Busy,busy,busy

Many apologies, but I know its been a while since my last post. I had to dash up to Cumbria to give lectures to the pupils of Sedbergh School before heading back to Cornwall to work with students from Duchy College. Last week I spent 5 days instructing a couple of guys in preparation for their SPA Training. Wasn't it cold last week? Still, we managed to get some good, if easy climbs done at Halldrine Cove, Bosigran and Trewavas Head. Going to keep it short and just post some piccys as iI need to get things sorted for next week. More Climbing for me!

Found - a semi dry crag in Wales

Its another wet day in Snowdonia, so my mates, Chris and the Mincer, and I headed out to the coast to check out some of our old haunts from 15 years ago. This little crag is nicely situated in a pub carpark and the routes were orginally climbed by Andy Pollit ages ago. It now sports several bolted routes, which given the very wet and compact rock, were a God send. Nice to know I can still climb E1 5b (or F6a for you sporty types) in the wet.

We also checked out a recently developed crag not far from Colwyn Bay. The lines looked good, but unfortunately it was dripping wet. Reckon it would be a nice place to climb in the evening after work

Wet Wet Wales

Well, I got all excited about ice climbing in Wales, especially with the recent wintery conditions, but, having driven up the road for 7 hours, I arrived at the start of a major thaw - bummer! A few lucky souls had managed to get up the Devil's Appendix in Cwm Idwal before the freezing level shot up above the summits. So rapid was the thaw that there was a full depth avalanche on the western slopes of Y Garn. It has got warmer (and wetter) throughout the day, accompanied by strong southerly winds. Certainly not the right conditions to go ice climbing. I shall be meeting some friends over the weekend, so maybe I'll go climbing at Gogarth instead.

Dartmoor Wanderings

Had a great day wandering around the Sourton area with some guys practising their navigation skills. The temperature rose gently throughout the day, but there is stil plenty of snow, and if you believe the weathermen, there's more on the way tomorrow!

Possibilities

Yet another cold day with a raw north easterly wind down here in Cornwall. Many of the minor roads are still covered with ice, making travelling by car a slow process. I ventured out to see if I could get down to Watergate Bay, access for which is down one of 3 steepish roads. Fortunately, all roads were clear of ice and I was able to nip into the surf for an hour or so. (2-3 foot and a bit bumpy due to a northerly wind and poor sandbanks). I also checked out some of the icefalls that had formed on cliffs at the back of the bay. If this weather continues, I'll have to get my axes out!

Constantine Icebreaker

Well I managed to get over to Constantine Bay, despite the icy roads, for a surf this afternoon. It was 3-4 foot on a dropping tide, with the occasional bigger set. It was a little bumpy as there was some north to the wind, but it was fun! A handful of other hardy souls joined me out on the Point, including local soul man, Nelly Erskine, who was shredding. Boobies looked good too.

The Ice Box

Brrrrrr! It was minus 8 here last night, the coldest its been in years. Fortunately there has been no more fresh snow over night. I am going to wait until later before I attempt to go surfing. Its 3-4 feet and cleanish and the sun is shining! Thank God for 5mm neoprene!

Here we snow again

Well, its day 3 of snow here in Cornwall. Many schools and businesses are closed and the council is running out of grit for the roads. The snow showers are fairly localised, so even though it may be clear where you are, just down the road could be 2-3 inches worth! I managed to get across Bodmin Moor to Duchy College and back on Tuesday and Wednesday without too much hastle. (That must have been due to my 3 years living in the Highlands!) I am stuck at home with the kids at the moment, so no climbing for me - not that there's much winter climbing to be had down this way. The temperature needs to be well below freezing at sea level for any of the coastal waterfalls to freeze. Still, the charts are looking good for surf tomorrow. Let's hope the wind doesn't swing too far round to the North.

Stay safe out there