Summit Sundown Solitude

As it was one of the last evenings in Wales before setting off on this summers expeditions, I took myself off up our local peak to appreciate the local area and last light of the day. I also have to give some speeches this week about Outdoor Education, so it was a perfect way to think through some ideas in solitude. A real stunner of an evening after a very hectic day!

Cottage Sunset

A fine day spent marshalling for a student version of the Ironman Triathlon event...

But followed by a beautiful sundown at The Cottage. The mountains all glowed orange as I walked along the track down to Dave's house.

Tough up Tryfan

Nice to be back at The Cottage and to be enjoying the views.

Sadly, the weather wasn't to last long enough for todays challenge of climbing Tryfan, Cader and Snowdon with some of my students. A 3am start was required to get ourselves up Tryfan in the early morning light before the worst of the weather arrived.

The photos don't really show the conditions or windspeed, but I got blown off balance here!

We made it up the final ridge gripping on with hands and feet!

Scampering down the west face at a good pace, we were back at the A5 just after 7:30am. Aled and Kelly pick up the team and set off down to mid-wales, while I returned to The Cottage for some sleep!

Sadly, by the time John and I arrived at Pen y Pass later that afternoon, the winds were now accompanied by driving rain and we had to make the decision to call the venture to a halt. Tired, damp and sweaty, we celebrated our achievements with a burger and a drink, before all crashing out.

Surfboard Swimming

After such a scorching expedition, the weather had to break at some point. Thankfully all the tents and students were safely back when it did. We had about 40mm of rain in a day! 

Amazingly, out of the mountains and over on the island, the fine weather still remained, so we took a punt on catching some surf for the evening.

It was warm in the water, but without powerful enough waves. We still got in an had a wonderful hour paddling around the bay, watching birds and delighting in the feeling of being afloat.

Oh, and all this was after a rapid overnight visit to Fort Martin...

Where Dudley gave me some lessons on 'real camping' from back in the day!

 

Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award Training Expedition

I've been involved with a fabulous for days of expedition life as I helped some students to complete a Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition. The weather has been unreal. Far too hot for carrying a big backpack around the mountains really, but much better than rain. It all started back in Llandudno on Sunday morning, packing, prepping, shopping and generally getting organised.

The group left mid afternoon, so I had a little bit of time before meeting them again just before sunset at the first wild camp. Amazing views like this from camp.

It was already well in the twenties by 6am, so I was forced out the tent much earlier than I'd have liked!

An 'x' in the sky marked the spot!

On Monday, we did some navigation training before I left the group to continue solo....

I enjoyed seeing this sign at one of the checkpoints!

Due to the heat, John and I transported about 30litres of water up the mountainside to the second wild camp. Hot and sweaty work! The group, having cooked earlier so that they could walk up the last hill in the shade arrived as the sun hit the horizon - a big day!

I was exhausted by the time I got to get into my tent and was all too soon woken by the sun again. Being the longest day of the year (literally!), it barely got dark and there was a glow on the horizon all night.

I was back up to the mountain top by 9am, but there was no sign of the agreed departure! 

Eventually, everyone was on the move again and John and I leapfrogged our way between checkpoints again.

The final camp was reached before dark this time and had the luxury of toilets and a shower. But also lots of midges. Luckily for John and I, our friend lives next to the campsite and we got invited inside for dinner while the students battled on with the camp stoves!

After a celebratory swim in the lake, we took a minibus ride back to the Cabin, there I was greeted by a wall of heat as I opened the front door. 34 degrees on the thermometer! 

With the kit all packed away and students de-briefed, I left Wales and made it to Fort Martin in the van just in time for last light, dinner and a welcome cold drink!

Party People!

Good 'Stonecrop' scenes around The Cottage at the moment... 

And a whole lot of expedition planning and preparations going on as time seems to be racing on towards departure time!

Also had a superb Saturday partying with some of the best of friends to celebrate Sam's 40th birthday.

It was an all-star cast with visitors from Devon, Cornwall, the Lakes and plenty of other places in between. Keepie-uppies, slack line, a dip in the lake, then a solid night of dancing! Utterly brillinat scenes all day (and night!).