All sorts

Many apologies for not updating the blog for nearly 3 weeks now. It has partly been due to dashing around the country doing stuff. I had a fab week in the Peak District with Duchy College. The weather was cold but dry and we spent 4 magnificent days on the Grit at Birchens, Stanage, The Roaches and Froggatt. Since then, its been climbing on Bodmin Moor, kayaking at Fowey, coasteering and surfing in Newquay and some down time to catch up on the admin! It was very cold in Cornwall today. In fact the weather put paid to kayaking plans today. Strong westerlies, coupled with spring tides meant a day checking climbing equipment. I'm off to the Lake District next week with the Air Cadets. Lets hope the weather improves!

ML Training - Day 3

This run of dry, cold weather is unbelievable! When will it end? We've been out in the northern part of the Moelwyns, polishing navigation and leadership skills. The hills still look fab. Security on steep ground and technical rope work tomorrow.

ML Training - Day 2

Guess what? Yeap, its another stunning day in Snowdonia! We've spent the day micro-navigating around the Moelwyns and making an ascent of Cnicht. Views from the summit were some of the best I've ever had in 25 years of mountaineering in Wales! All the way out to the Lleyn and around Cardigan Bay. Snowdon and the other peaks looking majestic, almost alpine like. On our way around the humps and bumps, the guys and girls discovered Robbie Williams hiding in a natural shelter. (See photo). We are all hoping that these conditions last until the weekend. More hills tomorrow - Yippee!

ML Training - Day 1

Conditions in Wales couldn't be better. Blue skies and light winds, along with snowy tops meant that the views of Snowdon are spectacular. I have been helping run a Summer Mountain Leader Training course with Rick Abbott MIC. Day one today, and the candidates have had a gentle start to the course, gaining insight into the mountain environment and navigation.

Wales Part 2

Yeap, I'm in North Wales again. Working for Duchy College on their Advanced Instructor Training Programme. Had an easy drive up, but it was a long one. Thats the trouble with speed limited minibuses! Someone should hurry up and invent the teleport, just like in Star Trek.

Fun on the White Stuff

Mark Garland and I managed to sneak in a half days winter climbing in Cwm Idwal on Saturday. The weather was fabulous, with blue skies and virtually no wind. However, the same couldnt be said for the ice etc. After much wandering about, we decided to climb Idwal Stream (grade II). Unfortunately, it wasn't fully frozen so we had to skirt around the main pitches to avoid getting wet!! I am now back in Cornwall for the rest of the week. Hopefully I'll get a surf in.

Cold Camping

I've just got back from a cold night's camping in the Moelwyns. Theres plenty of snow about and it keeps coming! We made life a little easy for the students by allowing them to follow a fence/boundary line for most of the day, before pitching camp. For many of them, this was their first winter camping experience - it was a fast learning curve!