The long road to Longtown

Time for a mini-roadtrip! This time I'm heading to South Wales to catch up with old friends. It's been ages since I've been to the Black Mountains or The Gower and after an epic journey that got me as far as Longtown, I began to see why!

 

It was almost comical, the way hold ups, traffic lights and road works kept turning up. Even getting through the Ogwen Valley was reduced to a crawl behind a slow moving lorry. Tarmacing, dry stone walling, tree felling, you name it, I came across it! Every now and then I rejoiced at being able to use 5th gear, before turning the next corner to see another horse box or caravan or horse and cart or most frequently a tractor. Stay calm and enjoy the views and carry on...

The Sat Nav was no help (I should have trusted my instinct and rusty memory), as with only a few miles to go it tried to convince me to take the potholed road down to a ford that was clearly the terrain for tractors only. I backed off without any further assessment needed.

 

However, for my troubles and over five hours after leaving home, I eventually rolled into my old haunt at Longtown Outdoor Education Centre.

After a great chat with Bob at his house over a pot of tea and several slices of fruit cake, I called in and said Hi to Doris at the Centre. A group was just arriving, so I had a quick look around before heading back to Bobs for dinner. There's still a photo of me on top of an Alpine Peak in the main corridor - from 19 years ago!

 

The rest of the evening was spent reminiscing about the good old days - which I was surprised to find were nearly 20 years ago, when I was a Voluntary Instructor at the Centre! It's been amazing to share stories and swap info on various adventures that we've both had. It's no surprise that we both have a lot of mutual friends too in the outdoor world. 

I'd planned to move on the The Brecon Beacons this eve, but it got late quickly and then a van bivi spot presented itself and I'm sure keen to sleep...

Surfing When it's Wet

A busy few days have just been spent on various things including lots of fixing things in the stores, a trip down a gorge with some students and a good helping of general admin. The weather has finally broken and I was about to have a chilled day in at The Cottage, when I noticed that the surf forecast was looking promising... 

Promising for North Wales that is. The good swell was set to be accompanied by heavy rain and southerly gales. I thought a sheltered bay on Anglesey would be worth a look. The only problem was that the best conditions (due to the state of the tide) were most likely first thing in the morning. It was a battle to drag myself out of my warm bed into a wild day, but something was telling me to go for it. 

The van was rocking in the wind as I pulled up at the beach, but the bay looked sheltered. And although there was no one else around, there was (joy!) some waves. 

 

Another van pulled up to assess the waves. I decided to go for it and was pleased to find that it was much warmer than expected in the water. After a bit of paddling about in the swell, I found the best spot and enjoyed some great long rides as more surfers turned up. I whooped out loud at the end of a particularly good ride and even got a thumbs up from some other surfers. It was a very friendly and sociable line up! By the time I was too tired to paddle, my feet had become too numb to stand! It was definitely time to get out!

Today also marks the 4th Anniversary of our Wedding Party. Four years ago it was crisp blue skies and deep snow and ice all over the mountains. We went for an evening walk up the track to reminisce in slightly different (wet) conditions.

 

 

But that made coming back for fireside coffee and cake celebrations all the more appealing. 

 

Followed by a big dinner, pumping tunes and a glass or two of the wedding champagne made for a perfect celebration - especially as we were both about to embark on a hectic weekend...

Woodland Woodwork

It's been a hectic day of many parts and venues across North Wales, but did at least start off in a relaxed way (well, as relaxed as you can be with the potentially grey hair inducing cocktail of a group of students with knives and fire). In actual fact, the potential nightmare morning all went rather well - and it made for a different morning too, as we spent it whittling wood around a campfire in the forest, with sunlight streaming through the trees. I've been doing some 'tool making' out in the Colwyn Bay Forest School with my group.

It was the perfect morning for some forest time...

 

We all made a wooden mallet out of a recently felled Birch tree, which was all very chilled and rather therapeutic.

 

Next stop was a visit to the Holyhead Lifeboat and Coastguard where the marina looked and felt tropical!

 

While I was looking across to Snowdonia, Clare was up in the mountains looking out at Holyhead! Here's her view from the summit of Moel y Ci.

 

In the evening, we took a walk from The Cottage down to the river to skip some stones. We went a slightly different way and found this natural bridge that I couldn't resist crossing.

 

Made it back home at dusk and suddenly felt rather tired....

