Some Personal Climbing at Last

Finally managed to sneak out for half a day of climbing in the Dinorwig Slate Quarries. I used to climb here a lot when I first started climbing 25 years ago and the quarries are still very special to me. I'm not sure whether the 'sports' routes that have appeared in the quarries in recent years have enhanced the place, as I haven't climbed a decent one yet. We stuck to a couple of Slate classics, Seamstress and Seams the Same - both first climbed by a young Steve Haston in about 1982. I've climbed both previously, several times but it was nice to do them again after about 6 years.

Duchy AITP Wales 23/24 Feb

Two days out in the Moelwyns. The mist was down and it rained lots. Most of the guys and their kit got wet. We bumped into a large group of RAF trainees, who camped near us last night, then saw 3 guys out running (mad fools!) My group managed an ascent of Moel Siabod, despite 20m visibility, strong winds and lots of rain - well done guys! Rest day tomorrow, before ML Training next week - yippee!

Duchy AITP Wales 22 Feb

Back on Snowdon after a long time away. Couldn't see much as the mist was in and it was a wee bit chilly. Wet, sugary snow on the summit, along with the usual collection of tourists wearing inappropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions. Helped a couple of guys out who couldn't find the path ("our gps says we are only 40m from the summit"). The PYG track is not the best descent from the mountain due to footpath repair work. Going camping tomorrow.

Duchy AITP North Wales 21 Feb

It's a return to my old stomping grounds of North Wales for the next 2 weeks. The students are here to further their mountaineering knowledge and experiences in preparation for their ML Training course next week. 6 of us headed out from Capel Curig onto the Glyderau ridge before heading across to the Carneddau. We covered around 15km, with lots of up and down. Most of this was in the mist, but luckily for us we walked through the mist onto the summits and caught glimpses of Tryfan in the distance.

Out on the Cribbar 17 Feb

Today I paddled out to have a look at the Cribbar, the legendary mysto big wave at the end of Towan Headland, Newquay. Been wanting to get a closer look at this wave for a long time now, and hope to eventually surf it. Swells this week have been relentless, with breaking waves consistently double overhead in size. A long paddle out from the old lifeboat station launch ramp, then a battle with the cross headland rip got me close to the outer peak, however, the swell dropped as the tide pushed in and the outer peak stopped working. Oh well, at least the sun was out. The good thing was that I was happy to be out there amongst it all. New arms please.

Duchy AITP Climbing - Vicarage Cliff 08 Feb

Today dawned crisp and clear. With only 4 students to look after and a favourable tide, it was off to the Culm coast and the little slab at Vicarage Cliff. Its a great venue, although we had to wait for the tide to drop a bit and the wind picked up, making climbing difficult. Still it was all good fun with the guys now running under their own steam - selecting a suitable climb from the guidebook, locating and climbing it, constructing a safe belay, then getting off the crag safely. All was going well until rain stopped play - boo! Forecast crap for tomorrow.

Rain. Rain, Go Away!

Weather horrid this morning. Off to the Dart Rock Climbing Centre with 6 Duchy College students and fellow instructor, Mosseeee, to crank on some plastic.

Damp Dewerstone 04 Feb 2011

Guess what? yeap, climbing again :-). This time it was off to The Dewerstone on the edge of south Dartmoor. Tucked away up the wooded Plym valley, this crag is the best inland crag in Devon. Loads of quality routes to go at (although not many above E2), including Central Groove, Leviathan, Mucky Gully, Spiders Web and Climbers Club Direct. I had a couple of Duchy College students to look after, both of whom climb well, but have little experience of climbing outside. We opted to climb the "Classic Rock" route, Climbers Club Ordinary, graded VS 4b. Classic Rock is the companion book to Hard Rock and lists various climbs around the country that are special for many reasons. Our route choice for the day is one of those routes. Despite being damp, we launched ourselves up the route, which started with a serious traverse, then a steep wall, followed by a steep crack and then a layback groove. A bloody good effort for 1935, when it was first done! The lads did well, although they found the damp rock and exposure difficult to cope with. Big smiles on the top, though.

Duchy OITP Climbing 03 Feb

Up on Hawks Tor in very windy weather (at least it dried the crag out after the previous day's rain. These guys are on the first rung of the instructor ladder and are looking forward to starting work this Spring, so were brushing up on their rigging skills and personal climbing. Weather not looking good for Friday, but at least there's something decent on the telly - C'mon England!!

Duchy AITP Dartmoor Expedition 01-02 Feb

Out on the Moor for a couple of days, including a night under canvas (well, plastic). This trip was designed to test the organisational, instructional and mountaineering skills of the guys and girls on the Advanced Instructor Training Programme by giving them a group of students to look after . The weather was fabulous on day one, affording great views of the rolling moorland and dramatic Tors. The students spent the day teaching navigation strategies and mountain safety to their peers, before setting up camp and then heading out after dark for some night navigation practise. Day two dawned with damp things - yeap, it was wet and miserable! More navigation practise practise in misty conditions meant that everyone had to work hard to keep us on the right path! All too soon, we were back at the minibus and heading back to the College.