Last Light Reflections

By the time I got home, the drizzly rain of the day had passed and wind dropped. Fresh clouds were being seed up high and all felt calm.

I was joined by Ed for a late dinner at The Cottage, then after sorting a few more bits and bobs, decided that conditions might be just right for a swim before last light. I wasn't dissapointed!

The colours and reflections were superb.

You could even view it upside down!

A heron and a family of Greebs, where there when I arrived and the moon was reflecting in the water.

Absolute magic and no hesitation at all for diving in head first!

A stunning, calm and invigorating way to end a very busy day!

Cooling Down

There's been a shift in temperature over the last few days and you can't just head out without a fleece into the day anymore! 

After a fabulous night at the 'Outdoor Education Awards Ceremony', we were up early, out of bed and down at the river for a freshen up after the late night. The day before had seen some heavy showers and this had significantly cooled down the river temperature! I shivered all the way home!

There was time for a last minute kit check for us both as we went our separate ways. I dropped Clare at the station in Business Class travel mode, as she began the long journey to the far away skyscrapers and boardrooms of Mumbai in India, before getting myself ready for a big day of work in the mountains.

I had an alarm go off at 03:25 on Tuesday for an early ascent of Tryfan. Typically after weeks and weeks of beautiful sunrises, we were treated to a damp and drizzly start.

Still, the group and I were in good spirits and on top of the mountain by 06:30 and revelling in our achievements. The conditions felt wintery! Down jackets and hats were required!! Even gloves! Such a contrast to recent weeks of shirtless activity! A good reminder to be prepared where venturing into the mountains!

Unfortunately, the downhill section was a slow affair and it took us a while to reach the road, after our fast start. The next mountain of the day was Cader, in Mid-Wales, so I handed over to other staff to do that section and returned to The Cottage for a nap! The weather there was terrible, with strong winds and rain, so on arrival back at Snowdon later that evening, we decided to put an end to the challenge event. Disappointing, but the right decision! On the plus side, I was able to get a good nights sleep!

On and in the Water

A very 'watery' day today! Although I didn't get in the sea, it was looking particularly nice as we drove along the cast road to the lake. 

In a slight change to my usual activities, I was assisting at a sailing event. While I've not much to offer in the way of sail race tactics, I was drafted in last minute to help drive the powerboat, but was mostly tasked with helping the launching and landing of the boats. I was given the glamerous radio call sign of 'Beach Master'  - which seemed better than the first suggestion of 'Trolly Dolly'! 

The wind came and went in gusts which made for quite tricky sail conditions, but the weather stayed nice and warm.

Back at The Cottage, the evening skies began to indicate a change in the weather.

As it was still 24 degrees, we went up the valley for a swim in the river.

The ripples and refection's on the water were lovely and the wind, warm like a hairdrier.

I took my snorkel and mask again and we both swam up against the flow for further than we ever have, amazed that we were not getting too cold.

The sun even blasted though before dipping below the mountain.

As it was now gone 8pm, we decided we ought to head home for some dinner!

While eating outside in the garden, the skies continued to change...

Swims, SUPs and Snorkels

There's been a water based theme of activities over the last few days as we tried to make us of the spell of warm weather. I took a group of students out onto the lake for the day in idyllic conditions. Not a breath of wind and lovely temperatures (even when it poured with rain at one point!). A low stress day of teaching!

In the evening, Tim and I met Clare and Bex for a much quieter location for a swim in the last of the evening sun. The long evening meant I lost track of time and we missed last orders for food at the bar, so returned home for a rapid cook up!

The rain had set in yesterday, but as it was still warm, Clare and I went exploring the river with snorkels. I found a 5 pence piece and saw lots of fish! Manged to stay in quite long - but then needed a warm bath to heat back up afterwards!

Direct Route, Milestone Buttress. Tryfan.

The longest day of the year started before the sun was in one valley and finished as it vanished from another. I enjoyed a peaceful swim in the lake in Llanberis as I waited for the team to complete their expedition. Then when they arrived, I got back in for a celebratory dip with them too! It was a super finish, with ice creams, speeches and an efficient kit sort out before returning them to school. In the evening, I was joined by Ed and Tim at The Cottage, for cold drinks in the garden, just minutes after arriving home, then cooked up some dinner with them to follow. I could easily have gone to bed after this, but the draw of the Solstice took us back out to the valley for a ‘quick’ climb on Tryfan in the evening sun.

The rock was glowing in the evening light when we arrived, at nearly 9pm, but the setting sun sent shadows chasing up, which caught me at the first belay. 



It was still plenty warm enough even when the shade arrived, as we zipped upwards fast and efficiently.





We climbed the two main pitches of Direct Route, the well polished and rather tricky at times, V.Diff Classic climb. To save both energy and time, we descended by abseil in one huge rope length back to the bags. The long hours of daylight had us surprised to find it was 10pm when we got back to the van! 

A very long day, but a good one…

Expedition Training

There’s a lot to learn when training or preparing for an in accompanied and self sufficient expedition. Over the course of the last four days, I have been working with two 6th form groups as they prepare for a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition. From map reading, to shopping, and cleaning, to cooking there’s been plenty of education going on. Over the years I’ve witnessed all kinds of culinary delights, discoveries and disasters, but this was my first time seeing pasta actually on fire. It might not have tasted good, but the entertainment value was superb!

Due to a storm warning, we delayed our departure until Sunday evening, and dropped the group at a soggy mountainside just before dark, where we all camped in the mist. 

Tents went up fast and with rain still falling everyone was inside pretty quick. However, don’t tell anyone, but John and I had the luxury of his camper nearby! What a treat!



It was a completely different scene when I hiked up to meet the group in the morning!



At the camp, some students had found out what happens if you pitch your tent on a slope! 



It took a while to get fed, watered and the camp all packed away, but the threat of rain had certainly passed. 



After a 06:30 alarm call, the team set off just after 9am. 



I retreated to a cafe for some less exciting admin, while the group hiked east in glorious conditions.



The weather lasted all day and led to a beautiful evening.



The group were camping wild on the mountain tops, so another early start was required to check that they had ‘left no trace’.



Tuesday was more overcast, but still warm…

In the afternoon, I was able to use John’s luxury mobile ‘checkpoint’ facility! 



It was a sociable checkpoint - a friend flew in on a paraglided and two other friends stopped by for a climb as well. Eventually, the groups turned up as well!



It was a late check in to the campsite at Nant Peris, but a quick meal in the pub left time for a quick boulder in the Llanberis Pass. 







Final camp night the home tomorrow night!