Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Still some deep patches Today Dan, Kevin, Howard and I headed up onto the Carneddau via Pen y Ole Wen looking for some interesting hands on rock action. We found some scrambling at about Summer Grade 1 standard and then headed on round the ridge to Carnedd Daffydd. The snow is going fast and we were in softshell trousers and t-shirts for most of the day. It was very warm and almost summer. Looking across at Cwm Idwal it was bare compared with earlier in the week and the Devils Appendix Icefall is no longer there

Today Dan, Kevin, Howard and I headed off from Llanberis Pass up to Crib Goch. We picked a wandering ascent trying to find snow to follow as we climbed up towards the ridge. Once on Crib Goch however the snow was lacking and it was a wet summer scramble not a winter traverse. We continued to Garnedd Ugain and then struck off down the Pyg Track and the Miners Track. A great day out but the thaw is continuing and there will be very little snow left by the end of the week.

Today I was out on the hills with Kevin and Howard. We made our way through soggy snow up the North Ridge of Tryfan with sections of Grade II mountaineering before descending through deep slush down via the Heather Terrace and Tryfan Bach. The thaw is still on and snow is falling apart in front of our eyes. Still it was a good day and the axe was helpful at times.

  After getting up at early o'clock, Dan and I arrived in at Ogwen around midday and headed up into Cwm Idwal to get some ice action. It was thawing underfoot as we went in and we climbed Idwal Stream III. The ice under the snow was rotten and at the top of the route I fell through the ice into the stream itself. We continued up onto the top of the Glyders and waded through wet snow down the Y Gribin ridge I/II before returning to the van in darkness. I am not sure there will be much ice left by tomorrow.

Today we had the most amazing start to the day with the sight of a full lunar eclipse on the drive over to Grassmere. This was followed by a steep pull up the hill from the car park to the summit of Dollywaggon Pike before dropping over the edge to the North Butress. Here we climbed Rescue Groove IV 4 and a variation of Thrash Corner at III 3 as the crux corner was full of verglass. On the way back to the car we stopped and soloed Birkside Gill a grade II/III ice route about 150m long with 3 main (but short) pitches. Again great weather for the whole day, we have been very lucky with this weather.

Today we headed to Brown Cove Crags and climbed two routes. Stepped Ridge and Right Buttress Crack both grade III. Although the guide book says 100m they were both at least 200m with Stepped Ridge being the longer of the two. There were at least another 3 teams out on various routes and the weather was fantasic yet again.

Today we went for a walk around Bowfell 902m and Crinkle Crags. The weather was absolutely stunning and there were only a few other people on the hill. It was a great day in amazing surroundings. We walked around 14km in all but there was a fair bit ascent and descent on the route.

Today Campbell and I got up at 5am and left Kendal in snowy conditions to go and find a route to climb. After a bit of sideways action on the main road we turned round and headed back. At 7am we tried again but after watching idiots slide around including one car on the wrong side of the road forcing me to take evasive action we turned round for a second time. We are on our way out for the third attempt now. Although we managed to make some progress on the 3rd attempt, going was so slow we didn't get anywhere quick enough to climb anything.

Me leading up Loki (photo courtesy of Campbell) Campbell on Loki / Viking Buttress Me  Me seconding Viking Buttress (photo courtesy of Campbell) Today Campbell and I headed off to Red Tarn Cove on the East side of Helvellyn to do some mixed climbing. Conditions were good with frozen turf, some neve and sub zero temperatures. We started up Loki IV but switch to Viking Buttress IV as it was in better condition. During the day I spotted a rucsac which had been there for a while so decided to investigate, a quick phone call to the Police confirmed it was left over from a rescue last week so Campbell and I carried it of the hill to drop into the Police Station. (Note to self: 90mins carrying you own bag plus another one with broken straps is not that fun).

Having been stuck in the classroom/office all week with assignments and theory lessons I have now finished for the term and am on my way North for a long weekend of climbing in The Lakes with a good friend.

  Dan showing how to do it and the others following on Rescue Time Today I was working with Dan from Exmoor Adventures on a 3 Star White Water Kayak Course. Dan had been out with the students yesterday and I joined them today as they were undergoing assessment.We paddled The Exe from Bolham to Bickleigh and although it was cold the sun was shining (in my eyes most of the time). Well done to all 4 candidates who passed the assessment

Today I was working with Brian Dent on a SPA Assessment at Chudleigh. The candidates led routes, set up Top Ropes and Abseils and completed a theory paper. I will not be with them tomorrow but I wish them luck for the second day. The weather today was great and actually quite warm. There were also 2 SPA training groups out today.

Some local artwork This morning I was out with Jonny at Westdown Quarry belaying for him as he climbed a number of single pitch routes between Mod and HVD. The freeze thaw has taken its toll here and the rock was very fragile in places.

Back outside today at the Cannington Activity Centre with a couple of groups of students completing the Crate Challange and the Climbing Wall. It was chilly at times but we got through the day without any rain. The winning team today managed 21 crate high tower before it collapsed.