Gwilym's Adventure Blog

On Day 3 of the Rock Climbing Instructor Training course we were at a (mainly) sunny Chudleigh looking at personal climbing, problem prevention and abseiling.  A few spots of rain just to remind us how slippery Limestone can be. Thanks to Jamie for tagging along again to develop his knowledge for future opportunities to work on these courses. Working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd a provider of the majority of Mountain Training courses

On day 2 of the Rock Climbing Instructor Training course I am running for Wet and High Adventures Ltd we spent the day at Bench Tor. We were sharing with photographers, walkers, a few other climbers and 4 horse riders who rode over the top as we were practising rigging down low. We looked at setting up bottom ropes, top ropes, preventing problems and abseiling.

Another day at Dart Rock today for my second Rock Climbing Instructor Training course this month. Only a small course of 2 due to an injury but as always, Jamie was around and keen to help out to make up numbers. Some personal climbing and lots of ideas how to manage groups indoors were the topics of the day.

Been a very busy admin week with applications for new qualifications that Wet and High Adventures Ltd have now been granted permission to run. Check them out here Today I was back outside with Plymouth College Outdoor Education student for their assessed ride around the Tamar Trails. A very warm day with a group of 6 students who were able to lead themselves meant I have a very relaxed day riding round in the sun! That is me done with my short return to Plymouth College for this year but there hopefully will be a few more days next year.

A long way from home today in Finchley (North London) to run a National Navigation Award Tutors course for a group of Air Cadet Leaders. My second one in as many weeks and it was quite interesting researching the local area by Google Earth a few days ago to scope out what facilities and green spaces I had to play with. Fortunately everything fitted onto my motorbike so that made the travel there and back a little easier. Big thanks to the Police motorcyclist who invited me to follow her as she cut through the traffic like a knife through butter. Unfortunately she then headed off in another direction but still, it gained me a few miles.

I was out with Plymouth College Outdoor students today exploring a Mountain Bike route (as recommended by the guide - see top pic). Well we had lots of walking and carrying to do as well as well as some riding. We even had a few river crossings. It was certainly an adventure and we all had great fun but I am not sure I would recommend it as a bike route rather it would make a really nice summer walk.

Day 3 of the Rock Climbing Instructor Training course took us to a very warm and sunny Chudleigh South where the day was spent baking in sunshine whilst doing lots of climbing and setting up Top and Bottom Ropes, as well as abseils and discussing potential problems that may occur. 4 keen candidates, not a spot of rain and having Jamie along to observe made the day very nice and easy to work on. There was another large group at the crag and we all managed to work around each other with no problems. This is was working as a climbing instructor is all about. Working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd , a provider of the majority of Mountain Training awards.

Out on a very sunny Bench Tor on Dartmoor working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd on the second day of a Rock Climbing Instructor Training course.  Super sunny but with a cold wind. Anchors, Bottom Ropes, Top Ropes, problems, Abseils and more. I haven't been to Bench Tor for a while so it was nice to go back and remember how good it is for this kind of thing.

Today I was working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd directing the first day of a Rock Climbing Instructor Training course with 4 candidates. We were based at Dart Rock for the indoor element of the award. Lots done today (even with on eye on the sun outside). Warms up, personal climbing, holding falls, group climbing, bouldering, games and much more.

Today I was on the very sunny Quantock Hills running at National Navigation Award Scheme Tutors course for 4 keen and enthusiastic Mountain Leaders. With lots of activities through the day, a few inside but as many as possible outside in the sun to look at as many ways to teach navigation that are simple, engaging and effective. As always, these courses only work with all the candidates getting fully involved. Everyone got stuck in and as a result some really learning takes place. As is always my goal on these courses, I did successfully manage to get 4 instructors completely disorientated in a classroom. Thanks to Quantock Lodge for hosting us for the day.

A dry start to the three day expedition on Exmoor for Bridgwater and Taunton College Level 3 Uniformed Emergency Services students but that turned wet very quickly The same route as last week from Porlock Weir with a camp at Horner Scout Campsite, a trip over Dunkery Beacon (519m) and second camp at Halse Farm, and the finish at Tarr Steps this morning. Last week we stayed dry, this week we did not. From midday yesterday until into the evening it was pretty wet and there were a few soggy students when they arrived on site. However, all finished happily enough this morning with only light showers to keep them moving along.

A bit of two wheeled fun today (and pain tomorrow) on the Isle of Wight Randonnee with Crys. 100km with 1500m of ascent gave me a good lesson in life. Namely that I should have trained for it. General fitness and sheer will power got me through it but it would have been so much less painful with a little bit of training. I am struggling to sit down right now and if I do, I am not sure I will be able to get back up. This was a well organised event and most definitely not a race. A number of checkpoints all with cakes available made it a nice social day but the hill from Compton to Freshwater after 90km in the saddle was brutal and no amount of cake could make that any better.

Whilst my Triumph Explorer was in for a service, I got to play on a Triumph Street Scrambler for the day. Sadly as I had lots of other things to do I only spent about 90 minutes on it but I was very nearly impressed with it. It has been some time since I have ridden a twin and even longer since I have ridden a naked bike. It certainly looks nice and doesn't sound to bad either. Compared to my Explorer it is massively underpowered and lacks a lot of the toys that make mile munching so easy. However, as a light weight second bike to nip across town on or cruise the moors on a hot summers day then it could well have a place in my garage. Today is not that day but one day maybe.