Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Today was an awesome journey up the Afon Ddu gorge today with Bridgwater and Taunton College students as part of their leadership and outdoor activity residential Nice levels to give enough challenge but also to allow us to tackle all of the main features in the gorge meaning we had the full Wet and High Adventure experience.

In the Afon Ddu gorge today with my Bridgwater College students. A nice level creating some challenges and allowing them to move up river together. It was quite busy in there with other groups and the water a tad chilly but a nice rest in between our hill days

On day 3 of the residential, we headed to Dart Rock to avoid the rain for a morning of climbing before jumping in the River Plym for a gorge walk in the afternoon. Some excellent teamwork shown by the group as the river was slowly rising and on the last waterfall really had a fair bit of power.

This week I have been away in Snowdonia with Level 4 Public Services students from Bridgwater and Taunton College . A 2 day (very wet) Mountain Skills course, a day climbing at Tremadog and a second (very sunny day)day at Barmouth Slabs before a final day in the gorge at Afon Ddu. Only a small group of students but we got lots done and some practical assessments completed

I have just got back from a Bridgwater and Taunton College residential on Dartmoor with Level 4 Public Service students. Climbing, navigation and gorge walking were the activities and we had dry but cold weather all week which helped out a bit with morale.

Getting wet in the Melte and Sychryd Gorges today as part of my Risk Assessment process. Hannah joined me so that I had someone to carry the bag and star in the pictures. It was a little low and floating down stream bouncing off a few rocks has given me a few bruises on my bottom but otherwise all good.

Today I was at the Mellte and Sychryd gorges in South Wales undertaking some risk assessments for future use. I wasn't in the water today, I was bank based but need to go back and get in to finish the process fully. After the practical bit, I attended a workshop run by SWOAPG on the safe use and environmental care of these gorges. Now I have to drive back up to North Wales for the morning, to finish the ML course I am directing for Wet and High Adventures.

This week I have been down on Dartmoor with Level 3 Outdoor Education students from Bridgwater College at Powdermills Bunkhouse . We have undertaken NNAS Bronze and Silver training and assessment courses, Gorge Walking, Climbing, Kayaking and Coasteering as well as the students budgeting and cooking all of their own food. A great week and fantastic weather though we had a bit or rain to help them test their new Mountain Equipment  clothing from The Gorge Outdoors

On Day 1 of a Bridgwater College residential, after a trip to the supermarket and travelling down to Dartmoor we jumped in the River Plym for a group exercise. Only 2 students choose to take part in the optional night nav exercise from 10pm to just gone midnight

Today we started with Rock Climbing on the slabs at The Dewerstone looking at belaying, tying in, lowering and basic climbing skills. Then it was wetsuits on and into the river for a team gorge walk up, over, under and through all the rapids.

I am back down on Dartmoor with by FdSc Students from Bridgwater College. This week we started with a walk up the River Plym looking at leadership and working as a group. Although the water levers were low, there were still enough challenges to keep the group working. I had half of the group and Dan the other half. Once out and dry we spent some time setting up climbs and building belays before returning to the bunkhouse. Later once dark we headed out onto the moor for a few hour night perambulation