Gwilym's Adventure Blog

I switch across to the Mountain Leader Training course today to work a day with them. It was wet, and by wet I mean very wet! After a morning inside talking all about weather, route planning, remits and hazards we headed out into Cwm Idwal to see what the reality was like. Swollen streams and rivers, difficult walking conditions due to wind and so wet underfoot. Still, a bad day outside is better than a good day inside.

 A much wetter and windier experience on day 2 of the Mountain Leader Assessment although we managed to get some shelter on Tryfan. Today was all about the steep ground and manging people in that environment.

 Today I was out with 4 candidates on a Mountain Leader Assessment in The Ogwyn Valley. a little windy in places but mainly dry and nice to see some jest going through. I am directing this course for Wet and High Adventures .

This week I have been in Snowdonia directing a Mountain Leader Training Course for Wet and High Adventures Ltd. There was also an assessment running so I worked one day of that as well. 6 candidates and lots of smiles carried us through a week of mixed weather. Now they all get to go off to fill up their logbooks with more days.

 This week I have been in Snowdonia running some Mountain Leader  courses for Wet and High Adventures . I was directing an assessment but swapped with Stu for a day to work on his training course. A hot start to the week meant we could spend lot of time out getting stuff done. Always hard to do night nav when it doesn't really go that dark overnight. The last picture is of some amazing Lenticular clouds that formed over Carnedd Daffyd

  Back on the hill with the Mountain Leader Training course looking at putting everything together that we have covered so far.  A mountain journey staying below the summits to avoid the worst of the weather, encountering steep ground, navigational challenges, flora, fauna (infamous Tryfan goats) and glaciation.

  Leaving the assessment team in the capable hands of Dewi, I was out with the Mountain Leader Training course today looking at all things steep ground but as always, the natural environment was discussed with loads of butterwort seen today. Anchors, spotting, belaying, abseiling and route finding were all part of what we covered today

  Day 1 of a Mountain Leader Assessment I am working on for Wet and High Adventures Ltd . Today was a wet day on Tryfan's North Ridge looking at managing a group on steep ground.  It was very wet and slippery which added to the challenge.

A dry start with a very wet finish for Day 1 of the Hill and Moorland Leader Assessment I am directing for Wet and High Adventures Ltd . Dartmoor delivered some challenging weather as we entered the evening and I was very relieved to get back in the car at 7pm somewhat damp around the edges.

Since Wednesday morning I have been out in the hills running the expedition part of a Mountain Leader Assessment for Roxcool . A lovely route with camps at Angle Tarn and Red Tarn with lots of mountains in between. Bowfell, Esk Pike and Crinkle Crags to name a few 2 days of excellent weather if a little windy followed by wetter weather for our walk out this morning. Good efforts put in by all candidates over the last week.

Today, on the third day of the Mountain Leader Training course we were out looking at managing a group on steep ground including coaching, spotting, confidence roping, belaying and abseiling around Scout Crag. Awesome weather again with just enough of a chill to remind us it was Autumn Working for Roxcool . This is my last day with the training candidates as I am out on the assessment expedition from tomorrow.

What a day in the hills. Cold but clear working on Day 2 of a Mountain Training Mountain Leader Training course for Roxcool in The Lake District Navigation, Environment, Leadership and an evenings session on tying knots ready for tomorrow. Sometimes the weather just delivers!

With the Mountain Leader Assessment candidates out on expedition with Si and Stu, I was back out on Tryfan for a second day with 2 other candidates who needed a one day steep ground assessment provided by Wet and High Adventures Ltd to finish off their qualification. I am please to say both performed at the required standard and passed. Well Done!