Expedition Guide

For the final day of our advanced scrambling learn to lead course Cath, Frances and I headed back into Cwm Idwal. We warmed up on the Idwal Staircase and then Cath and Frances lead the Cneifion Arête under their own steam. A lovely few days, thanks very much both.

Normal service has been resumed with blue skies and sunshine here in Snowdonia. Cath and Francis lead Bastow Buttress today with me alongside. We then enjoyed the upper section of the North Ridge of Tryfan. Thanks very much both. Brilliant.

I have been out with Cath and Francis today who have joined us for a three day advanced scrambling learn to lead course. We headed up North West Face Route in Cwm Idwal putting the foundations of roped scrambling in place. Meanwhile Tarquin took the Mountaincraft team on the Crib Lem Spur.

It was pretty busy on the North Ridge of Tryfan today but hardly surprising given the weather and what a classic route it is. We spent the day looking at scrambling skills and enjoying the views, the sunshine and the movement. Ace.

Today started a little cloudy and damp which gave us the opportunity to put some navigation skills into practice. We walked into Cwm Idwal before heading up Y Garn. We built on yesterday’s navigation skills and enjoyed some off the path navigation as the day progressed, throwing in some emergency procedures for good measure.

We have had a beautiful day in Snowdonia today. I’ve been out with Anne, Kate, Kim, Mark, Stephen and Chris for the first day of our 6 day Mountaincraft Course. We headed to Moel Wnion and Drosgyl to avoid the crowds and had the hills almost to ourselves. We’ve spent the day looking at foundation [...]

Many of you will know my dog, Skye. Yesterday she passed away. I'm pretty upset. I'm writing this for two main reasons. The first is a practical one. It is a way of letting people know that my dog has passed away. The second is purely self indulgent - a tribute to my dog that [...]

For the final day of our Glencoe scrambling week Rachel, Marion and I headed up Sron na Larig having parked in Glen Etive. We then went over Sgreamach to descend via the beautiful Lost Valley to give a lovely end to a great week. Thanks very much to Rachel, Marion, Martin, Ronnie, Laurie and Alastair [...]

We headed up Pinnacle Ridge on Garbh Bheinn today. It was a route that Martin had requested, Al Halewood recommended and only Rachel had done before and it turned out to be brilliant. Garbh Bheinn is a wonderfully wild mountain with some impressive rock architecture and our route gave about 500m of scrambling, upto grade [...]

It’s been another stunning day in the Scottish Highlands. Today we headed up Curved Ridge and the top of Crowberry Ridge. Just wonderful.