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I've been up in the Highlands for the last few day's battling with strong winds and deep snow. Day one was a very wintry ascent of the Fiacaill Ridge day two was up Sron a Ghoire (1001m) near Creag Meagaigh and today was a very wet and extremely windy ascent of Meall a Bhuachaille (810m) overlooking Glenmore Lodge (sorry no photos!!!!). Cairngorm day 1 Looking towards Creag Meagaigh Deep snow on the path into Coire Ardair

Looking towards Glyder Fawr (1001m) Rescue on Tryfan

I was out with my son today working on a photography assignment above Betws y Coed near Llyn Elsi.

Home at last. It was a long but uneventful journey back to North Wales, well, apart from the upgrade to business class from Kathmandu!!!!! Everyone made it to Everest Base Camp with fantastic weather, views, photos and memories. Here are some of the highlights, until next year:   The team outside the Hotel Yak and Yeti Tenboche Monastery  The team near the lunch spot at Thukla (4600m) Thukla (4600m) Everest Base Camp (5300m) Everest summit at sunset taken from Gorak Shep (5164m) Kangtega (6782m) from Pheriche A well earned drink in Lukla after a successful trip to Everest Base Camp

Kris looking after students on Rowan Route (Diff) Andy Owen on the Direct Route (VDiff) with a bit of artistic licence! Llyn Ogwen in all its splendor. It was a superb day in the mountains of Snowdonia today albeit a bit chilly in the shade but nonetheless a beautiful day to be out with cloudless skies and light winds. I was working on the second day of a combined AMI Trainee Workshop and the BMC Student Seminar based at Plas y Brenin.

It was a very damp start to the day but after a struggle up Yogi (S) the sun soon came out to dry the rock a bit so we went over to Oberon (S) after lunch. I was working with Glenn and Kris today on an AMI Trainee Workshop teaching multi-pitch climbing day. Tomorrow they'll be with real students from the BMC Student Seminar based at Plas y Brenin, at least the weather's promising to be a lot better.

I was working on an improvised rescue trainee workshop today for the Association of Mountaineering Instructors. Andy and Rob were keen to look at problem solving skills associated with multi pitch climbing. We decided that Tremadog was the best option due to the poor weather forecast for the mountains and we were rewarded with dry rock (eventually!) and sunny conditions.

I was running a scrambling/short roping workshop for AMI trainee members who are soon to be going for their assessments. With a bad forecast for the afternoon (heavy rain) we decided to shelter from the wind in Cwm Idwal and make an ascent of the lower part of Seniors Ridge (with the direct start) and then as the weather was holding out we went for an ascent of the Cneifion Arete. Luckily, the rain was late and didn't arrive until about 3 o'clock as we were making a descent down the middle of Clogwyn y Tarw. RESULT! A great day all round. Thanks Rob Wymer,  Rob Williams and Joe Fraser.

I've been running a Single Pitch Award training course over the last couple of days in and around the Llanberis area. Day one was based in the Llanberis Pass on Pont Cromlech Crag. We were a bit worried about the heavy rain and low mist when we arrived at the lay-by but it soon cleared to give a dry crisp day. The evening was spent at the Beacon Climbing Centre based in Caernarfon. Day two was based around Creigiau Fachwen with most of the time spent at Spotty Crag. The weather was fantastic but we did have a bit of drizzle mid morning but it soon passed. We were joined by Bryn Williams (Executive Officer MTC and MTUK) who was moderating the course.

A beautiful day not to be missed. 

I was working locally over the last couple of days running an SPA training course for three candidates. We spent Thursday in the warm and the sun near Pont Cromlech and then spent the evening at the Beacon Climbing Centre. The location for Friday was Spotty Crag near Fachwen with the aim of the day to be looking at bottom top roping, top roping and abseiling (personal and group) the weather was a bit mixed but it stayed mostly dry and very warm.   

A happy team after a busy weekend conducting climbing, abseiling and ropes course assessments. I was working down in West Sussex working for PGL. I had a fantastic welcome  at Windmill Hill so a big thank you goes out to the senior team and staff who were super helpful,  happy and enthusiastic throughout.

A nice warm day on the hills today with hardly any wind but a bit cloudy at times and only two other people around. Details of route on Endomondo here

I had a fantastic few day with Garmon up in the Lochaber region. We climbed Ben Nevis (1344m) via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete on Friday and after a rest day we made an ascent of Stob Ban (999m) and Mullach nan Coirean (939m) on Sunday in super fast time (4 hours and 30 minutes). Carn Mor Dearg Arete  Ben Nevis (1344m) The pony path descent on Ben Nevis Stob Ban (999m) Mullach nan Coirean (939m)

Another great day with Garmon. We made an ascent of Tryfan via the North Ridge and down the South Ridge. We made it up and down in less than 3 hours.

Had a great day today on Bristly Ridge, Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr with a quick descent down to Cwm Idwal via The Devils Kitchen. Perfect conditions with an overcast sky and a brisk wind to keep us nice and cool.  Bristly Ridge Summit of Glyder Fach (994m) Bwlch y Ddwy Glyder Summit of Glyder Fawr (1001m)

I was running an AMI trainee workshop today with the aim of the day being slick multi pitch climbing. Well, with a pretty rubbish forecast Rob, Sam and myself agreed that Tremadog was the best bet as the worst of the weather was due to come from the east. To cut a long story short we were blessed with dry rock all day and I managed to cover almost everything that I needed to cover. We were back at Eric's Cafe by 4.30 just in time for the first clap of thunder. Result!! We climbed, abseiled, stance managed, rope managed, time managed and chatted our way up Oberon and Yogi.

I was carrying out an inspection for the Adventure Activities Licensing Service today at Tryfan Bach with some fine views.