Gwilym's Adventure Blog

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. To celebrate Christmas I thought I would share the best climbing video of all time. A rare video documentary of one of the hardest mountaineering routes in the world.

Me at the bottom of the rapid Marcus in a hole (top centre, look for blue paddle) Today I took Marcus for some 1:1 guiding on The Loop section of The River Dart. He has done some paddling with me before both in The Ardeche and on The Barle last weekend. The water levels were good and just lapping over the slab at the get in. We had a great run with some big standing waves and some of the holes were equally large. Marcus enjoyed Triple Drop so much he went round for another go.

This weekend I was ment to be walking in North Wales but the weather changed that plan so I joined up with Santa ( Dan ) and headed to the River Barle with our Open Canoes. We joined with a group of Kayakers at Tarr Steps and headed on down to Exebridge for coffee. It has been a while since I have been on white water in a canoe and it took a few minutes to remember how much you need to think ahead in order to make the eddies. Rudolph took a battering today but he may be salvageable so keep your eyes peeled for a third appearance later this week.

Santa (Jay) and Rudoplh (me) Rudolph giving out some climbing tips Today Santa (Jay) and Rudolph (me) took a few students off to Dart Rock for a Christmas climb. Some of us went in Fancy Dress. This is the last trip this term for Plymouth College. A few days of paperwork left and then it is off for the 3 week Christmas holiday. Hoping to get out and about alot during this break.

Today with the help of Dan I was running an introduction to White Water Kayking on the River Barle and Exe. All 5 clients had a good time learning to Ferry Glide, Break In and Out as well as how to slide down weirs and run rapids.

Today I was conducting Star Assessments for the students who have been paddling with me over the last 9 weeks. 3 gained their 2 Star and another 13 gained their 1 Star. Well Done.

Another day on the hills Mountain Biking with Bridgwater College students today. The weather was certainly not the best but we still managed a reasonable circuit and although there were a few walkers most appeared to have had a good time.