Lavu Expedition

For the last two days of our snowshoe expedition here in Norway the team and I enjoyed an overnight in a Lavu. Supported by a team of Huskies we snowshoed a circular route over 2 days, taking in some 1200m summits along the way and enjoying stunning weather. It was minus 30 overnight, and -16 in the tent so glad of the warm sleeping bag. A cracking end to a stunning trip, thanks all!

The ice looks great for this weeks forthcoming ice climbing course in Rjukan so fingers crossed the sun stays put.

Snow and Sunshine in Norway

We are enjoying some wonderful weather here in Norway with temperatures around -15c, clear skies and sunshine. We have spent the last couple of days exploring the local mountains, planting a summit flag(!), building a snow shelter, fishing through the ice and meeting the husky team. Last night was spent in the snow shelter whilst today the team have been learning how to mush and putting their new skills to action on the frozen lake. 

Norwegian Snowshoe Expedition

I am in Norway now and we arrived with a good dump of fresh snow yesterday. We spent the first day climbing a beautiful nearby summit and enjoyed some lovely cold, crisp weather with no wind. 

Off to Norway

I have had a fairly relaxed week this week. I spent the weekend doing some Avalanche training for the Llanberis MRT and SARDA Wales and was then working with regular client Simon in the climbing wall on Monday. Tuesday was a wash out but Wednesday gave some nice light for some filming for a small film that I am putting together on a year in the mountains.

I am now off to Norway for 2 weeks so will report back as and when I get an internet connection. 

Ski Touring in Snowdonia Video

Ski Touring in Snowdonia

It has been a stunning day here in Snowdonia. To make the most of it I headed up Pen Yr Helgi Du for some ski touring. It was a popular option with good tracks on the way up and half a dozen other skiers about. The views were stunning and the ski down gave some good fun, I was able to ski car to car which is brilliant! A short film will follow later. 

Cleft Gully, Clogwyn Du

I headed upto Clogwyn Du in Cwm Cneifion today with friends Bryn and Simon. We climbed Cleft Gully (V,6). A lack of ice on the first pitch meant it was a bit more mixed than the guide book suggests is normal but nonetheless a fun route. It was pretty claggy today with no views and lots of windblown snow, nice and cold though. 

Video of Arch Gully

Arch Gully, Glyder Fach

I headed out with friend Huw today for some climbing to make the most of the conditions here in Wales. The day started off overcast but became a blue sky stunner. We climbed Arch Gully (V,6) on Glyder Fach which to our mind was as good as anything we climbed last week in Scotland. Awesome!
Thanks to Huw for the photos of me.

Conditions are great at the moment for mixed climbing and the ice is also beginning to form now - fingers crossed! 

Snow in Wales

I am home now after a great couple of weeks in Scotland. There is plenty of snow here in Snowdonia so I look forward to more sledging with the kids tomorrow.

Savage Slit

It has been another stunning day here in Scotland. I teamed up with friend Huw and we headed East to the Cairngorms. Our route for the day was Savage Slit (V,6) which has been on my ticklist for some time and was great fun. The conditions suited the route well, the fresh snow made for a bit of hard work cleaning out gear placements but otherwise it was all good - another great day in the mountains!

Aonach Eagach Winter Traverse - Video

Aonach Eagach

Wow, what a day! We headed down Glen Coe today and traversed the Aonach Eagach ridge on our winter mountaineering course. I teamed up with Martin & Charlie whilst Huw took Neal and Tim. It has been a real stunner although trail breaking through deep unconsolidated snow was fairly hard work! 

Winter Mountaineering

I have been joined for 3 days by Charlie, Tim, Neil and Martin for a winter mountaineering course here in Scotland. Today was run at a 1:4 ratio before we are joined by fellow instructor Huw for the next two days. We spent the day looking at the skills required to tackle grade 1 routes including snow anchors, body belays, abseiling and also refreshed some winter skills. There has been more fresh snow overnight and through the day and it has been a beautiful day between the snow showers.