Above the Clouds on Cader Idris

Although it's hard to get up at 03:15am, on days like today it's really worth it. I spent the night sleeping in the back of the van, so that I could be up and ready to greet my bleary eyed students before setting off to Cader Idris. We were well on our way up the mountain when the sun burst over the horizon in spectacular fashion. We all stopped, stared and had a little 'moment'.

As soon as the sun was on us, the temperature flew up to about twenty degrees. The shady sections were blissfully cool though.

As the day woke up, they valleys all filled with clouds that were flooding in from the coast.

We were on the summit by 7am and could have stayed there all day, had we not got other peaks to climb. Before we left, we sat in silence for two minutes. Apart for a couple of flies that buzzed past, we could hear nothing - there wasn't even a breath of wind. Stunning.

Ideally, we'd have descended to the lake for a swim, but the day was still young and there was a plan for climbing Tryfan and Snowdon still, so we retuned down the Pony Path and into the clouds to where the minibus waited.

In the Ogwen Valley, I swapped with Aled, who took the team up Tryfan, while I went for sleep after cooling off in the river, which was blissful after a long and sweaty eight hours of driving and hiking.

Later that night, after Aled had passed the leaders baton to John, who had successfully guided the team up to the summit of Snowdon, we were reunited at the Lake in Llanberis. The group dived straight into the water before celebrating an incredible day with a toast and a big feed. A record thirteen hours from setting out on Cader, to arrived at the Lake in Llanberis, with three big peaks climbed. Impressive stuff.

Underwater Explorations

Not much in the way of photos from the last few days, but there's been plenty of activity. Sunday was spent up above Colwyn Bay, rock climbing with some students. The views were superb and we could clearly see the Isle of Man on the horizon, behind the wind farms. 

Monday was mostly spent planning and organising various options for our summer expedition season as well as catching up on a whole bunch of admin. But we still managed to time things right for an afternoon of light winds, calm seas and a high tide to dust off the snorkels and go exploring undersea.

This time, with wetsuits on, so we'd last longer (and float better!), we drifted around the bay for just over an hour. There were loads of crabs, a few fish (one of which was really big) all colours of seaweed swaying gently in the tide. We dodged a few jelly fish too and some electric coloured sea goosberries. It was all very tranquil and crystal clear. Nice to have had the conditions and times all align.

Climbs at Castle Inn Quarry:

- Madam Butterfly, F4+

- One Fine Day, F4

- The Comeback Kid, F4

Swimming and Scooting

My Gold DofE Expedition group made it to the finishing check point at the North Coast. I'd got there early hoping to have a swim on the high tide, but it didn't look so appealing!

The weather picked up considerably by the evening, so once all was cleaned, sorted and packed away, I went with Clare down to the lake to try and swim again...

Conditions were much more favourable! I stayed in for about fifteen minutes - defiantly a record for me! The view from this spot is just so good, I didn't want to get out.

To warm up, we went for a ride along the cycle track on scooters! Beautiful evening..

In and out of the clouds

I've been out in the mountains for the last few days with a couple of groups who are doing a Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition. It's not quite the usual format, but it was great that they were able to get out into the hills and enjoy the journey. Conditions were wide ranging and I left them at this point, feeling confident that they'd be able to turn up at the right place on the other side of the mountain, where I was due to meet them next. Some might call it poor conditions, but in this instance, it was perfect navigation training weather! 

Saw lots of carnivorous Sundew out.

Having left the group in the mist, I descended to the valley, where the sun came out! I took the opportunity to cool off with a quick dip before re-joining the team. What a bonus.

Camp cooking went well, despite a small Spork incident. Another one bites the dust...

The second way was gopping. Heavy rain and temperatures almost into single figures. The wind chill was around zero degrees. A far cry from yesterdays lake swimming conditions.

In the end, I suggested that the group use the 'emergency' escape route and they descended to the slightly more sheltered, but just as wet valley, rather than stay up on the planned high level route. Everyone was soaked to the pants. I'm sure the Duke would have been delighted....

