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Had a busy week at the Beacon this week it would have been even busier if it wasn't for the atrocious weather over the last couple of weeks. 'How could the weather effect an indoor climbing wall' I hear you say, well simple - you have to get there in the first place. I had a Climbing Wall Assessment scheduled to take place on Wednesday but the candidates, who were all from the same centre failed to negotiate the floods so they have had to postpone the assessment until Monday. The remainder of the week was spent running an in house staff training course at the local leisure centre climbing wall and in the evening I was running a NICAS induction course for local instructors. I did manage to run a CWA assessment yesterday even though the weather was grim everyone turned up for the course and they all passed. We were running another CWA assessment today but Leo (our new centre manager) was directing that one so that I could have a day off to shovel 2 tonnes of gravel - joy! ...

I ran a CWA training course over the weekend for 5 candidates at the Beacon Climbing Centre . We covered subjects such as warming up, games, group management and belaying techniques we also covered leading and everyone took part in the Abseil and Top Rope Module on the Sunday afternoon.

I've just returned from the Lake District after 5 days of working with shop staff from all over the UK promoting Haglofs products. The work was generally guiding and instructing individuals on the crags and mountains of the Lake District and giving them an adventurous day out as well as trying out some Haglofs products. I was working with James Thacker and the boys from G2 from Aviemore all week. We had a great time and the weather was on our side for most of the week. The week worked out like this: Day 1: Dow Crag (Giant's Crawl - pic5) Day 2: Raven Crag (Middlefell Buttress - pic4) Day 3: Old Man of Coniston (navigation and rope work day - pic3) Day 4: Raven Crag (Middlefell Butttress and Holly-tree Traverse - pic2) Day 5: Pavey Ark (Crescent Climb - pic1)

I had a couple of days working at Plas y Brenin this weekend. The weather was very changeable with high winds and heavy showers on the first day. Today was a lot better with only the occasional shower but it certainly felt cold on the top of Glyder Fawr with excellent views by the time we reached the top. The first day was spent looking at navigation skills in Cwm Dyli and the ridge leading up to Lliwedd (this is the bit that most Snowdon Horseshoers miss and is the true start/end). Today was a mountain day looking at group management on difficult terrain on Seniors Ridge with a descent down Y Gribin.

Worked for the Outdoor Partnership today and looked at ML ropework with 2 clients both of which are looking at putting themselves forward for assessment very soon. We went over to Clogwyn y Tarw in Cwm Idwal and worked over on the right and central parts to cover subjects such as direct and indirect belays, anchor types, lowering and abseiling techniques as well as confidence roping. The photo is of Arwyn being lowered in a Thompson Knot by Mike from a direct anchor.

Martin and Marc with Moel Siabod in the background. Martin a Marc gyda Moel Siabod yn y cefndir.

Diwrnod da heddiw gyda 4 yn troi i fyny o Antur 'Stiniog. Aethom i ardal y Moelwyn o fewn tafliad carreg o Cnicht. Yn ystod y diwrnod oeddwn yn trafod ac ymarfer llywio yn y mynyddoedd gyda map 1:25,000 a gwaith rhaff i gerddwyr mynydd. Digon i gadw ni fynd am fwy na diwrnod felly mwy o ymarfer fory. Had a great day today with a day spent mentoring 4 members of Antur 'Stiniog. We went to the Moelwyn area around Cnicht. We discussed and practiced navigation using a 1:25,000 map and rope work for mountain walkers. Plenty to keep us going for more than a day so more of the same tomorrow. (l-r) Martin, Gareth, Marc and Rommee.