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.