Filming on Tryfan

I am working on a film project for the Snowdonia National Park at the moment and as a part of that I was up early to catch the sunrise on Tryfan - all didn't quite go to plan as you can read here: http://filmuphigh.com/early-morning-mountain/

I did get some great shots though!

Climbing by the sea

I have been out with John and Rob today who are on my trainee instructor mentor scheme and are working towards doing their MIA, whilst Huw has been out with the Mountaincraft course. The boys and I headed to Castell Helen this morning on Anglesey where they lead Lighthouse Arete Direct (VS4c) in 3 pitches with me alongside offering advice. After lunch we then headed to Rhoscolyn where they lead another VS, Truant. It has been another lovely day with warm sunshine - a real treat.

Mountaincraft Course

I have been joined by Caroline, Garlon, Tim and Nerys for our autumn Mountaincraft course here in Snowdonia. Over the 6 days they will look at navigation, scrambling, wild camping and general mountain skills and we kicked the week off looking at micro navigation skills on the back of Snowdon. It has been generally damp and claggy which is fine for teaching nav and it is still warm for the time of year. We rounded our day off with a tour of the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team base which has been busy with 3 rescues today.

Slick and Bent

They are the names of the climbs that we did today rather than any other reference to my day! Chris, Gareth and I headed to the Moelwyns, a part of the national park that I don't visit often enough as it is stunningly beautiful and the climbing is great too. It definitely feels like autumn is in the air, the light was playing nicely on the mountains and the colours are starting to become more vibrant. Another beautiful day of multi-pitch climbing in a week where we haven't got wet once - I would not have believed that looking at the forecast on Sunday night! Cheers boys.

Climbing on the Milestone

Gareth, Chris and I have headed to the Milestone Buttress in the Ogwen Valley today to progress their climbing as a self sufficient team. They lead Rowan Route and Pulpit Route for themselves with me alongside offering advice when needed - which wasn't very often at all as they are both super competent. They also arranged two abseils for themselves, recovering the rope successfully on the second one :-). It was dry all day and sheltered from the wind so it was a lovely day.

Castell Helen

The boys and I have been enjoying the sunshine on Anglesey today. We climbed Lighthouse Arete Direct on Castell Helen this morning and then headed over to Holyhead Mountain to look at gear placements and belay building this afternoon. It has been an absolute scorcher, welcome summer!

Tremadog

It has been a beautiful sunny day at Tremadog today and Gareth, Chris and I were climbing in T-Shirst - hard to believe after yesterdays damp and cold! We climbed Hail Bebe (V Diff) and Oberon (S) progressing the boys multi pitch climbing and abseiling skills and soaking up the sun - lovely!

Climbing on the Idwal Slabs

I have been joined for the week by regular clients Gareth and Chris for our 5 day learn to lead climbing course here in Snowdonia. Despite a misty, moist start to the day it actually stayed dry and we climbed on the Idwal Slabs to give a multi pitch start to our week, refreshing old skills and adding some new ones. The boys lead the scramble descent for themselves and we had the crag to ourselves.

Triglav Success

I have been in the Julian Alps of Slovenia this week with Adele, Rachel, Rick, Simon and fellow instructor Tarquin. Its been a superb week of lovely weather and mountaineering, although a tad colder than last year meaning there has been a bit more snow about. We kicked the week of with a 3 day journey to climb Triglav and neighbouring Kanjavec, staying at the Triglavski Dom and the Dolic Hutte along the way. A great effort all round - well done folks!

Having descended to the valley the team then climbed to the window on Prisojnik via its North Face, descending the South Face to give a brilliant round trip. Soak up the photos!