Around Ogwen

Stayed local after the recent travels! A nice chilled day around the Ogwen Valley, with a quick trip to the climbing shop in Capel to pick up a few bits and bobs, between strolling in the fine weather.

After a few jobs at The Cottage, I went back out for a tranquil solo around on Tryfan Bach, while the weather was still nice - a sudden change was forecast in the night...

Tryfan Bach Climbs:

- Crack1, Diff*

- Chimney Crack, Mod*

- Crack 4, Diff*

- Stepped Crack, Diff*

Coastal Hiking from Howth, Ireland

Wow! What a crazy seventeen hour adventure that was! A day trip to Dublin, a coastal hike and a catch up with some lovely people! I had intended to use the travel time to catch up on some work, but after racing out of Holyhead mid-morning, I went inside the ferry and promptly fell asleep - I woke up as people were disembarking!

Old friends Daragh and Katrina were waiting at the Port for me and we headed off together to Howth, just north of Dublin, with a tick list of things to see and do. They were both visiting from Canada, so we were all tourists for the day.

The town of Howth was looking it's best, with colourful boats in the harbour, where we started our nattering's over a big box of fish and chips on the village green.

Fed and ready, we loaded up Moira and hit the coastal path.

The haze was so strong that we could only just see the nearby 'Ireland's Eye' Island.

We were all surprised at the beautiful wild coastline, considering the proximity to Dublin Port!

Most of us enjoyed the views... Others just chilled....

We made a circular walk, so that we could take in the high point of the area for maximum view, then returned to the harbour, where we took stock of our journey and re-hydrated!

All too soon, but not after a delightful pint of Guinness in the warmth of the evening sun, overlooking the sea, we made our way back to the port.

It was a whirlwind of a day and a long way to travel for a pint of Guinness, but much closer than travelling to Canada to catch up! I was one of four foot passengers on the ferry on the way home. 

I literally had the pick of about 600 seats to choose from! I lay down on a sofa and slept most of the way home too, arriving back at The Cottage at 01:30am... Worth it. Brilliant day with brilliant people.

Tryfan - Scrambling on the S.W Face

A magnificent day to be scrambling around the mountains of North Wales. 18 degrees in the valley and only a few clouds putting in an appearance. Magic. 

From Ogwen Cottage, we went up to Bochlwyd, then picked our own way upwards over the best looking bits of rock, pretty much directly towards the summit, for an obligatory jump between Adam and Eve.

Had a nice picnic on the flat rocks below the south summit, where we kicked back and enjoyed the views.

One member of my group was a photography student and tried to help me take more 'interesting' compositions. I think I still have some learning to do, but it was fun experimenting with reflections in the lake!.

After returning the group, I went straight over to Llanberis to celebrate with Em, who has just returned from Scotland having passed her MIC (now called WMCI) winter test. There was a garden full of friends who had returned from wintering away in Scotland and various places including Antarctica!. With the clocks changed, fine weather and an outdoor social even, it all felt like a real treat! All very social!

Sunset Special from the Summit

Had a really great day hosting a climbing competition in the Jerry Moffatt Bouldering Wall today! Great to see everyone giving it beans and cheering each other on. I was exhausted as anyone by the time it was over and I barely left the ground! 

Made it back west in time to enjoy the sunset with Clare from the summit of our local peak, just up the hill from The Cottage.

Not a cloud in the sky again!...

It was a fine place to de-brief the day, catch up on each others news and just sit and think of others who are no longer around.

Porth y Garan, Anglesey

The perfect weather conditions contiuned again today, so it was too good a day to pass up a trip to the coastal cliffs of Anglesey. Flat calm seas and great rock were just what we needed for some climbing training for a team that I will be taking on a climbing expedition to Cornwall in a few months time. Hopefully we'll get the same weather then!

Hard to imagine that this is very close to the bay where Clare and I got married in a week's time nine years ago - in sub-zero temperatures! It was 18 degrees today!

We found some good rock anchors to abseil from!

These are Anglesey's Oldest rocks...

As the sun went down, John and I set to work in the climbing wall preparing routes for a competition that is being held there tomorrow... A late night ensued!...

Climbing on Tryfan Bach

A top quality sunrise greeted us back at The Cottage and set the scene for a fine day of rock climbing with a fine group of students. 

After a few changes of plans, we reverted back to the original plan of climbing in the Ogwen Valley!

We did three routes - with the first two in t-shirts! A light breeze picked up later, but what a lovely day to be in the mountains...

Tryfan Bach Climbs:

- Crack 1, Diff*

- Crack 2, Diff*

- Scramble Mod

Fort Martin in Bloom

Made it to The Fort last night in time for dinner and some good laughs. Took a 'tour of the estate' in the morning to see how Spring is springing along and soak up the sunshine on the terrace, where temperatures were twenty degrees! Even a few fresh lambs in the Glebe Field too. Back on the road after lunch and home at dusk...