Climb, Swim, Climb

We packed in the maximum amount of fun into today at a variety of venues. Eventually, we started out in the Gywnant Valley after a little parking faff. We had expected to pay to park at the campsite, but refused to pay the extortionate fees and parked for free in the layby by the lake instead, opting to take a slightly longer walk to the crag rather than pay £5 to park and then £5 for every person in the car!! Seriously!!!???  

I spent most of the day in shock from this, but recovered enough to revel in the steep delights of the climbing. It was vertical to overhanging in a wild position, but the handholds were huge and kept appearing every time I needed one!

We retreated to the lake after climbing, for a swim and a snooze.

Hot drinks were also freshly provided to shivering swimmers.

We got back home at 5pm, in time to meet Matt who was on a flying visit to Wales. A short while later and he was balancing his way up some slabby slates at Bus Stop Quarry.

Feeling on good form, he went on to lead the harder (bolder) route to the left called Masambula, which was a first ascent for me, so nice to be able to climb a new section of rock at an area I've visited hundreds of times. The route is wild. In the photo below, he has just reached the first meaningful bit of protection at over 10m above the ground. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief once the rope was clipped in! Gripping stuff!

We could then make the moves, with the luxury (safety) of a rope above us! What an incredible day. Home for dinner around 20:30 in glorious sunshine.

Gwynant Valley Climb:

- Oxine, VS (4c)*** - Best VS in the area! Incredible!!

Bus Stop Quarry, Llanberis:

- Gnat Attack, E1 (5c)**

- Masambula, E2 (5b)**

Aber Meani Point

Had a few things to do near Capel in the morning, so took a quick dip in Llyn Mymbr to start the day off. It was a bit overcast, but warm enough still. It was refreshing as ever, although the lake was a bit shallow and muddy bottomed so not so nice to get in and out of.

Later on, we found ourselves on Anglesey, hiking out towards Aber Menai Point.

The weather was much better there and the views excellent, even at low tide.

We crossed the flat grass lands and eventually cross the dunes to get a view of the sea.

It felt quite a wild and remote area - which explains how we managed to clock up nearly 10km of walking after setting out for a quick stroll!

We arrived back at the van pretty exhausted and a little de-hydrated! Got the brews straight on and were glad that we had a tin of biscuits in the back.

Further up the coast, we checked the beach as there was a little bit of swell forecast. There wasn't enough to bother getting the surf boards out for, but it was nice to sit, look and listen for a while. It was long longest day today, so the sun stayed high even though it was past 8pm. In the end, we decided to head home for some food and rest.

Long Light Evenings

Thankfully, after a long hot day of logistics, co-ordinating several hiking groups and planning many many more days of Outdoor Education over the next twelve months, I was able to escape the screens and dive headfirst in to the cooling waters of the lake. Even though it was late, the evening sun was reflecting off Snowdon and the water was cool and calm. Stayed in for over ten minutes. Surely a record? Felt great.

 

On the Anglesey Coastal Path

Today was the final day of a three day 'expedition' that I've been helping to lead. Having spent all day yesterday in the mountains, the group opted for being by the coast today, which matched up nicely with the weather and tides. We began the hike by being dropped off, so that we could visit the tiny church on the Island as the tide was far out.

A southerly journey then took place, along the rocky shore, taking in the sights and sounds along the way. One of the students really knew his birds and pointed out the Sandmartin's nests along with plenty of other sea birds.

The views over to the distant Lleyn Peninsula were superb.

On reaching the estuary, we were presented with the challenge of the river crossing.

The state of the tide meant that we could just make it across without too much drama, although we did carry dry bags to put our kit into.

On the wide sandy beach, we decided to stop and go for a swim. The wind was chilling us (me!) down, but everyone seemed to be hardly noticing it!

Dried off, we walked barefoot along the side of the dunes, on wonderfully warm sand, up to the road, where our minibus had been left. A fantastic hike.

This was followed by a super sociable evening as we bumped into some friends on the way to the lake, so swam together, completing Clare's seven consecutive day challenge to have a bikini swim! Dried off and shivering we drove up the hill to Nick's where a BBQ was already lit and hot brews soon provided. A grand evening of chat by the fireside with good company ensued...