 

Gnat Attack E1 (5b) - Llanberis Slate Climbing

Yippee! The clocks have changed and the evenings are getting lighter (although we didn't realise until it didn't start getting dark at 8pm!). Perfect for climbing on the Rippled Slab at Bus Stop Quarry while the sun goes down.

Gnat Attack is a classic (scary!) slate climb - tiny holds on a blank slab and not many bolts - only two on the whole climb. It's twelve meters up to the first bolt, so requires a steady head, commitment and confidence. We've both climbed it quite a few times, but it never looses its edge. It was good to get focused, get a buzz and make the most of what has been some fantastic weather.

Earlier during the day I was running a student Orienteering event. We had a great turn out and there was a real festival vibe at the start line with pumping music and everyone really fired up for the race.

 

I had to run the course to put out the markers in the morning and then again in the afternoon to pack away, so got some good exercise as well. The view of Llandudno and the North Coast was uninterrupted from the top of the hill.

 

And as if that wasn't enough, I also ran a short bouldering session at the wall - in exchange for a well-received ice cream from the students! When the weather is good like this, everything feels great...

 

Tryfan Bach and RAC Boulders

I don't think I've ever seen the Ogwen Valley so busy. Solid blue skies and light winds, snow-capped peaks and double figure temperatures had brought the masses to the mountains! There were cars lining the valley as we drove through at the end of the day. In anticipation of a busy Saturday, I'd chosen to take my climbing group bouldering at the RAC boulders near Capel Curig. Even here though there must have been nearly fifty people climbing, bouldering and enjoying the summer feel. There was even a film crew with one group and a drone flying overhead! Luckily, it was easy to disperse and find an area to ourselves.

It was a fabulous day to be out. We even sunbathed on the bouldering mats while we had lunch.

 

In the afternoon, we progressed onto some rope climbing at Tryfan Bach. By 13:30, the sun was fully on the big slab of rock so we could still climb in the sun, but as it is still early in the season, the shadows came across us at 15:00 and the difference between climbing in sun and shade was striking. After climbing some of the lower pitches, I quickly took the older team members to the summit before we had to leave.

Tryfan Bach:
- Crack 4, Diff**

Alpine Ogwen - Classic Scrambling

What a stunning day to be out climbing in the mountains. I've out today with Rusty - a fellow MIC with the good fortune to also live within striking distance of Cwm Idwal - and with some free time this morning. It was quite nippy when we met up (there is still a bit of snow on the tops), but there was not a cloud in the sky and it promised to be a beauty. To stay sheltered from the cold easterlies, we chose to climb in Cwm Idwal, which meant a chilly walk in and a shady start, but not for long...

 

 After only one pitch in the shade, were soon up high in the glorious sunshine.

 

The visibility was superb and by mid-morning, there was barely a breath of wind.

After four pitches of climbing, we reached the top of Sub Cneifion Rib and walked the short distance over to the more dramatic looking (but actually a bit easier) Cneifion Arete. There was a real Alpine feel to the place as we crunched through the snow to get up to the base of the ridge.

 

We've both climbed the arete numerous times, but it's still brilliant. Warm rock, blue skies and surrounded by snow capped mountains! We were grinning from ear to ear.

 

After pitching the tricky sections, we put the rope away for the last bit and enjoyed the freedom of moving together up to the summit.

 

 

Before we knew it, we were back on the flat of the summit plateau and back in the snow!

 

After taking in the views of Tryfan and the Glyders, we quickly made our way back down to Ogwen Cottage. There's something rather satisfying about being able to complete two classic mountain climbs and still be back home for a late lunch. Both very glad to have been able to make the most of the weather. What a place to live!

Cwm Idwal:
- Sub Cneifion Rib V.Diff***
- Cneifion Arete, Diff***

The Llyn Brenig Trail

All calm up at the Llyn Brenig Sailing Club. I hiked a section of the footpath that runs around the lake. I've never walked the trail before, so it was nice to be somewhere new. It's a wide open place that is exposed to the wind, but today was just right for the conditions. I was with a group of students who got picked up and sailed back across the water to the sailing club, while I returned on foot with a different team via the dam.

