Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Today I took my students out on Aonach Mor to get an introduction into Winter Mountaineering. We looked at crampons on the small patches of ice we foundand then after looking at some self arrest skillswe concentrated on axe and footwork as we headed up the Nid Ridge towards the summit. Conditions inproved as we got higher and we were treated to some fantastic views of the back corries and Ben Nevis

Looking up The Goose Summit Runs in good condition Having not been on skis since last March, I was keen to hit the slopes and as soon as I got word that the Back Corries at Nevis Range were open I headed for the slopes. Conditions on the lower front half of the mountain are icy and quite patchy but the Summit Runs, The Goose and Warrens are in good condition. The Back Corries were open but at times visibility was very poor so I choose to stay on the upper half of the front side. After a few hours of sliding I headed down for my customary Coffee and Tiffin Cake and that was a challenge, as I was skiing over grass, ice and occasionally snow. Interestingly after years of skiing without a helmet, I bought myself one for Christmas and decided that I will wear one from now on. Today was its first day out and I have to say that it didn't bother me wearing one and I certainly would have been less comfortable on the run back to the cafe without it. It has just become law ...

Today was my first day out in Scottish Winter this season. It was a day to remind myself of all the important things about winter mountaineering that are essential for a safe and enjoyable season. Having done the most important things first, ie remembering how to make porridge, how not to stab myself with crampons whilst checking they fit my boots and how to drive in rigid B3 boots, I headed up the Gondola and out of the door onto sheet ice. Panic moment, how do I walk on ice? ah yes, I remember, very carefully! Within a few hundred metres of the top of the Gondola I was back in the swing of things and heading round the Nid Ridge for a wander up to the top. A few snow drifts saw me disappear upto my knees but mainly the walking was easy. Crampons stayed in my bag all day but the axe was out as I worked my way up the ridge in warm and still conditions. A nice blast of wind and spindrift at the top reminded me where I was. Shortly after I was back in the Ski Centre cafe chec...

Yesterday I was at the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification 8th Edition update in Plymouth. The 8th edition has finally addressed a number of issues from the 7th and looks to be a good basis for anyone considering a career as a Pool Lifeguard. 13 hrs later I am at my winter quarters in Fort William preparing for a short but hopefully active winter season of snow and ice fun.

Having a few spare hours on my hands, Jay and I headed upto Dart Rock and as we only had three students I took the opportunity to get some training in for the next 5 weeks when I will be based in Scotland. The Alpkit Fig 4 dry tooling training device certainly gave me a run for my money and it was good (though odd) to have axes back in my hands.

After I week of indoor climbing sessions and meeting I was pleased to get out yesterday for a few hour with D of E Bronze training and again today on Dartmoor with 10 Tors Training. We should have been out over night but the prevailing conditions forced us to abandon the camping and just go with a day walk instead. I ended up with the boys from the 55m team who were good company throughout the walk. The day started of cold with snow showers but soon warmed up and turned to rain which got heavy around the time we returned to the car.

Today I was out with a family group on The Lower Dart. This was a Christmas present for the boys with Dad and Auntie coming along as well. We looked at the usual eddies, reading the river, ferry gliding and running the rapids. Although it was forecast to be a miserable day we had a great time on the water and the rain only started once we had made it to the cafe. :-)