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Showing posts from March, 2011

Management event

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I was running and coordinating an event for a company from down south over the last couple of days. I had planned some low key activities for the team to experience including rock climbing, canoeing and a walking challenge around Llyn Padarn (which included a series of questions). The weather wasn't very kind to us at Lion Rock yesterday morning but the canoeing in the afternoon was blessed with lovely weather which made all the difference. Today started early as the team were keen to get started for home by lunch time. I went for a walk in the afternoon with one of the director who decided to stay on for a bit to experience the Snowdonia mountains. We went for a walk over Moel Eilio, Foel Gron and Foel Goch which was clear but very windy.

Improvised rescue- Tryfan Bach

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I was joined by Arwyn and Anita today who wanted to learn and practice the finer point of improvised rescue and self help techniques. I thought the best place to go today was Tryfan Bach which worked out well as it was, again, quieter than I expected. The day was pretty murky and cold and the sun didn't show itself until mid afternoon but I guess the folk on the tops were rewarded with some cloud inversions due to the high pressure system upon us at the moment. I would take advantage of it over the next couple of days as its all coming to an end with rain forecast by Wednesday.

Idwal Slabs - The Ordinary Route (Diff - 140m)

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I took my son (Garmon) climbing today as he had wanted to climb the slabs for ages. There was quite a cold wind blowing this morning so we decided to venture over to Cwm Idwal this afternoon so that the sun could warm us up a bit. As it happened, there was hardly a breath of wind on the climb and hardly anyone about. There were only three other parties climbing on the slabs as well as a party on the sub cneifion arete. This was only Garmon's second multi pitch climb but he really enjoyed it and is chomping at the bit to get out and do some more but it'll be Gruffudd's turn next.

Dog walking

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I had recently purchased a new harness for my dog and was keen to give it a try on the hill. I decided that a quick trip up Moel Eilio was needed so that I could have a bit of a work out, Barti could have his walk and I/we could test out the new harness. I had high hope for it as, apparently, it had been designed for working dogs in Austria - it certainly didn't disappoint. It was very easy to fit and Barti took to it straight away without any problems or stress. I'm glad to say the (in your face glow in the dark) logos on each side are Velcro and removable but I just couldn't be bothered taking them off.

Single Pitch Training Course Day 2

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It was another stunning day today on the SPA training course. We visited Lion Rock and Fachwen quarry today to look at setting up single pitch climbs as well as running sessions with groups. We also spent some time looking at personal and group abseiling.

Single Pitch Training Course Day 1

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I was running a Single Pitch training course at Blue Peris today for a group of students from John Moores University in Liverpool. I'm being assisted by Rob Johnson over the 2 day course and Rory Shaw on the evening climbing wall session this evening. The group were well prepared for the course which allowed us to cover quite a lot on the first day. The weather was absolutely stunning today with a good forecast for tomorrow as well - thankfully.

Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon (1085m)

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The forecast wasn't so good for today but things looked good this morning for an ascent of Snowdon and Carnedd Ugain from Llanberis. It was a bit dull and cold low down but I broke through the cloud at about 850m and was in the sun and warmth all the way up to the summit and across to Carnedd Ugain. It was a good opportunity to try out my new Flint Pant by Haglofs - which were awesome. Endomondo link here . Top photo - Snowdon from Carnedd Ugain. Bottom photo - Glaslyn and Llyn Llydaw from above Bwlch Glas.

Tremadog

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We managed a couple of routes at Tremadog this morning before the mist and drizzle arrived. Andy had earlier led Tro (HS) which was good but we thought it was hard for its grade. Thankfully, it started drizzling before I left the ground on Dagrau ( HVS 5a) so we decided to nip up Yogi (VS 4b, 4b), which Andy hadn't done before, and climb it in one pitch with a nice abseil back down. The top groove was a bit wet by the time I got to it but the gear is good and the holds are very positive. Didn't manage any photo's I'm afraid but this is a photo from the Tremadog Wiki Supplement with Black - Tro (HS), Red - Dagrau ( HVS 5a) and Blue - Llafur (E1 5b).

Elidir Fawr horseshoe

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A bit of a mixed morning this morning with quite a lot of cloud but the forecast was OK so I decided to do a quick jaunt around the Elidir Fawr horseshoe. The weather turned out better than I though as the top of the cloud was just below the summits. I was rewarded with the sun as well as some Brocken Spectres. A spectacular day. I tracked the trip on Endomondo so if you're interested click here. If you would like to see all the photos I took this morning then click here .

Another day in paradise

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Multi Pitch climbing day

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I was joined by Kate and Sian (who are both members of Clwb Mynydda Cymru ) today for a day of learning the skills involved in multi pitch climbing. Due to the rain the night before, the snow in the mountains and the cold wind we decided to go over to Tremadog for the day. Apart from the cold wind it was a fine, dry day. We covered topics such as stance management and organisation, anchor choice, the use of single and multiple anchors on stances, rope work as well as protecting the second. We climbed Oberon and then had a play with joining anchors together before we finished the day on Cnychwr.

AALS Inspection

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I conducted an inspection for the Adventure Activities Licensing Service south of Dolgellau today with an activity taking place on Barmouth Slabs. The rain was heavy in places but seemed to miss Barmouth thankfully. The recent cold temperatures seemed to have killed off the frog spawn which is a real shame but I suppose that's the reality of nature.

Alternate Leaved Golden Saxifrage

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Fachwen - today

Snowdon with a difference

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Had a long day today as I wanted to do a journey that I don't think I've ever done before. The fantastic weather and cold conditions gave me the incentive to go for it. The plan was to start off near Llanberis and ascend Moel Eilio and then follow the ridge line to Snowdon via Foel Gron, Foel Goch and Moel Cynghorion. The total distance is about 18kms (11 miles) and a total ascent of 1465m (4,806 feet). It was truly a stunning day and highly recommended alternative to the crowded Snowdon Horseshoe but I was glad to get back to the car 5 hours later! I tracked some of the journey on Endomondo as I forgot to turn the GPS tracker on at the start. Click here for the details. After grabbing a bite to eat I went up to the Beacon Climbing Centre to run a NICAS Induction training course for instructors who wish to deliver the scheme. The photo is of Snowdon and the finger stone at the top of the Miners Track.

Carnedd y Filiast and Elidir Fawr

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What a day. I had a meeting to attend this afternoon but the day was absolutely stunning so I just had to get out and about this morning. I went up Carnedd y Filiast (821m) from the Marchlyn Mawr road and then did the horseshoe taking in Mynydd Perfedd (812m) and Elidir Fawr (923m). The weather was perfect with a slight breeze on the tops and the ground was frozen in places. The photo is the Elidir Fawr ridge with the summit behind me. I tracked the journey on Endomondo so if you're interested click here

Dydd Gwyl Dewi - St Davids Day

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