week. We based ourselves in Zermatt and yesterday climbed Pfulroe (3265m) and then enjoyed a bivvy at 2600m overlooking the Matterhorn. Today we climbed the Oberrothorn (3414m), both peaks were new to me and gave some great views of the surrounding 4000m peaks. My eldest lad Josh has also joined us in our mini adventure. Off to Arolla tomorrow.

 

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Off to the Alps

I am heading out to the Alps today until the 9th September, email and blogs will be sporadic so bear with me if you need to get in touch. 

Advanced Scrambling

I have been joined for two days by Tracy and Duncan for an advanced scrambling course. Unfortunately Tracy arrived on crutches after a training day on Tryfan yesterday! Duncan and I therefore headed out as a pair and climbed North West Face Route, the Idwal Staircase and the Cneifion Arete. The rock got dryer and the day sunnier as it went on and we had a lovely day out in the mountains. We may delay tomorrow to give Tracy time to heal! 

RAF Valley

We had a nice afternoon at RAF Valley yesterday, enjoying the hospitality offered to all of the local MR Teams and their families. A big thanks to all at C Flight for all of the hard work, the kids loved the helicopter displays, police car rides, jousting, face painting and the sunshine - they even managed to summit Everest!

Looking set for a good winter

It looks like we could be in for another good winter :-)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-19288822

Filming on Snowdon

I spent most of yesterday with an ITV film crew and Caroline Quentin for a forthcoming program on the Snowdonia National Park. The weather was better than forecast and the team were happy with the end product so a nice day out! 

Cragging in the Pass

I had a lovely evening cragging in the Llanberis Pass this evening with friends Bryn & Paul. We climbed Ribstone Crack and enjoyed some lovely evening light - the midges were a bit harsh though by the end of the evening so we were forced to retreat to the pub!

ML Ropework Day

I have been out with Matt today who is on my instructor mentor scheme. Matt wanted to spend the day looking at ML Ropework and so we headed up to Pen Y Pass and put him through his paces. It was wet this morning but brightened up nicely as the day went on. I forgot my camera so no photos I am sorry. We had a busy weekend with the Rescue Team and the Search Dogs so I am all set for a couple of days off now. 

An inspirational character

Hamish MacInnes from John Sutherland on Vimeo.

ML Camp - Stunning

We had a stunning night for our ML Training wild camp last night, enjoy the photos:

Ropework for ML

On day four of the ML training course we have spent the day looking at the use of the rope within the syllabus of the ML. We based ourselves in the Llanberis Pass and enjoyed another beautiful day of sunshine, the crags all had climbers on them but were by no means busy and the rock was warm and dry. Lovely! 

North Ridge of Tryfan

On day three of the ML Training course I am running this week we headed up the North Ridge of Tryfan and down West Gully. We spent the day looking at the skills required to coach and look after clients on steep ground, upto grade 1, in ascent and descent. It has been another lovely warm and dry day - we are being spoilt! 

Mountain Leader Training

I have been joined by Mirriam, Sarah, Andy, Mark, Paul & Martyn for the week this week on a Mountain Leader training course here in Snowdonia. Yesterday we headed onto the South side of the Glyders and spent the day looking at micro navigation skills and transferring these skills to clients. Today we headed up Y Garn and Foel Goch looking at macro navigation skills for the Mountain Leader, Group Leadership skills, the environment and improvised rescues. 

Just a couple of photos

From last nights training session with LLMRT in the Pass a couple of photos showing the lovely evening light. 

Great article from Nick

This is a great article on climbing and its need for characters from Nick Bullock: http://nickbullock-climber.co.uk/writing/whatever-happened-to/

I checked out the new Beacon Climbing Wall last night and would recommend it for anyone looking for a wet weather or dark evening escape! A brilliant facility giving 19m routes that are properly tiring! http://www.beaconclimbing.com/section.php/2/1/climbing-centre