SPA training

Last weekend Simon ran an SPA training course for the Adventures club.

Baggy Point

A lovely sunny day on Saturday, Baggy Point was crowded perhaps becuase the surf was non-existent! The tide was low enabling us to do Kinky Boots VS right from the beach, later Simon did his first lead (Marion) on the slab.

Alps

Paul on the approach to the Covercle Refuge.

A mixed week in the Alps lots of rain at the start of the work produced lots of fresh snow making routes like Mont Blanc de Tacul hard work.

Alps

Off to the Alps tomorrow, its a busy life!

Cornwall

After a few days on holiday near Sennen I met up with John for a few days at Bosigran. This is the third year in a row that I have worked with John and in that time he has gone from a begineer to being a very competent second on multi-pitch routes and now also being able to lead many of the pitches. Its great to see someone of 50 developing these skills and getting very fit!

Routes included Big Top (VD), Ledge Route, (VD), Doorway (S) and Ding (HS). The picture shows John on the top pitch of Doorway at Bosigran.

Court Fields School

Three days of activites for the students at my oown school started with a trip to Dartmoor. Temperatures reached 90F for our session at Bone Hill rocks. This year I have been assisted by Baz Donovan a highly experienced instructor from Bristol.

A day at the coast on Thursday was a welcome relief from the heat. The students really enjoyed the coasteering, especially the jumping in! They all want to have another go so we be running this activity again!














Another trip to Dartmoor for some climbing and abseiling at Hay Tor finished off the week. The weather was perfect and the students were all up for the challenge. Thanks to Sue for delivering them every day by mini bus.

SPA Assessment

Spent the weekend working with Simon on an SPA assessment course. We used Sheeps Tor, Hay Tor and Chudleigh. The weather was hot (too hot!). Contact me for more course dates. We have a training course planned for the Autumn and an assessment in Jersey in October.

Lead climbing course

Working with the Jackob family again developing their leading skills. The lads have made great progress since last year. Over the weekend they climbed routes at the Dewerstone (Mucky Gully, Needle Arete and Fly on the Wall), Hound Tor and Hay Tor (Wobbling Wall and Raven Gully)

SPA training

A busy day at Hay Tor, Simon was running another SPA training course. We have an assessment on July 15/16. Please call if you need a place

Hay Tor Hen Party

A busy day working with Karen and all her friends doing an abseiling day for her Hen Party. The weather was excellent. I hope the girls had a great time in the evening!

Kayaking

Have been doing Kayaking trips on the River Avon (S Devon) the last two weekends. A nice scenic estuary paddle that ends up at the beautiful beach at Bantham.

Summer at last

After a wet start to the week the summer has arrived. This week I have been climbing at The Cheesewring Quarry on Bodmin Moor, Wreckers Slab on the North Devon coast (400ft VS) and Baggy Point. Its nice to pack the sun tan lotion after a cold and wet start to May.

Sheeps Tor

A wet day at Sheeps Tor on 27 May with Daniel and Chris. Did lots of gear placement and belay building practice to help make them independent climbers. Hope the summer arrives soon!

Went to Swanage with friends Ben and Paul. Another sunny Swanage day. The photo shows me just below the belay of pitch one on Quality St (HVS) at Cormorant Ledge.

Climbing and scrambling skills

It hasn't rained for weeks, but today it was very wet on the moor as we used the rocky outcrops for teaching ropework and scrambling skills.
Check the weather using this web cam

I am looking forward to using the new climbing walls in Devon. One at South Molton and the other on the Haldon Hills.

Italy -ice climbing

Just back from a week in Cogne in Italy, lots of steep ice and reliable conditions (unlike Scotland!) The picture on the right is of Baz on Mur de Patri in Valnontey, it was snowing heavily that day. Make sure you have some snow chains with you if you are in a hire car we have needed them every time we come to this region in February. The area around Cogne is also good for cross country skiing.

Swanage

An early start to the season, still only January but you can always find some winter sunshine at Swanage! Spent the day with Brian and Sally at Cattle Troughs doing some of the easy routes. Needed our shades in the middle of the day - can't be bad!

Scotland

Spent a few days doing some winter hill walking in Scotland over the new year. Lots of snow and good conditions but thawing quickly on Jan 1st.

Spain

Its now the Kayaking season and the weather is less reliable - so I am off to Spain to visit my old mate Rob and clip some bolts
This is one of the short routes on the Puig Campana just 6 pitches!

Lead climbing

The Jackob family came down from Kent for two days of lead climbing at the Dewerstone and Sheeps Tor. By the end of the second day all the guys were building belays with confidence and leading routes.

Dewerstone

Introduced James to the joys of climbing, a bit safer than his previous hobby of motorcycle racing!

Gower

A great weekend on the Gower climbing at Falls Bay and 3 cliffs. Lovely beaches and very few people - great place.

Gull Rock

Dodged the showers today and did some routes on Gull Rock North Devon. Beautiful scenery and a great cream tea at Morwenstow!

Low Man

A great day on Low Man (Hay Tor) with Jon who has improved greatly since last year. Did some good multi-pitch routes including Raven Gully, Levitation and Honeymoon Corner. We had the crag to ourselves and the weather was windy but warm.

Alps

Off to the alps on holiday, back in a week.

Baggy Point

After a wet morning in Scrattling Zawn the weather got the better of us and we went surfing instead!

Dartmoor

A great day with Simon at Sheeps Tor and the Dewerstone including ascents of Needle Arete and Central Groove.

Hay tor and Hound tor

Spent 3 days working with my own school students climbing at Hound Tor and Hay Tor, the rain held off and a good time was had by all. Many thanks to Ben and Paul for providing the canoeing activities.

Swanage

Spent a hot sunny day with Rob and Graham teaching lead climbing skills at Subliminal ledge, Swanage. Both made excellent progress

Wreckers Slab

Met up with Mark, and accountant from London who had done a lot of climbing with other guides and instructors in the Alps and Spain. He wanted an adventure so Wreckers Slab was our destination. 400ft of coastal climbing looking down on the sea on the North Devon coast. The weather was very hot and the setting was perfect and there was no one else on the route!

Bosigran

A scorching weekend at this beautiful cornish crag. I introduced Joe and Alex to the joys of climbing in Cornwall, they did routes like Ledge climb, Big Top, Black Slab and Ochre Slab. A tip from Alex, " don't wear tight rock shoes designed for the wall" after a day in the sun she could hardly walk in them!

Dewerstone

June 3rd
Mixed weather today meant that we were the only ones on the crag for most of the day. Managed to do 3 multi-pitch routes with Simon. He enjoyed the exposure on the final pitch of route B and the top pitch of Vineyard.

SPA training

A busy weekend working with Mike Timson MIC and Brian Dent MIA on an SPA taining and assessment course in South Wales. A full day at Symonds Yat followed by an evening on the wall. On the Sunday we went to Morlais quarry. Contact Mike for other courses via Under Cover Rock.