This week has been another busy one, with both Learn to Lead and Scrambling Courses going on… We’ve had a mixed bag with the weather, but it turned out ideal for the courses we were running! There been a lot of driving back and forth between Pembrokeshire and Snowdonia, but it’s been well worth it! The start of the week saw us coming back from Snowdonia, after running an ML refresher over the weekend there, so we stopped at Cadair Idris on the Monday on the way back for a quick trip up there, usually a hill we just drive straight past on the way to the more popular areas of North Wales, but it is well worth the stop – a lovely hill…
On Cadair Idris
Once back home in Pembrokeshire, we had Alec with us, on a learn to lead climb course for the week. We had a top few days climbing at several different crags, looking at lots of different rope work and movement skills, as well as climbing a heap of amazing routes. Alec did some awesome leads, and will go onto being a very competent climber if he manages to get out enough with his hectic schedule…! Thanks go to Alun for coming out with us to hold Alec’s rope…
Alec leading Red Wall, Porth Clais
Alec top roping at Porth Clais
Then it was back up to North Wales! the weather was decidedly windier and wetter than Pembrokeshire, but we made the most of it on our Intro to Scrambling course with Paul. First up we did the mega classic Bochlwyd Horseshoe (Tryfan North Ridge, Bristly Ridge and The Cribyn). We covered all the movement skills and mountain sense needed to keep yourself safe in the hills and looked at some navigation.
Looking towards Tryfan
Near Tryfan’s summit
In Sinister Gully
Due to high winds and general dampness, we decided to change our original plan of Crib Goch, to do the South East Ridge of Moel Siabod. Being slightly lower and in a more sheltered position form the prevailing weather, it proved a great decision. We had a lovely day, with Paul leading the way and making decisions and risk assessments. Hopefully Paul now has the confidence to go off on his own and tackle the steep scrambles of Snowdonia!
Moel Siabod’s South East Ridge
Finding steep ground on Moel Siabod