Ml Training

Yesterday the boys headed up Cnicht for the second day of their ML Training. It is part of the syllabus that trainees get to head out with other instructors to ensure a range of opinions and views are covered and so they were out with my good friend Paul. Today I was back with them and we headed into Cwm Idwal looking at security on steep ground without the use of a rope. It has stayed dry all day and been gloriously sunny this afternoon so we were able to enjoy dry rock in our scrambling. We finished the day off with an evening tour of the Mountain Rescue Base to give the boys an idea of what happens behind the scenes in a rescue context and how they can of assistance of they need to call a rescue to their group as well as common mistakes to be avoided.

Mountain Leader Training

I have been joined by Andrew, Richard, Robert and Colin for a Mountain Leader Training course here in Snowdonia. Today was spent introducing the scheme, looking at mountain weather forecasting and micro navigation skills in Cwm Tregallan. We had a giggle at the out of place work signs that seemed very odd in such a wild location, the National Trust are installing a hydro electric installation and the signs have been placed as part of the project. There has been a track built for the diggers to gain access and of course a couple of diggers are also parked up there. One signpost pointed the route to Lliwedd which whilst another pointed pedestrians to the only bridge to cross the stream. (Neither of which have been changed by the work) A case of stating the obvious but in a way that somehow intruded as much as the heavy machinery.

There has been a massive ride in temperature and lots of rain and so the mountains are being stripped of snow causing the rivers to burst their banks and adding real atmosphere to the day!

Scrambling Skills

Ric and I headed into Cwm Idwal today where we progressed the skills we looked at yesterday to include some basic kit such as slings and krabs to protect grade II scrambling ground. We spent time looking at selecting and using anchors, gave Ric a simple system that could be repeated in a short pitch scenario and also looked at abseiling. It stayed mainly dry all day and the warmer temperatures mean the snow is slowly melting.

East Face of Tryfan

I have been joined for a couple of days by repeat client Ric who is preparing for a trip to Skye and wanted to spend the day on steeper scrambling ground looking at use of a rope only for protection. We floundered our way upto and along the Heather Terrace in soft, deep and wet snow before gladly getting onto the rock of Bastow Gully Buttress (II/III). We scrambled up onto the North Ridge and then descended back into the floundery snow! We had some sleet this morning but it was dry this afternoon and it was a great day out.

Kilimanjaro

I have a couple of last minute spaces for Kilimanjaro in June of this year. I am taking a small team to climb the Western Breach, a grade 1 scrambling route to the summit of one of the worlds 7 summits. If you fancy joining us check out the link: http://www.expeditionguide.com/kilimanjaro.php

The last of winter

I have had a cancellation this week and so have unexpectedly had some days to myself. Yesterday I wandered up into Cwm Lloer with the dog and had a play on Broad Gully whilst today I headed up Sergeants Gully in Cwm Glas. The snow has got very soft and moist and there was a lot of running water behind the ice in Sergeants Gully - so much so that I fell through the ice at one point. It finally feels like spring is on the way but wow, what a winter we have enjoyed. A very big thanks to all of the people that have shared it with me - its been superb and of course emotional!

Beautiful morning ski on Snowdon

It has been another stunning day here in Snowdonia. I headed to the summit of Snowdon and skied back down this morning to be home for lunch! The afternoon has been spent playing in the sunshine in the garden with the kids. A perfect day!

Italy and home

Dave and I headed from Chamonix to Italy and enjoyed a trip upto the Refugio Benevolo in the Gran Paradiso National Park. We climbed Gran Vaidala (3250m) from the hut and enjoyed a great ski all the way back to the car before starting the epic drive back home. I am now home in Wales and the weather is the same as Italy, blue skies and snow capped mountains - superb!

Valley Blanche in the sun

Dave and I have enjoyed another amazing day of skiing off piste here in Chamonix. We caught the lift up to the Aiguille de Midi and skied the Valley Blanche. This is a world famous back country ski descent that winds its way from 3800m all the way down to the valley floor, giving 17km of descent through some stunning glacial terrain and surrounded by world class peaks. We had blue skies and sunshine and the valley was big enough to cope with the popularity of the choice on a fresh powder day with stunning weather over a bank holiday weekend!

Fresh Powder on the Grand Montets

Dave and I made the most of a serious dump of fresh snow here in Chamonix by spending the day skiing the powder off piste at the Grand Montets. It was still snowing this morning but the sun came out as the day went on to give an amazing day.

Video from the Silvretta Last Week

Ski Touring in the Silvretta

I have spent the last week in Austria with my friend and climbing partner Dave. We intended to come to the Alps to climb but the snow that has hit the UK has also been falling across the Alps and so our intended routes were buried! A last minute change of plan saw us head to Austria and we have spent the week ski touring in the Silvretta. Having never been before we were massively impressed with the super friendly huts, wonderful snow and beautiful mountains. We ticked off a couple of great summits and had some champagne powder days which were incredible. Now to make plans for the second week!

Off to the Alps

I am heading off to the Alps this weekend which is a little ironic considering the amount of snow that we now have here in Wales! I will be away until the 7th April and so will be out of touch until then. 

Rescue on Snowdon

I normally avoid blogging about rescues but am making an exception because as a Rescue Team we want to spread the word about the sheer amount on snow that will be on Snowdon this coming Easter. Here is a short film that I made on a callout today.

Winter 2014

I have had some requests for dates for winter 2014 so have put some together in expectation of another great season! You can view them here: http://www.expeditionguide.com/diary.php
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page)

One of the winter mountaineering courses is already full but all other courses have lots of spaces at the moment so if you want to have some fun to look towards get booked on!

All the best


Rob

Moonlighting

I am back in Wales and we have had a good dump of snow over the weekend. Today I headed out with Simon who is on my instructor mentor scheme and fancied some winter climbing. We headed into Cwm Lloer and climbed Moonlighting (IV/V, 5), we followed that route for 3 pitches but the top (crux ice) pitch was not there so we put a left hand variation in to take us to the top of the buttress. The first pitch of the route gave some nice ice, We then rapped down Broad Gully to our sacks and dog at the bottom! The fresh snow is deep and is no use for climbing, the crags are not riming because this Easterly wind is so dry but ice is forming low down and the ridges will currently give good sport. A cracking bonus day out!