Rain in Wales, wet in England, same in Scotland

This weekend was another 3 peaks challenge with 21 employees from Travis Perkins. Out of the whole group, only 6 completed the challenge which was a good result with all the rough weather the group got battered with. We started on Snowdon and finished on Ben Nevis and each hill threw rain and winds at us. We got no views from any of the peaks but everyone's spirits were high.

Quiet but windy day

Today Emma and I headed up the Zig Zags on Gearr Aonach in Glencoe. Its a great little route for some hands on walking away from the crowds. We carried onto the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan where we saw a couple of walkers on Bidean and also a team climbing Central Grooves (VS). There were very strong winds today which made the ridge leading to SCNL quite exciting.

Ben Classic

Last winter I climbed Minus 1 and 2 Gully in a day and I was really keen to climb the rock in the middle in the summer. So I headed up with Graham and climb the mighty Minus 1 Direct (E1 5b). Unfortunately we were beat to the base of the route but it was a very sociable day. The rock was dry and the situations were great. After topping out we went down North East Buttress and abseiled down Slingsby's Chimney.

Fry an egg on here

Today Kenny, Rich Bentley and I headed down to Etive Slabs and it was a total scorcher! On arrival we saw teams on Spartan Slab (VS). We Climbed The Pinch Direct (E3 5c). It cant have been climbed for some time so did need a bit of a clean but we did manage to find a way through. rich couldn't find a way through the upper pitch and time was running out so we traversed off to the top of Hammer for a speedy escape. A great route, it did take some getting used to though!

Quick climb at Shepards

Today after getting back from Canoeing and camping we decided to go for a climb. We were heading up to Scotland later so Emma and I opted for some quick routes at Shepard's Crag. We started off on Brown Slabs Arete (VD) and then put a top rope on a route to the right. We then went over to Jackdaw Ridge (D) and Emma did a few reps up the first pitch.

Scrambling in the Lakes on a Bank Holiday

Today Emma and I decided to avoid the Bank Holiday crowds and headed up the East Ridges of Nethermost Pike above Patterdale. It was never difficult and I feel it would be great under full winter conditions but it was worth it keeping away from the 'ant highway' on Striding Edge. From the summit we headed down to Grisedale Tarn and back to Patterdale. Later on we had a BBQ on the beach of Ullswater and then canoed down the lake and camped for the night.

Sky diving

Today I jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet. I had wanted to do this for a long time and I wasn't disappointed. After a quick breifing it was into the plane and strapped to my skydive instructor. At 10,000 the door flew open and we launched ourselfs into the sky. We freefell for quite a while before the parachute opened a 5,000ft and we glided back to the ground. Can't wait to do it again.

Short Walk

Today Emma and I had a Walk up Aonach Mor. We only had a couple of hours so we didn't go too far. Its such a great place for views over Fort William.

Back on the Ben

I'm currently up in Scotland so I had to spend at least one day on Ben Nevis. I met up with Graham and as it was a bit damp in the morning we decided to go Scrambling. Graham hadn't climbed Observatory Ridge so we headed up this. We had the whole ridge to ourselves and soloed the whole route. On the summit we had already decided we wouldn't go down the tourist route so we down climbed Tower Ridge, passing only one team. A great combination on the North Face.

Malham and Kilnsey

The last two day's Dave and I have been playing on some steep Yorkshire limestone. Yesterday we climbed at Malham Cove which most people know from their geography field trip! We were there for the climbing instead of the educational factor. Dave knows the crag very well which is handy as he forgot his guidebook, but we went on and climbed a 7a, 7a+, 7b and then another 7a+. By the end of this we were both pretty tired so we retired to the bar.

Day two we went to Kilnsey. A crag I have never been to but one Dave knows very well. We were still tired from the day before so we started on a 6c+, then 3 7a+'s led on to aching forearms! Lots of other climbers out today, they all seemed to be locals and all climbing around 8a-8c!

Not very photogenic

This afternoon Graham and I met up for a couple of routes before he headed home in Scotland. As we only had a short amount of time we went to a busy Shepard's Crag in Borrowdale. We avoided the crowd's on Little Chamonix by heading up to Climb The Black Icicle (E1 5b). Its an excellent route with a great second pitch, felt very exposed as it was very run out. We scrambled back down and Graham led up the first pitch of Monolith Crack (HVS 4c) and I took over and led up Porcupine (E3 6a), another great line. Unfortunately Graham had to shoot off but there is plenty more to do here.

