Posts

Nadolig Llawen i bawb. Merry Xmas all

Image

Damselfly at 900m on Snowdon

Image

Working for Jagged Globe on Snowdon

Image
Snowdonia Charity Challenge 2016. Unfortunately, one of the participants had a bit of a incident and had a suspected sprained ankle so the team had to call for assistance. Fortunately two of the team I was working with were members of the local mountain rescue team so we managed to deal with the incident ourselves with the help of one of the new Coastguard helicopter.

Filming with Derek Brockway for the new series of Weatherman Walking.

The Weatherman Walking team made it to the 5th highest peak in #Wales . Glyder Fawr. Great views, mist and midges! pic.twitter.com/Np6fOmpyeb — Derek Brockway (@DerekTheWeather) June 8, 2016

Working with the BBC for the new series of Weatherman Walking

Image

Ailefroide 2015

Image
  Via Ferrata des Gorges d'Ailefroide   Les Etoiles slab   Glacier Noir  On the way to the Refuge du Glacier Blanc Via Ferrata Les Vigneaux

In house assessments and a special guest!

Image
I was over in Shropshire over the last few days conducting some assessments on a variety of rope activities such as high ropes courses, abseiling and climbing. During today's assessments we were visited by a very special guest and a hero of mine. "Tell 'em about the honey mummy" it was no other than the Honey Monster! The HM was on site during a photo shoot and was trying out various activities. I also had the pleasure of assessing a distant relative of Sir George Everest today and I'm glad to say he passed his abseiling with flying colours, as did everyone else. 😊✔

Carnedd Llewelyn (1064m)

Image
Pen yr Helgi Ddu from the slopes of Carnedd Llewelyn. Full on winter conditions with Garmon today and whiteout from the summit of Carnedd Llewelyn down to Craig Llugwy.

Y Garn (947m)

Image

Out and about

Image
Cnicht Excellent view from the summit of Cnicht (689m)

Nadolig Llawen i bawb. Merry Xmas all

Image

Scotland

Image
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

Pen yr Ole Wen and Carnedd Dafydd

Image
Looking towards Glyder Fawr (1001m) Rescue on Tryfan

Llyn Elsi

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

Everest Base Camp

Image
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

Milestone Buttress. Ogwen.

Image
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.

Teaching multi-pitch climbing

Image
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.

Improvised Rescue (AMI Trainee Workshop)

Image
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.

Still having fun and dodging the big weather! :-)

Image
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.

Having fun!!