Anglesey in the sunshine

The boys and I met in Llanberis this morning and went shopping to start our day since they each wanted to invest in a rack for their own climbing adventures. Shopping done we headed to Anglesey and abseiled down into Castell Helen at Gogarth which is always good value, full of atmosphere and excitement. We climbed Lighthouse Arete (Direct) in 4 pitches, which is a great first sea cliff VS and after a late lunch headed to Holyhead Mountain where we put some of their shiny new kit to good use.

Grooved Arete, Tryfan

It has been another stunning day here in Snowdonia and Steve, Chris and I made the most of it by choosing a big mountain route to contrast with yesterdays dragging. We picked Grooved Arete on Tryfan which is a real classic - for a reason. It gives 8 pitches of climbing all about V Diff and with ever increasing exposure. We then enjoyed the North Ridge in descent, a great day out.

Five Day Learn to Lead Climbing Course

I have been joined by Steve and Chris who are both regular faces and great company for a week of rock climbing here in Snowdonia. We kicked off the week in the sunshine of the Llanberis Pass with three quality ticks in the form of Wrinkle (V Diff), Crackstone Rib (S) and Skylon (HS), giving some nice progression, warm rock and smiles!

Navigation & First Aid

This weekend has been a busy one, I have been out all weekend on a First Aid course whilst Huw has been running our mountain skills course. We also managed to hook up Saturday night for a climb although the rather moist weather meant it turned into an arm destroying bouldering session! I am rock climbing all week this week so fingers crossed for lots of nice April sunshine.

Rob,

Thanks for the weekend of Navigation & Hill Skills. I learnt so much during the two days and it was all in the good company of other like minded people. The success of the weekend was in most part down to our instructor Huw. His relaxed and friendly style combined with his knowledge ensured that we were onto a winner.

I look forward to doing further courses with you in the future.

kind regards,
Steve Fong. Mountain Skills Course, April 2014

Out with Trail Magazine

I have been out with Ben and Tom from Trail magazine today for a forthcoming feature. We headed up NW Face Route in Cwm Idwal and onto the Cneifion Arete. It's always enjoyable work posing for the camera but especially so on this type of technical ground where we need to get the shots and I also need to look after the photographer's safety - Tom is super experienced though and doesn't take much looking after! A fun morning out.

Evening slate action

I have had a few days at home with the kids over the Easter holidays which has been really nice as the weather has been great. This evening though I was keen to get out climbing and managed grab Huw before he disappeared back to deepest darkest South Snowdonia. It was a bit wet when we met in the Pass so we headed to the slate quarries and by the time we got there the rock was dry. We warmed up on some sport routes and then each climbed Gnat Attack (E1 5b) before needing beer :-)

Working in the Outdoors

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Thank You

Hi Rob,

What a superb day yesterday, a stunning day out. We had amazing weather after a dodgy forecast and that route really does take some beating. It was great fun and I was so much better than when I attempted the 3000ers previously. I am hopeful that it may be third time lucky! Already contemplating a rematch.

Thanks again for a really brilliant day.

Jude - Welsh 3000 Challenge - April 2014

Welsh 3000's

Yesterday was our Welsh 3000 challenge, starting at 5:00am at Pen Y Pass. The words and photos are all courtesy of Huw: "We'll call it a 66% success rate; the Welsh 3000s attempt traversed two of the three mountain groups that were intended. It wouldn't be a challenge if it was easy though so well done to all for attempting it. With eight of the 3000s on route, Crib Goch to Tryfan is a big day out in it's own right and still an achievement to be proud of. Once the legs have stopped aching the planning for the re-match can begin!"

LLMRT needs your help

This year the team needs to raise a greatly elevated target of £100,000. The ever increasing number of rescues, changes in base and replacement of off road vehicles means that this target is dramatically different from years before. The team is voluntary and relies entirely on donations and fundraising. Can you help us reach our goal and help us save lives on Snowdon. Please text a donation to LMRT14 then amount (£1-£10) to 70070 or for larger amounts go to our websitehttp://www.llanberismountainrescue.co.uk/donate 

Navigation Weekend

Huw has been out today running our mountain navigation and skills course this weekend. The Eastern end of the Glyderau provided 'off track' navigation and solace from the Easter crowds yesterday. The weekend could turn out to be good training for tomorrow as we are running our Welsh 3000's and the start of the day looks a little grey, OK later on though: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/snowdon-summit-gwynedd#?tab=fiveDay&fcTime=1397948400

Thoughts & Prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those who died yesterday on Everest and closer to home on Snowdon. Young lives lost in the mountains are always hard to reconcile and the tragedy will touch many of us within our small community.

Family fun on Tryfan

Whilst I was working on our advanced Scrambling course yesterday Huw was out with the Angers family on Tryfan. As well as just setting out to have a good time scrambling around in the Easter sunshine there have hopefully been some skills learned and refreshed that will stand them in good stead during mountain adventures to come.

Good Friday

I took Julia and Stewart up the Clogwyn Y Person Arete onto Carnedd Ugain today where we briefly joined the masses who were out enjoying Crib Goch in this beautiful Easter sunshine. We soon left them behind again though as we descended the little frequented North Ridge of Cwm Glas to give another excellent days scrambling in more stunning weather.

Advanced Scrambling Course

I have been joined by Stewart and Julia for the next couple of days and today saw us head up Dolmen Ridge (3), down Bristly Ridge (1) and up the Cneifion Arete (3) today on day one of our advanced scrambling course. It has been a bit cooler with a fresh NW wind which is nice for my sunburnt bald head :-)

Climbing in the Pass

I had a day off yesterday and spent the morning indoors catching up on admin but then had a lovely walk with the kids in the afternoon followed by some evening cragging with Bryn in the the Llanberis Pass (Mabinogion E1 5c) and then a rescue team meeting so all in all a busy day.