Childhood playground

This evening Graham and I headed to Gouther Crags, near to where I grew up. Graham started off on The Fang (MVS 4a) which is such an ace line, I had done it before but was happy to do it again. After a walk down I led up Sostenuto (HVS 5a) which I think was even better than The Fang despite the large amount of bird poo we had to climb over. Getting up to this crag in the evenings is really worth it. Some really quality routes o do across the grades. Only the E3's to do now.

Fine finish to a wet day

Today as it was raining quite alot over the Lakes, Graham and I headed over to Kendal wall for a training session. After getting totally pumped the weather cleared so we packed up our gear and headed to Castle or of Triermain, Thirlmere. Graham wanted to lead Gazebo (HVS 5a) (a route he had seconded a while back). He ran it out in one pitch as I had led both pitches before. I then led up an 'E1', it felt a bit more E2 5c but it wasnt in our guidebook so I dont know which route it was...

Senior Moments

For the last 5 days I have been showing Gordon what Lake district climbing is all about! Lots of wet rock! He wanted to improve his climbing technique, get some more milage on rock and learn some more ropework skills. Day 1 was extreamly wet but we went out and climbed on Brown Slabs (D). We then went and climbed a very wet Little Chamonix (VD) before escaping to do some gear shopping at Needle Sports.

Day two and three we spent at Kendal Climbing wall. Working on technique, strength and improvised rescue techniques. On day 3 it finally stopped raining at 4pm so we shot off to Castle Rock at Thirlmere and climbed Via Media (S) and Zig Zag (VS 4b). It turned out there had been a major rock/turf fall at the top of pitch 3. The route could do with a clean now.

Day 4 we went down to Raven Crag in Langdale and climbed Evening wall (S) and then Bilberry Buttress (VS 4c) as it was fair weather and we didnt want to spend another day indoors.

Day 5 Gordon had a train to catch so we headed to Borrowdale again and headed up to Black Crag. We climbed the classic Troutdale Pinnacle (S) which is a must do route for every climber visiting Black Crag. We then shot over to Shepards as Gordon wanted to know what his limit was. I led up Kransic Crack Direct (HVS 5a), Gordon followed up but popping off a couple of times, he did get to the top though.

MIA Assesment

For the last 5 days I have been in North Wales staying at Plas y Brenin. I was undergoing my Mountaineering Instructor Assesment, which I passed :-) The first day was personal climbing, we went to Tremadog. Jason climbed One Step in the Clouds (VS 4c), I then led up Scratch Arete (HVS 5a). Second day was Improvised rescues again at Tremadog. I led up The Brothers Direct finish (E1 5b) whilst been given lots of scenarios which I had to solve. Mo led up Grim Wall (VS) and I was acting as casualty. Day 3 I took 2 clients out climbing at Clogwyn yr Oen, we did a VD. It was the worst weather of the week, constant rain! Day 4 was scrambling in the Ogwen Valley up and around Idwal Slabs. Day 5 was the navigation test which was done out the back of Plas y Brenin. An enjoyable week despite the horrible weather!

Windy day

Today I headed up to Buckston Pass with Zac for a few climbs. Neither of us had been here before and it turned out to hold some good routes. We started on Sinister Grooves (VS 4c) which was great and then we climbed Cleopatra (HVS 5a). Also an excellent route. One of the routes had also seen an winter ascent?! Nice short walk in! We then spent the rest of the day doing some short roping and checking out some of the old quarries, quite a good place to explore. I forgot my camera again but I think Zac will have some sweet photos up soon.

Great views

Today I met up with Ian who had driven up from Lancaster with a couple of mate's. The plan was to get Ian more familiar with multi-pitch climbing as he only climbs at single pitch crags. He also really want to climb Troutdale Pinnacle (S) so we did. Each pitch gave us a good opportunity to talk about belays, rope work skills and stance management. Ian built his own belays all the way up the route. After topping out we went and climbed Troutdale Pinnacle Super Direct (HVS 5a). I led him up all the pitches except the last where Ian took the rack and shot up building a textbook belay at the top. Remember Ian, practice those 'clover hitches!' ;-)

White Ghyll

Today I headed up to Langdales with Barry to check out White Ghyll, a crag I haven't visited. It was extremely windy up there with only one other team out on Haste Not, they took ages as the second couldn't commit to the traverse. We climbed the Gordion Knot (VS 4c). I led all pitches as Barry hasn't climbed trad for many years, in fact he's only been bouldering and climbing indoors. We then went and climbed Chimney Variant (E1 5b) which was a wicked little route, the second pitch is superb, with a super exposed traverse then a tough pull up a groove, quite sustained, Barry did very well.