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I was working on an AMI trainee workshop today looking at instructing multi pitch climbing. With the weather so changeable and wet we decided that Tremadog would be the best option and sure enough it was warm and dry all day and only stared raining when we arrived at the car park at the end of the day - result. Tremadog is such a fab place what can I say it delivers the goods every time (well.... almost!) I had Siobhan and Ryan for company today who were very keen to cover issues like progression, the rack, planning client days, abseiling, stance management, time management and loads more topics. We climbed Hail Bebe (VD) and Oberon (S) and the place was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday.  

I was working with a group of young people on the  National citizenship program from London today. There were 4 instructors from a local PGL centre running sessions at Trefor Quarry for the day and I was acting as overall safety for the event. We set up 2 bottom top rope climbs and 2 abseils which kept them busy and some were challenged more than others but everyone had a great time.   

I've been very busy of late with carrying out inspections for the Licensing Service so I won't bore you with the details but it involved working in the Ogwen Valley, Cadair Idris area, Afon Ddu gorge and the Bala area. I was out in the wind and the rain this morning with a quick trip along the ridge from Moel Eilio to Foel Goch. It didn't start out too bad but as soon as I was on the north ridge it started getting really damp and as the wind picked up the rain increased and the visibility reduced to about 10m. I had intended to carry on up Moel Cynghorion and then on to the summit of Snowdon but the weather had other ideas and I decided to cut the journey short and leave it for another day. I tracked the trip on Endomundo and used the Haglofs Endo jacket and LIM pants  to keep nice and dry.

I started out the day over at the Pen y Pass YHA to meet a group I was inspecting on behalf of the Adventure Activities Licencing Authority. After a brief chat and a look around I went over to Tryfan Bach to see a rock climbing activity in action. It was surprisingly quiet with the weather a bit unsettled. The students seem to be having a great time though.

It was a fantastic day down on the Maes. Everyone seemed to have a great time with loads of entertainment as well as watching the cyclists return from their personal challenge. Well done to everyone who helped make the day a success and lets hope for it's return next year. I am very tempted but it'll be the Etape Bach for me I think!

I was working for the AALA  today carrying out an inspection of a local centre. I met up with the group and instructors and followed them up Afon Ddu gorge. As you can see from the photo there was a reasonable amount of water in the river which made it a bit more exciting. I went back to the centre after a little while to finish the inspection process and sort out the paperwork just in time for the heavens to open. Paperwork does have it's benefits after all! :-)  

Ivy Leaved Toadflax near Fachwen Ivy-leaved toadflax or Kenilworth Ivy (Cymbalaria muralis) is a flowering plant native to Mediterranean Europe and widely naturalised elsewhere. It spreads quickly and commonly grows in rock and wall crevices, and along footpaths. The leaves are evergreen, rounded to heart-shaped, 2.5 to 5 cm (0.98 to 2.0 in) long and wide, three-seven lobed, alternating on thin stems. The flowers are very small, similar in shape to snapdragon flowers. This plant has an unusual method of propagation. The flower stalk is initially positively phototropic and moves towards the light—after fertilization it becomes negatively phototropic and moves away from the light. This results in seed being pushed into dark crevices of rock walls, where it is more likely to germinate and where it prefers to grow.

I, once again, had a very warm welcome down at PGL Boreatton Park for the latest round of rope assessments. I was running bottom top roping, abseiling, ropes course access and zip wire assessments over the last 4 days. Thankfully, the weather was nice and dry.

I had a bit of a damp day in Cwm Idwal this afternoon. I was out with my friend Dei and his daughter Bethan. The weather dictated our plans a bit as we had intended to make and ascent of the Cneifion Arete but had to alter our route because of the rain. We made our way up the NW Face route on to Seniors Ridge and followed it up to the top of Glyder Fawr (1000m). As we descended from the summit and down to the Devil's Kitchen the weather cleared to give a very pleasant and dry early evening.  Seniors Ridge.  The summit of Glyder Fawr Moss Campion in flower near the Devil's Kitchen

I was out climbing with my friend George this afternoon. Due to the wet weather this morning we opted to have a look at the slate as it dries very quickly after rain and it has easy access. We went to the Serengeti area first to climb Seamstress (VS 4c) and Seams the Same (E1 5b) and then down to Never Never Land and the Nurenburg Area to climb Fresh Air (F6a). Fantastic routes and it was really nice to revisit some familiar territory and to do a route I hadn't done before (Fresh Air) as well.