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l-r: Adam, Lucy, Katy, Jack and Dena The Canon on the North Ridge of Tryfan This was the second day of an ML training course. We wanted to look at group management on difficult terrain so we went up Tryfan via the North Ridge and then descended the East side back to the road. It started out to be quite a grotty day with low cloud and some drizzle but it soon cleared up by mid morning to give a lovely day with the occasional glimpse of the sun.

I'm working over in Coventry for the next four days conducting some in house climbing wall, abseil tower and ropes course assessments.

This is a view of Snowdon under cloud this morning from the summit of Moel Cynghorion. I started from the parking spot by Afon Goch and then up Moel Eilio (726m), Foel Gron (629m) and Foel Goch (605m) before making the long slog up Moel Cynghorion (674m). The descent was via the North Ridge back to the path and the car.

It looks increasingly like the weather will be bad for the remainder of the week so with an ok forecast today we decided to make an ascent of Sgurr na Stri from Sligachan. It was a long walk (19kms) but well worth it for the fantastic views. Even though the mountain is quite low in altitude it's scale is awesome with great views over to Soay, Rum, Eigg and Canna as well as an almost unbroken view of the Black Cuillin (well, if the weather would allow!!). A great day with a brisk wind and only a couple of showers. Top: Andy and Gwen just before the summit with the Dubhs ridge in the background. Bottom: Loch na Cuilce and the Scavaig River from the summit.

After the long day yesterday we decided to have an easy day so, as the tide was just right, we went to visit the Spar Cave near Elgol.

With a good weather forecast we decided to go for the Dubhs ridge which is a Moderate scramble and  920m in length. The route ends up on the summit of Sgurr Dubh Beag (733m) and then on to Sgurr Dubh Mor (944m). Unfortunately, the weather forecast wasn't quite accurate and as we arrived on the top of Sgurr Dubh Beag the cloud descended upon us with strong winds and rain. We had already decided that we were going to have a bit of an adventure as we were going to catch the boat to Loch Coruisk and then we were going to walk out back to Elgol. The descent slowed us down a bit due to a lack of visibility but we managed to make it back to Elgol before dark. A stunning route but just a shame about the weather. Top photo: Chris, Gwen and Andy on the Dubhs Ridge. Bottom photo: Andy and Chris on the way to Sgurr Dubh Mor.

I'm over on the Isle of Skye this week waiting for a weather window for the Cuillin Ridge. We all went for a long walk today as we needed to blow some cobwebs away after the long drive yesterday. We walked from Elgol over to the Camasunary bothy up to Loch na Creitheach over the Am Mam back to the road at Kilmarie and then back to Elgol. About 17kms in all but not much in the way of views and it was pretty wet all the way round with very low cloud but we did have some tantalising views of the lower ridges at times. It doesn't look good for the next couple of days but lets cross our fingers for later in the week. Photo: Camasunary Bothy - Gwen, Ali, me and Chris

I was lucky to dodge the showers this afternoon and had some wonderful views over to Ogwen. I started from the road head above Deiniolen and then up to Carnedd y Filiast then to Mynydd Perfedd and then on to the summit of Elidir Fawr. After all the rain and the wind it was really nice to be out in the dry again.

I concluded the ML training course with a camp over the last 2 days. We had a good weather forecast so we opted to go over to the Moelwynion. How wrong can a forecast be! We were battered by heavy rain for most of the trip but we did manage to avoid the rain over the night navigation exercise at least. Everybody seemed to cope OK with the conditions and looked like they were enjoying themselves. Well done team. For more photos check out the link to Flickr

Hawthorn blossom I had lots of work to sort out and arrange today but still managed to get out with the dog in the afternoon.

I was joined by Sam Benson today to help cover ropework for mountain leaders. We went over to the Llanberis Pass to look at movement skills, confidence roping, rope types, anchors, belaying, lowering and abseiling. The weather turned out to be ok this morning but the afternoon was cold, very wet and windy. Top photo: Lunch spot and bottom photo l-r: Neill, Sam, Dave, Sarah, Paul, Andy and Ewan.

The aim of today was to look at group management over difficult and rocky terrain so we went over to Ogwen and made an ascent of Gyder Fawr via Seniors Ridge and then down Y Gribin. The weather was perfect again today but quite cold on the summit with a brisk wind. Looks like things are changing for the end of the week.

I'm directing a Mountain Leader training course for Blue Peris this week. The six candidates have already completes their Walking Group Leader Award and are keen to progress onto more challenging terrain. We went over to Pen y Pass today and covered some micro navigation skills and environmental topics around the back of the Youth Hostel. The mountains are bone dry at the moment so we didn't have such problem travelling over terrain that is usually quite boggy and wet. No problems with the weather and visibility today. As soon as we were back at the centre and had some food we reconvened to have a chat about weather and how it relates to mountain leaders.

The wind was strong again today and as the boys were playing with friends for the afternoon Barti and I went for a very pleasant walk around Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris taking in the Dinorwig quarries along the way. A really nice walk of about 14kms and well worth doing whatever the weather.