April Showers

Had a great walk into the Nant Ffrancon this morning in the sunshine. 

After coffee with friends at The Cottage, we had hail, then more sunshine.

Optimistically set off to climb in the slate quarries, but got shut down by several heavy showers..

By evening, the sun was back!

Kayaking around Puffin Island

With a mixed forecast of sunshine, showers, sleet and snow, we decided that we might just get away with a circumnavigation of Puffin Island today.

Setting off from Pen Mon, the skies were blue, the sea calm and there was just enough tidal movement to push us along. We'd not been going long before we came across our first seals of the day. At the far end of the Island were the usual group of inquisitive seals. Some were happy chilling on the rocks; others jumped into the water and popped up around us to see what was going on. Some were brave enough to nibble the toggles on the end of the kayaks!

On the northern coast, the cliffs were pack with birds - all lined up like bottles behind a bar. As we went past a good amount of them dived off one by one, like a sort of Mexican Wave which was amazing.

As we made the homeward leg, the mountains of Snowdon became quickly engulfed in clouds and a strong headwind picked up. A huge snow-filled squall was passing eastwards along the Menai Straits, but luckily it just missed us!

The wind got stronger though and I got a good soaking as waves crashed over the front of my boat! 

Shortly after, the sun was back out and our hardcore return crossing looked all very settled. Given this this good fortune, we took ourselves off for tea and scones!

Our first adventure in our new van - so far we're super pleased with it...

Boating and Bouldering

A day of two halves! The bulk of the day was spent very pleasantly floating around Llyn Padarn, below Snowdon running a canoe skills session. Beautifully sunny, but bitterly cold. There was even a slight dusting of snow on the hills when we arrived in the morning.

Late afternoon, into the evening was spent cleaning and then route setting Boulder problems for next weeks competition.

Winters last gasp?!

Crazy April weather. Tropicana days are over and Antarctica is here! Been indoors in the climbing wall today. Cloudy and wet until the evening. This time last week I was camping by the Ogwen on a beautiful summers evening; at 5.30pm this evening it was 2.5 degrees and snowing at The Cottage!

The clouds lifted just before sunset to reveal a fresh dusting of snow on the mountains as we walked down to Bethesda to watch a Gig. 

Underground...

Did something completely different today. I'm quite up for new experiences, even if they turn out to be things that I'd rather not repeat! Today was a good example of taking such an opportunity, after being asked to help out with a group in the Brasgyll Valley Caves, above St Aseph.

Wriggling through a small, muddy hole in the ground is not really my cup of tea any more, but it was an interesting place and as it was on a private estate, it's not somewhere I'd ever be likely to get the chance to go to otherwise. Before I had chance to protest, I was decked out in borrowed clothes, wellies, helmet and headlamp and was marching off through a forest down to a river valley. 

The cave entrance was small to say the least and required us to squirm in on out bellies, keeping our heads facing sideways so that the helmets wouldn't get stuck. Once past the leaf litter and spooky spiders, the passage widened to where we could re-group and take a look around. Above our heads (about 10cm above us) were four 'Horseshoe Bats' clinging to the ceiling by their tiny feet.

The cave had various entrances and exits and during the course of the day we explored most of the cave system. The smallest squeeze involved lying in (and shuffling through) a passage that was less wide than my size 8 wellies: I had to twist onto my side to fit through. Progress was slow.

A 9m vertical pitch at the end of a tight 'corkscrew' shape passage was the crux of the day. Getting down it (in a waterfall) was tricky and wet, but getting back up again later was even more problematic. This involved climbing an electron ladder up through the waterfall then moving like a distressed seal pup, up the smooth sided 'corkscrew' desperately trying to gain some purchase off the walls to help with some forward motion. 

Eventually, the sweet sight of daylight was located and we burst out into the fresh air all claiming that it was nowhere near as hard as it felt and that no one was really scared by all the spiders (much)... 

Messing about in Boats

There's nothing quite like messing about in boats, according to Ratty in 'Wind of the Willows' and on days like today I'd have to agree. 

A sunny day has been spent circumnavigating Llyn Padarn in Llanberis with some students. Only a little light (but cold) wind in the afternoon, but otherwise a totally glorious day! The water however, is still shockingly cold, and some of my students can verify this fact after an impromptu dunking!

It hazed over in the evening, but is still feeling pleasantly warm. We took a walk from The Cottage, down along the Afon Ogwen and soaked up the evening Carneddau views. Feels like summer, but will it last?!...

Sunshine and Climbing

More stella weather and more rock climbing in the sun. I spent the afternoon with some students climbing in the sun trap that is Penmaenbach Quarry.

