Idwal Slabs

For the final day of our week of climbing we walked into Cwm Idwal in the sunshine. Unfortunately it then started to rain as we climbed Hope on the Slabs with Rich & Tracy leading alternate pitches, thankfully it dried up in time for the walkout!

Sunny Snowdonia

It has been another beautiful day here in the National Park. Richard, Tracy and I headed back into the Llanberis Pass and climbed the classics Crackstone Rib and Skylon in the warm sunshine. After a quick foot dip in the stream we then headed to the RAC boulders to finish the day off with some bouldering. A beautiful day.

Climbing in the Pass

Rich, Tracy and I were revelling in the sunshine today on the South facing crag of Dinas Cromlech in the Llanberis Pass. Tracy had put a special request in at the start of the week to climb Spiral Stairs and so we did - combining it with Flying Buttress to give a great 10 pitches of climbing through some stunning rock architecture.

Wild Seas

It was pretty wet and wild in the mountains again this morning but the sun always shines on Anglesey so thats were Rich, Tracy and I headed today. We abseiled into Castell Helen above some pretty wild seas, putting our belay into a higher spot than normal to avoid being engulfed by some huge waves. This only added to the atmosphere on what is always an atmospheric climb anyway, giving a truly adventurous feel as the fog horn blared away on the Lighthouse. After lunch we headed to Benllech and enjoyed some sport climbing by the beach and getting the pump on the steep limestone, another great day out.

Five day classic climbing course

I have been joined for the week by repeat clients Rich & Tracy to climb some of the classic rock routes here in Snowdonia. We have had a slightly sub-optimal start with gale force winds and heavy rain but the forecast does look a lot better for the rest of the week. We headed to Lion Rock first thing this morning as they wanted to look at rigging single pitch crags before the worst of the weather arrived. We then climbed classic plastic by heading to the Beacon Climbing Wall! Good preparation for the week ahead though.

Thank You

Hi Rob,
Just to say thank you for giving me such an amazing Five days climbing. I really feel I have progressed and gained in confidence, even if my body is battered! Huw took me to Angelsey today and we did three routes, ending with Shite Hawk Alley, one name I won't forget! The weather just got better and better with not one drop of rain.
Hope you have a great weekend and already looking forward to scrambling in July.
All the best,
Julia - 5 day climbing (Private Guiding) May 2015

Dolmen Buttress & Bristly Ridge

I have been out with Julia again today here in Snowdonia. Yesterday she was looked after by Huw as I ran a family climbing day on Anglesey and together they climbed Flying Buttress and Spiral Stairs on Dinas Cromlech in the Llanberis Pass.

Today we headed up Dolmen Ridge on the main cliff of Glyder Fach and descended Bristly Ridge, enjoining the ability to keep moving in a chilly Northerly wind. We enjoyed some warm sunshine out of the breeze and some lovely views.

Idwal Slabs

Juli and I have enjoyed the luxury of dry rock today for the second day of our rock climbing week. It was a definite bonus after yesterday and meant that Julie was cruising well as we journeyed up the Idwal Slabs, V Diff feeling a couple of grades easier than yesterday!

Amphitheatre Buttress

I have been joined for the week by Julia who has been out with me many times before on mountaineering courses in summer and winter. This week the plan is to progress into rock climbing and so we headed to a mountaineering style rock climb - Amphitheatre Buttress. This route is one of the longest in Snowdonia and today was pretty hard work because the low cloud meant it was rather damp! Julia rose to the challenge and climbed the route in good style - nice work!

Skye Scrambling 2015

This week I have been working on the beautiful Isle of Skye. I have been visiting the Cuillin Ridge every May since I was 17 years old and it never disappoints for drama, adventure and stunning scrambling. This year we faced some challenges with the weather and there were some long faces as we met on Sunday evening at the Sligachan, running from the car to the bar to escape the rain!

Nonetheless the first three days of the week were pretty kind to us, despite snow each day we ticked off some great routes including the traverse of Mhadaidh, Ghreadaidh and Banachdich , Inaccessible Pinnacle, Clac Glas-Blaven Traverse, Pinnacle Ridge, Sgurr Alasdair, Sgurr Mhic Choinnich and Bidein Drum nan Ramh. As the week drew on the weather deteriorated and so Thursday saw a variety of venues but with a theme of rock climbing in some sheltered spots to avoid the worst of the wind and the rain whilst on Friday we had a team ascent of The Spur in Coire a Mhadaidh. 

It was great to meet up with some old friends, share some drams and a night of live music in the Old Inn at Carbost and share some great adventures with lovely people. Thanks to all who came. :-)

Wow - Skiing in Scotland in May!

I am working on Skye this week coming, on our annual Skye scrambling course. Havering checked the forecast and seen pictures of people skiing this week I decided it was worth chucking the skis in the back and leaving a day or so early. I'm glad I did! The rain was hammering the window this morning but the thermometer was low so I had faith it would be falling as snow up high. 

I walked up into Stob Coire nan Lochain in Glencoe, skis on my back and decided to head up Dorsal Arête, skipping the fin at the top as my skis were acting like a big sail on my back in the crosswinds. 

I then dropped into Broad Gully for the ski descent. This is a descent I have wanted to do for some time but had written off for this year, I still can't believe I got to do it in May! The snow was a bit hard at the top but softened up nicely lower down and I was able to open up on the exit slopes. Superb!