Dolmen Ridge

I have been out with Martin & Justin again today and they had Dolmen Ridge on the main cliff of Glyder Fach on their hit list. We used the day to look at maintaining flow whilst roped scrambling and there was a pleasant breeze to keep us from over-heating. Its been another scorcher though!

Crib Goch in the sunshine

For the second day of our intro to scrambling course I took the team along Crib Goch in perfect weather, blue skies, sunshine and no wind. The air clarity was amazing with far reaching views to Ireland and mid Wales - incredible.

Intro to Scrambling

I have been out with Martin, Justin, Chris and Beth and assisted by Rob today for the first day of our intro to scrambling course. We headed up the North Ridge of Tryfan which we used for lots of movement coaching and risk assessment skills before ascending Bristly Ridge to put it all into practice. It has been another stunning day!

ML Training Camp

I have been out in the Molewyns for the last couple of days with the ML trainees, it has been pretty hot but has been dry giving great weather for wild camping up high. Thanks also to everyone on my mailing list for a terrific response to the Patagonia trip and sorry to those that I have had to turn down as I have had more bookings than spaces.

Security on Steep Ground

It has been a little damp in Snowdonia today, I took the boys and girls on our ML Training course into Cwm Idwal where we spent the day looking at the use of the rope within the ML syllabus. We had a great day despite the sub-optimal conditions and are now planning our mini-expedition for the next couple of days!

Thank You

Hi Rob, Just a quick email to say a big thank you for your clear and professional instruction on the lead to lead scramble course last week.

It was a great balance of learning and fun which will stand me in good stead for my forthcoming alpine trip and other future adventures.

Cheers - Matt - Advanced Scrambling Learn to Lead - July 2014

Crib Goch

It has been a stunning day in Snowdonia and I took the ML trainees up onto Crib Goch for the first of two days looking at security on steep ground. We used the East Ridge and Crib Goch itself to look at the many skills involved in looking after clients on steep ground that ML's may encounter in a hillwalking day and then dropped into Cwm Glas, returning via the Foxes Path to look at steep scree, grass and finally descent on rock. A superb day out and a contrast to yesterdays wet weather, thankfully I timed it right with an admin day whilst Sam took the trainees navigating on the Glyderau!

Mountain Leader Training

Today has been the first day of a Mountain Leader Training course and I have been joined by Lilly, Ken, Sol and Phil for the 6 day course. We started the week looking at navigation and leadership skills including passing those skills onto other people and were based on the SW of Snowdon. It was a tad moist at times but didn't dampen the enthusiasm levels!

Rescues & Dogs

I have been out with SARDA Wales all day today doing some training with Skye. We were based above Bethgelert Forest and it was pretty damp by lunchtime. The change in weather also brought a rash of callouts with LLMRT so a busy day. 

Crevasse Rescue

Bryn, Dave and I headed into the sunny Llanberis Pass today and spent the day looking at the rope skills involved in glacier travel and crevasse rescue. The suncream was essential and so good training weather for the boys!

Evening Cragging

It was another beautiful evening last night and the "super moon" was looking great over Crib Goch as I enjoyed a social evenings climbing with Bryn, Al, Si & Mark.

Alpine Preparation

I have been joined for two days by Bryn and Dave who are heading to Chamonix on Sunday for their first Alpine trip. They are both competent climbers, happy at HVS on multi pitch ground and wanted to spend today looking at efficient use of the rope on mountaineering terrain as well as moving together, short pitches and the whole speed versus safety issues of this type of ground. We headed to main cliff on Glyder Fach and the boys lead up Dolmen Ridge (3) (with the alternative start shown in the new scrambling guidebook) with me giving tips and coaching alongside them. After lunch on the Glyders we descended the Gribin Ridge (1) and then descended the Cneifion Arete (3) to look at the same rope skills in descent. A great day moving efficiently over lots of ground.

Learning to Lead

Matt, Ben and I headed into Cwm Idwal this morning for the final day of our Advanced Scrambling Learn to Lead course. The boys lead up North West Face Route(2), into the Idwal Staircase (2) and then set up their own abseil to get down into Seniors Gully (1) which we followed to Cwm Cneifion. The boys then lead the Cneifion Arete (3) in great style to finish off a great 3 days - cheers boys!