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This was the big day for Andy and Gwen as this was to be their first multi pitch lead. We went over to the Idwal Slabs and had a constructive and successful time on Hope (VDiff) and the first couple of pitches of Ordinary Route (Diff). It was a fantastic day all round with very few people out climbing and dry weather.

We needed to look at the practical application of multi pitch climbing today so we went over to Glogwyn yr Oen above Blaenau Ffestiniog and had a great time. Good weather and not too many people. We covered stance organisation, rope work, belaying, problem solving and fall factors amongst other things. We climbed Slick and Chic (both VDiff).

I worked on the first day of a 3 day rock climbing course today with Gwen and Andy. We went over to Tremadog and the Upper Tier of Pant Ifan to escape the heavy drizzle of the mountain crags. We covered skills such as setting up a single pitch crag as well as route and equipment choice, anchor selection, coaching movement skills and belaying. We managed to escape most of the showers until mid afternoon but they didn't amount to much.

I was out with Steve today to reassess his SPA personal climbing day. We went to Tremadog and climbed Oberon (VD) and Xmas Curry (S). Everything went well and he passes no problem. It was nice and quiet on the crags today and the weather was something special - lets hope it lasts the week.

The weather turned out to be just perfect for an Association of Mountaineering Instructors trainee workshop. The plan was to cover short roping with trainee candidates who are progressing through their Mountain Instructors Award qualification. We elected to go onto the east face of Tryfan and made an ascent of Bastow Buttress Variant (2/3) and then we descended North Gully and Little Gully (1/2). We had a constructive time and managed to have most of the crag to ourselves. The team consisted of (left to right) Pete, Steve and Matt.

I drove to Coventry today to carry out some technical advice work for a private company. It was a long day but very constructive. The journey, on the other hand, was horrendous. I am constantly reminded how poorly maintained our road are and how ridiculous the constant roadwork are.

I Managed to dodge the showers today and saw loads of fungi. Here are just a few: Greasy Tough Shank var. asema Slippery Jack Common Earthball Fly Agaric

I ran a NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Achievement Scheme) Induction workshop at the Beacon tonight for staff from a local outdoor education centre. This workshop brings instructors up to speed with the requirements of the scheme and allows them to deliver the scheme at other climbing walls who have Awarding or Primary Centre status. The workshop lasted about 4 hours with about an hour and a half of chatting and a presentation and the remainder of the time going through some practical aspects of delivering NICAS and discussing issues such as instructional techniques and standards.