North Wales winter climbing

Another cold day in Wales on Sunday with snow down to the road level in Capel Curig. Rob and I went to the Idwal stream, which was in good condition with plenty of ice there was still some running water in places but enough ice to avoid getting wet. A few more days of cold weather should see more of the ice routes around the Devils kitchen coming into condition.

Snowdon

After driving up from Devon and listening to snow reports in the East of the country I was pleased to find the weather in North Wales was bitterly cold and with snow forecast. On Saturday we went to look at an old favourite - Central Trinity on Snowdon. A good climb but it needs a few days of freeze/thaw to harden up the new snow. On the top it was very cold - shame the summit cafe wasn't open!

Dartmoor

Met up with Darren for a day at the Dewerstone. The weather was great in the morning withsun and clear skies but as forecast the rain arrived at 2.30 so we retreated to the Dartrock climbing wall for some indoor routes and a nice cup of tea. By the time we left many of the roads were getting flooded. Forecast to rain on sunday as well.

Berry Head

After a very wet end to August it has been great to have a sunny weekend so I took the opportunity to do Quality St at Berry head a 230ft VS traverse of the end of the headland which goes just above the high water mark. A great position and nice to be beside the sea!


Ben on pitch 2

Dewerstone

After another wet week in August I finally met up with Anthony who was going climbing to celebrate his 30th birthday. Anthony was already a good wall climber who makes regular visits to The Castle in London. We got some much needed sunshine on Saturday and as it was a bank holiday weekend the crag was very busy. After a morning of belay escapesand rescues we avoided the crowds and did Fly on the Wall (HS) and Spiders Web (HVS 5a)

Dewerstone

After the heat of Baggy on Thursday it was back to the damp of Dartmoor today. I met up with Mark from Cornwall and did three routes at the Dewerstone, Mark was climbing well and didn't mind the wet!

Popped into the new Dartrock wall on the way home and it looks very good. Well worth a visit if you are in the area.

Baggy Point

A hot and sunny day today at Baggy. I met up with Mat just after high tide and went to do some routes on the Promontory and Long Rock slabs. We did Ben (s), Marion (HS) and Lost Horizon (VS). A very enojyable day.

Mat on Ben

Bosigran

Another good day on Friday, climbed at Bosigran with Jon and did Venusberg (VS) and Zig zag (VS) and it was another hot day.

Chair ladder

A hot day at a great climbing venue. Did Terriers Tooth and Pedulum Chimney on Thursday, 2 great routes on nice granite.

Sat at the top of Pedulum Chimney - what a great view!

Coasteering

Today I took students from Court Fields on a coasteering trip at Baggy Point. It rained but this didn't matter as we were in the sea and jumping and swimming. A very enjoyable session and hopefully many of them will back again next year.

Hay Tor Court Fields School

I took students from my school to Hay Tor for a climbing session today and despite a wet and windy start the students climbed well and enjoyed the experience.

Sheepstor

A day out at Sheepstor with Jon, Paul and Josh. The weather was good after a shower in the morning and the boys were able to do some leading as well as plenty of top roping. A very enjoyable day.

Josh - learning to lead

Dewerstone

I was back at the Dewerstone on Saturday with Ian from Somerset who was keen to do some climbing and look at belays on multi-pitch climbs. After a warm up route we climbed Fly on the Wall (HS) and Vineyard (VS). It was nice to see fellow instructors Andy Holborn and Ben Bradford who were both working with groups at the crag.

I'll be back here next weekend.

Ian on pitch 3 of Vineyard

Wye Valley

Had such a nice day last week that I came back today with Duncan to do some more. Angel Eyes HVS 5b was a great route with lots of exposure but a bit of a tricky start. We also did Puma HVS.

Wye Valley

Met up with Jon at Wintours Leap and climbed Right Hand Route (HS), Nibelheim (VS) and Bacchanalian (HS) Jon was trying to push his grade and ended up doing the 5b finish on this route.

A great day on some very nice routes above the river Wye.

Swanage

The long abseil into Boulder Ruckle. A nice day at Swanage on some steep limestone.

Bosigran

Julia and Paul came down to Bosigran and we did Commando Ridge. The sea was a bit rough as we raced to start the first pitch but we had a good time on the ridge and the weather was very nice for early April. By the end of the day it was warm and sunny - another nice weekend in Cornwall.

Cornwall Classics Easter

I will be teaching in Cornwall on 4-5th April. If you would like to climb on the cliffs of Bosigran or Chair Ladder give me a call.

Kayaking

After the snows of two weeks ago normal weather has returned and I have been doing some kayaking and surfing. The beach in February, can't be bad!

Exmoor Snow

After a very cold week we got lots more snow today. School closed hurrah!