Then moved down to Bus Stop Quarry above Llanberis for the evening session. The main climbing area was surprisingly busy, so we move onto the smaller (and less climbed) area opposite the main cliffs. A blessing In disguise as it turned out as we had the full warmth of the sun on us. 

After a quick route - Mini Bus Stop (5c) we carried on down the village for a BBQ at our friends house, while Snowdon glowed red in the evening sun. 

- Penmaenbach Quarry

Easy Peasey Lemon Squeezy F(3c)

- Llanberis Slate Quarries

Mini Bus Stop F(5c)

Climbing in the Llanberis Pass - Craig Ddu

Another day of classic climbs in the sunshine. North Wales at its best! Today we were in the Llanberis Pass. We optimistically called in at the car park at Pen y Pass hoping to do a climb near there, but it was already full. Instead, we drove down through the pass (plenty of space in the lay-bys here) and took the short walk up to the cliff of Craig Ddu. It's got a (justified) reputation for being a bit wet, but there was no worry of that today.

We did three great routes, but which all involved walking down across the slopey grass from the top of the cliff. Our first route, Petite Fleur, HS (4b) has a really good first pitch but was followed by a scrappy finish. Getting round the overhangs was dramatic though.

The top of terror! - steep grass in smooth rock boots. Not an ideal combination!

Quality rock and blue skies abound all day. You don't often get too many t-shirt climbing days in April around here. After an extended bout of sunbathing, we climbed Yellow Groove VS (4b), which is excellent and well recommended.

The postcard view from the top, looking down the pass towards Llanberis and Angelesy.

Just another ordinary Tuesday in the life of Ian and Clare...

Then, just to top things off, we even made it down to Llanberis for last orders at "Georgio's" the ice cream shop! Proper holiday stuff! 

- Petite Fleur HS (4b) (we'd give it a *)

- Yellow Groove VS (4b)**

- Crown of Thorns S (4a)* (in almost one long pitch)

Tremadog - Classic 'VS' Climbing

What a wonderful Monday to be on holiday at home! A high pressure system is sat right over Wales, which is great news for anyone in the mountains of Snowdonia right now. After a leisurely start at The Cottage, we took ourselves out into the blue sky spring day and down to the cliffs of Tremadog for some sunny rock climbing. 

As it was a Monday morning, the crag was pretty much deserted and the route we wanted to climb had no one on it. Felt  really holiday like to gear up at the car and stroll over to climb a classic 'VS' grade route. No hassle. Very enjoyable. 

After despatching 'One Step in the Clouds', we abseiled down for some lunch. For the first time in a very long time, our ropes got stuck though. Undettered, we just left the ropes and walked the two minutes down the car and enjoyed a lunch in the sun. By the time we were ready to go again, another pair of climbers had appeared at the top and dropped our ropes down to us! Very convenient!

Next up was 'Grim Wall' VS (4c)** followed by 'Mr Ranger VS (4c)* which is one of the few climbs at that grade which  I don't think I've climbed before. Nice to still be finding new stuff to go at. 

All in all, a fantastic day on the rock. T-Shirts all day, but never too hot. No wind, spacious belay ledges and great views and even better company. All just forty-five minutes from the comfort of The Cottage. Great day. 

One Step in the Clouds VS (4c)***

Grim Wall VS (4c)**

Mr Ranger VS (4c)*

Moel y Ci Views

Quick lap of Moel y Ci this evening to soak up some of the great views that it offers. Despite the blue skies, the wind is bitterly cold at the moment, but I'd always rather it cold and sunny than warm but raining! All in all, a great day to be out walking in Snowdonia.

North Wales Coastal Path

A North Wales stunner today and the perfect kind of day to be working in the mountains. I've been with a group of Duke of Edinburgh's Award students along parts of the long distance 'North Wales Path'. The views out towards the Orme and Angelesy were crystal clear and out of the cold easterly wind, it's been gloriously warm. First time up in the mountains of Snowdonia for a while and it's good to be reminded what a fantastic place this is that we live in.

Spring lambs were all over the place.

Looking towards Angelsey.

Currently camped up near Tregarth after a summer like sunny evening. Isn't camping great when the weathers like this!

Llyn Geirionydd and the Gorge

Nice weather to be working outdoors today. Geirionydd Gorge scrambling was nice, but the views of the lake were better.

Found this rock in the gorge, which has some kind of interesting mineral deposit on it, but I'm lacking any suggestions of what it might be?

Cottage Life

Took a walk from The Cottage this evening after dinner. The snow has all gone from the hills, but there is still a fresh nip in the air. It might be BST, but the wood burner is still getting plenty of well needed use!

Nice to be able to walk from your dining table and enjoy a sun set like this after a hectic day... Gotta love The Cottage.