This weekend I’ve been running an SPA assessment in Pembrokeshire. The SPA is an award for rock climbing instructors that allows them to take groups climbing outdoors on single pitch crags, and is overseen by Mountain Training, who I am a provider for. It’s a cornerstone in many instructors careers and crucial to being able to work in an outdoor activity centre. I’ve had the pleasure of assessing Sara and Helena, both local Instructors. Sara… Continue reading

The start Spring had been great these last couple of weeks, meaning we’ve been out climbing in Pembrokeshire lots! I’ve always said the climbing in Pembrokeshire is special, and that’s one of the reasons I’ve made it my home here, but this last week was truly awesome in the sun! Ben and I had a great day on a very familiar crag, but it’s just so good I like to climb the routes there each… Continue reading

So I’ve left Scotland all behind and am now back home in Pembrokeshire, but got inspired by some of the Scottish landscapes I saw this winter, so thought I’d do a quick blog to remind myself how nice it can be up there! We endured some pretty grim and desperate days, leading to lots of important decision to be made on the hill both with clients and when out climbing and skiing personally, we saw… Continue reading

Scottish Winter Climbing with my cousin… Over the weekend, my cousin Ed flew up to Inverness to meet me, and experience what Scottish winter climbing is all about. He’s a keen walker, but mostly in his home of the Cotswolds’, so Scottish winter climbing was a bit of a step up! (And despite the big cousin ‘big talk’ he is pretty terrified of heights!). We  were staying at the wonderful Karn House, a hut owned by… Continue reading

SAIS & Avalanche Avoidance Earlier in the winter I was lucky enough to attend an SAIS avalanche course, funded by the Chris Walker Memorial Trust. We spent the day with Graeme Moss, one of the forecasters for the SAIS in Lochaber, and looked at how they make their predictions, as well as gaining an insight into some of the latest developments in the avalanche forecasting world. One of the most interesting points was that the… Continue reading

Over the winter I’ve had some fantastic days Ski Touring in Scotland, and thought I’d share one particular day here, as it was one of the best I’ve had in the hills, on skis or climbing, anywhere in the world! Yes, Scotland can be pretty magical… For this particular day Ski Touring in Scotland, I was out with Ben, a mate from Pembrokeshire, who was also up north of the boarder working. The weather forecast was near perfect, and looked set… Continue reading

MIC Training This last week I’ve been on my MIC Training in Scotland, run by Plas Y Brenin. The focus of the week is to build on the skills gained through the MIA and WML assessment process, and build on your experience to eventually go for assessment. The Mountain Training website details the awards they oversee, but here is a brief description of the mountain based ones: ML (Mountain Leader) – to take people summer hillwalking WML (Winter Mountain Leader)… Continue reading

Winter Skills Weekend in Scotland… Peter and Stuart had made the long journey from Northern Ireland and Darren had travelled from South Wales for our Winter Skills Weekend Course in Scotland this weekend – and man were they treated to some ‘proper’ Scottish weather! It was one of those weekends that you really should spend in a cafe, but that meanrt there was lots of learning to be had – mostly won the hard way!… Continue reading

Venues We are able to carry out our courses in a variety of locations to meet your needs.  It is stated on the course information where they can be held.  This flexibility means we can make the best of the weather, conditions and travel time. Pembrokeshire – Possibly the most diverse climbing area in the UK, world class sea-cliffs, single and multi pitch, deep water soloing, bouldering – we have it all!  With a very… Continue reading