Intro to Scrambling on Curved Ridge

I braved the torrential rain and gales today and found shelter on Curved Ridge. Carson, Alison, Eildh and I had a great day out despite the weather. The rain got heavier as the day went on, which made crossing the burn on return to the car impossible at the normal point, but much lower down was fine as the river widens. We only experienced the winds full force as we crossed from the summit to the corrie. The 110 mph gusts forecast was about right though. Despite the forecast there is always something to do it seems. I can't believe there was no one else out!

Yorkshire Climbing

Yesterday, despite the weather Neil and I managed to do a bit of Trad at Heptonstall Quarry. Even though it was raining, the wind direction meant the majority of the routes were dry. It was Neil's first visit to the quarry so he got to do a couple of the classics before the weather became too much.

Today we went to Malham to avoid the rain again. It was my first time at the crag today so some classics for me was the aim. Despite some routes seeping, I managed a to onsight a dry Free and Even Easier 7a+ which made my day. Neil ticked his route The New Age Traveller so there were smiles all round.

Climbing Wall Award

I have just finished working of a CWA training course at the EICA. This is the latest edition to the MLTUK qualifications, which is solely climbing wall based. We had 7 candidates on the course with a varied experience level which gave us alot to talk about. The EICA delivers the Abseil module as part of the same course. If your thinking about working in a climbing wall then this is the best award to do.

For more information about the award Visit http://www.mltuk.org/
And for course dates at the EICA www.eica-ratho.com

Cadair Idris

For the last three days I have been working for The College of West Anglia. They run several outdoor courses and this one is call the DOA Diploma in Outdoor Activities. The aim of the three days was to learn/improve there navigation skills. The first to days was a mini exped on and around Cadair Idris, were we would navigate into the night and then find some were to bivi and then walk out the next day. I was with Ben, John, Ben, James and Helen. we did not have the best weather!!! The next day the guys had planned a solo walk this was to put there skills to the test and let them experience the hills for them self's. They headed in to the Rhinogs. Much to are relief they all had a good day and all made it back safe and sound.

Intro to Scrambling

On friday and Saturday I was working for Sea2summit on an intro to scrambling course.  Rob, Wendy and my self headed to the East Face of Tryfan to try and hide from the cold winds. we ascended little and north gullies (Grade 1), which is a surperb intro to gully scrambles.  As you can see in the pics it was a wintery experience. We then headed to the false Gribin (Grade 1) to look at the art of route finding, a fine little outing.

Saturday it was just myself and Rob Heading out in the Very wet weather to, have a look at some harder scrambles, we did a comdination of North-west face route and Idwal staircase and continuation Grade 2. A good combo to get you to the fine Cneifion Arete Grade 3.