Aberglaslyn Gorge Trail

Winter is still not done for 2017. There was a dusting of (mostly hail) snow up on the tops again today and an icy wind in the valleys. Given the forecast was for more heavy hail showers, my trekking group opted for the more sheltered valley walk of the Aberglaslyn Gorge, down near Beddgelert. It's a long drive down there, but a spectacular place. On the way we stopped to admire the Snowdon skyline while it was free of clouds. (Snowdon is the peak on the left and Crib Goch runs along the skyline from the dark peak on the right).

We parked just above the village and walked at a good pace into the centre, in full sunshine. We made a quick stop for a brew and to have a chat about some expedition techniques and navigation strategies before setting off to put theory into practice.

The walk along the river gorge was beautiful, with the rapids running fast and the water crystal clear.

 

Having passed through the gorge, we stopped for some lunch at Nantmor, where the larch trees were just starting to sprout their new needles (they are the only evergreen trees to shed their needles in winter).

 

Then it was uphill through Cwm Bychan and into the mountains, where we practised some navigation in some quite tricky terrain. The cloud was high enough to see out to sea in the west.

 

At the summit, the group chose to continue, navigating by themselves, while I dropped down to the valley to pick up the bus. It's always exciting for the group (and possibly more so for me!), to do a section of hike 'unaccompanied' and thankfully, they made it to the RV point at Llyn Dinas without (too much) drama - well not that they told me about anyway!

 

Quick Drying Slate Climbing

Well in case you were wondering, yes, we made it out of the Yorkshire Dales eventually. The water had dropped to a reasonable level at about 5pm and we made our escape shortly after. Amazing to think that it was up to the top two bars of the gate during the morning!

 

We eventually arrived back at The Cottage just after 22:00 and woke this morning to more heavy rain here in Wales. It was the perfect excuse for a late start and a pancake brunch. Then, after some unbelievably heavy showers, the sun came out for for a few hours. There were gales and snow on the way, so we decided to dash out into the slate quarry and go for a climb, before it arrived.

 

We climbed two routes in the 'Serengeti area' as the slate dries so quickly. It was a brief window of opportunity but it closed again while Clare was still climbing! A rapid finish and a quick pack up were needed.

 

The next wave of rain, wind and hail had arrived! It was time to retreat...

 

We got a bit damp on the fifteen-minute walk back to the car, but we were too pleased with having snatched the routes from an otherwise wet and wild day to care. It wasn't long before we were by the fireside, drying out with a hot drink.

Llanberis Slate:
- Seamstress, VS (4c)**
- Macsen, 6a (more like 5)

Yorkshire Dales Waterfall Spotting

 

It's been a wet weekend in Yorkshire. Our planned hillwalking weekend got off to an exciting start when we arrived in the Dales to find that the road up to our barn bunkhouse was under water. The owner very kindly ferried us up in his 4x4 via an alternative wild track over the moors in the dark. It was three at a time in the jeep while the others sheltered in the pub in Chapel-le-dale.

 

I went up with the first students and was delighted to find a very comfortable bunkhouse! Our home for the weekend. Put a brew on and relaxed while we waited for everyone to arrive.

 

Rain and winds put the group off the idea of bagging some classic Yorkshire peaks, so we turned our attention to the vallies, rivers and waterfalls - of which there are many! Started at Catterick Force, Stainforth Foss and a few others before going for a 'Yorkshire Tea' at Malham Cove. Janet Foss was next...

 

Then a hike up into Goredale, where springs and rivers were literally appearing out of the ground.

 

At least the rivers were putting on a good show.

 

This morning when we went to leave, we discovered that overnight heavy rain had blocked the road again! We were stuck!

 

On closer inspection, it was clear that it was totally impassable. Almost waist deep.

 

Yesterday there wasn't even a river here!

We returned back to base and spent the morning playing games in the bunkhouse, while the rain poured on down.

Aled and I later went to check the 4x4 track that we had arrived on, with the hope that we could perhaps drive the mini-bus out that way? It was a rough track, but we were thinking that we might risk it - until we came across another big ford! That wasn't there the other night!

 

 

We hiked nearly 9km checking out all the ways off the hill, but were forced to conclude that we ought sit it out and wait for the waters to subside. We were both well soaked and had been through water higher than our boots, but at least my Rab waterproofs did their job!

 

A last check on the main road, showed that the waters were now even higher! Back to the pad for more tea and food... but how long will supplies last?! We should have left a 10am... it's now 16:37... could be a long night?!..