Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Yesterday was dry and very pleasant up high in the Brecon Beacons with a summit of Fan Y Big with a Gold DofE training group from Bristol Cathedral Choir School . Today was very wet and somewhat windy, so it was a short 3 hour "wet weather" experience for the groups before we turned and ran downhill back to the minibus and the journey back to Bristol

On the first day of a Lowland Leader Assessment I am directing for Wet and High Adventures Ltd , the candidates (staff from Wellington School ) and I were in the fields around Wellington and saw the world's most useless gate (pic 2) and a group of very curious sheep. We were also lucky to spot a few deer (wasn't quick enough with my camera) as well as a few robins and finches.

Back out on The Mendips with Churchill Academy for another 8 teams to complete their Bronze expedition. This time I had 3 teams to assess which kept me busy running around various places to see them. I even found the time to rescue two sheep who had managed to get stuck in a fence. I am always impressed at how stupid sheep can be. All teams completed successfully and most of them even enjoyed it.

Out on The Mendip Hills with L2 students from Bridgwater College today looking at navigation skills. We were very lucky and saw an Adder basking in the sun (although most of the other students and the other staff member would disagree with me I think it was a nice thing to see) as well as the usual ponies wandering about.

This weekend I have been out with Haygrove School assisting with a Bronze DofE practice on Exmoor. Great weather for walking but a bit chilly when hanging about waiting for groups. All 10 groups were in on time (probably the first time ever that has happened) and even the packing up and hanging tents went smoothly.

This weekend I have been working for True Adventure in The South Downs meeting my team that I will be taking to Tanzania this summer.

I have been working in conjunction with Bridgwater College this week managing activities for a group of MOD apprentices on their adventurous activity team development week. Thanks to all the instructors (Swifty, Paul, Mark, Robin and Stu) who have worked with me and made my life easy (ish). The groups climbed, biked and had a 2 day expedition across Dartmoor. Next week three of these guys and 2 others will be running an identical week in my abscence as I am realising one of my life goals tomorrow as I fly out to the Galapagos Islands for 2 weeks. Normally I would be nervous of being away with a big event on but the team worked so well this week that I am completely relaxed about leaving them to it. Cheers guys. Be good and have fun

I am still working with Haygrove School  Year 8 pupils and today we left Wimbleball Lake and headed up onto Haddon Hill for a walk and some map reading lessons. All the groups made it up in time for lunch at the top before completing the circuit back via the dam to the tea rooms for a well deserved Ice Cream. A much drier and warmer day today meaning we enjoyed good views from the top.

A mountain journey today bringing together all that we have looked at previously by ascending Y Gribyn ridge, up to Glyder Fawr. This allowed the candidates to consolidate moving on steep ground, navigation and managing a group to time on a full mountain day. Being a low wind and no precipitation day certainly made it very pleasant and a good reminder of why I work in the hills. I have finished working with the candidates today and they will be in Jez's capable hands for the 2 day expedition in the Molewyns

Today the aim was looking at security on steep ground so I took the candidates to the bottom end of Llanberis Pass to look at all aspects from verbal coaching through to using a rope. Jez joined us today as it is always nice to have a second instructor on hand and this meant that we were able to cover a lot of topics and the candidates could try different approaches.

Today the wind was still blowing (97mph recorded in Capel Curig over night) but it was no longer snowing (that is my poetry for the day) so we tried to find some protection in the lee side to continue with our training. Apart from a short hail shower we had reasonable weather today and only got battered by the wind when we were on the ridge (at a mere 400 m).

This week I am directing a Mountain Leader Training course in North Wales. The 5 candidates and I braved the rain, snow and wind as we navigated our way around the Llanberis Pass including visit into Cwm Glas. It was not a day for the summits today and I am not sure tomorrow will be any better. The weather looks like it will improve though. Lots done today with navigation as the theme but not forgetting both environmental and leadership issues. Sorry for photos but the water on the lens just shows the weather we had today

Today the second group of my Bridgwater College FdSc Public Services students were out on Exmoor undertaking some navigation practice. Although the forecast was not great we actually had a good day with cloud but no rain. The students not only stuck to time, they were actually a little bit early which always make me happy.