I ran a CWA training course over the weekend for 5 candidates at the
Beacon Climbing Centre. We covered subjects such as warming up, games, group management and belaying techniques we also covered leading and everyone took part in the Abseil and Top Rope Module on the Sunday afternoon.
I had a couple of days working at Plas y Brenin this weekend. The weather was very changeable with high winds and heavy showers on the first day. Today was a lot better with only the occasional shower but it certainly felt cold on the top of Glyder Fawr with excellent views by the time we reached the top. The first day was spent looking at navigation skills in Cwm Dyli and the ridge leading up to Lliwedd (this is the bit that most Snowdon Horseshoers miss and is the true start/end). Today was a mountain day looking at group management on difficult terrain on Seniors Ridge with a descent down Y Gribin.
Worked for the
Outdoor Partnership today and looked at ML ropework with 2 clients both of which are looking at putting themselves forward for assessment very soon. We went over to Clogwyn y Tarw in Cwm Idwal and worked over on the right and central parts to cover subjects such as direct and indirect belays, anchor types, lowering and abseiling techniques as well as confidence roping. The photo is of Arwyn being lowered in a Thompson Knot by Mike from a direct anchor.
Martin and Marc with Moel Siabod in the background.
Martin a Marc gyda Moel Siabod yn y cefndir.
Diwrnod da heddiw gyda 4 yn troi i fyny o Antur 'Stiniog. Aethom i ardal y Moelwyn o fewn tafliad carreg o Cnicht. Yn ystod y diwrnod oeddwn yn trafod ac ymarfer llywio yn y mynyddoedd gyda map 1:25,000 a gwaith rhaff i gerddwyr mynydd. Digon i gadw ni fynd am fwy na diwrnod felly mwy o ymarfer fory.
Had a great day today with a day spent mentoring 4 members of Antur 'Stiniog. We went to the Moelwyn area around Cnicht. We discussed and practiced navigation using a 1:25,000 map and rope work for mountain walkers. Plenty to keep us going for more than a day so more of the same tomorrow.
(l-r) Martin, Gareth, Marc and Rommee.
A cold and windy day in the pass today with the sun tantalisingly close just down the valley. It was very quiet today with only 3 other parties on the crag. We did Western Slabs VS and The Cracks HS (the photo is of pitch 4 -The Cracks).
We had a very constructive day today looking at navigation and rope work. The weather didn't help much as it was absolutely beautiful all day! We just looked at navigating with the only a 1:25,000 map today in order to consolidate ground to map and map to ground interpretation and we went through the basics of pacing and timing. The rope work was a matter of running through the syllabus requirements of the Mountain Leader Award as the guys with me today will be going for their assessment in the next few months. The photo l -r is of Martin and Gareth with Afon Lledr and Yr Wyddfa in the background.
Well, the weather forecast was wrong again today. We had a dry day again today with the rain not arriving until 3.00 - 3.30. We went to the area behind the Pen y Gwryd Hotel - Moel Perfedd and the southern flank of Glyder Fawr to look at navigation and to discuss teaching and navigation techniques. I was so busy I didn't have a chance to take a photo - well I forgot really! Thanks to the 5 who turned out to the workshop to make it an interesting and thought provoking event.
Diolch yn fawr a hwyl am y tro.
Had a great day today with 5 trainees on Tryfan. I was expecting a bit of a wet day but it was OK all day with very little wind and we even saw the sun at times. We looked at short roping techniques in ascent on Tryfan Bach and North Buttress Variant (2) and in descent on Little and North Gullies (1).
(l - r) Nat, Andy, Steve, Tom and Chris on North Buttress Variant.
