Winter Skills

Fantastic weather here in Snowdonia over the weekend, we had clear blue skies and great snow conditions for the winter skills course.
Both days were spent in Cwm Lloer learning and practising new skills.
Sunday managed to bag a few summits on the Carneddau and the views over Snowdonia were just magic.
There seemed to be alot of people on the hill who must have though it was mid July , with very little equipment, there were no crampons or ice axes to be seen, even a pair of boots would would have been good for some walkers.
The mountains in the U.K. can be very dangerous places to be with the wrong equipment so make sure you have all the right skills & kit before heading out.
You don't want to be in the paper come monday morning !

Sorry about that just a little rant.
lets hope the winter conditions continue.
Were of to Norway in 10 days to enjoy some world class ice climbing.
Have fun.

Toubkal Jan 2010

After a short 3hr flight from the U.K. we touched down in Marrakesh to a perfect temperature of 19c, We then headed straight off for some lunch and then spent the afternoon wondering around the sights and souks of Marrakesh.
A short 2hr drive through stunning valleys we finaaly arrived at out guest house in Imlil.

After meeting our Moroccan guide Rashid the evening was spent getting our kit ready for the climb and a quick briefing before our early morning departure for the refuge.

The forecast for the next 3 days was possible snow on day one and two and and clear skies for our summit day.

The snow line was at 3000mt so things were looking good, our climb to the refuge at 3200mt would be quicker and easier.

As soon as our donkey's were loaded up with all our food and supplies for the next 3 days we slowly made our way to the refuge at 3200mt a climb of nearly 1400mt so a big day at altitude, it took us nearly 7hrs to reach the refuge stopping for tea along the way, thankfully the Moroccans like drinking tea just as much as the us so we were in good company.

Everyone was feeling pretty good with the altitude just a few mild headaches.

Once at the refuge it was tea time once again then we had just enough time to practise our winter skills and play around in the snow.

We awoke early the next morning to a total white out the wind was blowing at about 40kph which would mean we could only spend the day in the valley due to high avalanche risk.

All though we did manage two short walks up to 3400mt to help everyone acclimatise along with playing in the snow, plenty of tea and the odd game of cards.

By mid afternoon two of us headed out to check the conditions on the summit ascent route only to find the snow pack in very dangerous condition and a high risk of avalanche.

We would need a miracle for us to summit the following morning.

After another great evening meal and a birthday cake plus more tea and of course a game of cards we headed for bed praying for the conditions to change.

We woke early to check the weather only to find a foot of snow on the door of the refuge and the wind still blowing strong so we decided for the leisurely breakfast as we couldn't make a summit attempt in such adverse weather conditions.

After breakfast we started to make our way back down to Imlil along with everyone else staying in the refuge. Its was hard going trying to break a trail in over a foot of snow and of course the strong winds.

Finally after 1hr on the trail the weather finally broke and we were rewarded with breath taking views of the High Atlas and only our foot marks in the snow, it was like a winter wonderland and the snow was as low down as 1500mts which was not to common in Morocco.

Once back in Imlil we had time to chillout wounder around the village before dinner and a few celebration drinks.

Another early start back to the airport but to finish off our adventure we found ourselves stuck on the road due to a landslide so it was all has on deck or rocks in this case as we cleared the road and finally to the airport.

Despite not making it to the summit due the weather we had a great trip with alot of laughs and the trail back down after all the snow fall just made up it.

Snowdonia

We have some great winter conditions at the momment in Snowdonia.

So we've been out making the most it.

We got some great winter routes done on the Glyders and Cwm Idwal.

The snow is still a little soft in the gullies but fingers crossed we get a hard frost tonight and it's back out tommorrow for more fun and games.

Some of the team who are coming on our Toubkal Winter Climb in January are out on the hill tomorrow getting some training in.

Were off to Scotland over Christmas and New Year, Our plan is to start off on the West Coast then were heading East then finishing on the Isle of Skye should be a blast.

Kilimanjro

What an amazing two trips we had on Kilimanjaro.
Our first trip was with Help for Hero's with 5 founded soldiers which had loads of press coverage, I even made it onto GMTV so I'm now famous.
The lads were amazing all 5 made it to the summit and we only had 2 members out of the whole team not summit due to altitude sickness.
We had some tough weather over the 7 day climb plenty of rain and snow but thankfully on summit night we had good weather for the climb but unfortunately the summit was pretty much a white out.

The lads were a great inspiration and real hero's never was anything to much of a problem for them and we had some great laughs along the way.
The was even a Guinness World record broken for the first ascent of Kilimanjaro on crouches.
I must say I think the descent on the buggy deserved a world record for the first Tanzanian Bob sledge Team. Check out the video for yourself.

After 24hrs in Moshi just enough time to recharge the batteries.

A new team of climbers arrived and we were off to the summit once again this time we were doing a 6 day climb so less time to acclimatise.

The new team of climbers were keen a mustard and kept up great spirits as once again we had rain, snow and thankfully the last 2 days we had sunshine just enough time dry out our kit before summit night.

Summit night is always a tough night no matter how times you climb Kili and the feeling of triumph is always there.

19 out of 21 summited which is great credit to the group who supported each other the whole way.

Once back down in Moshi we hit the bar then showers and then back to the bar for a great night out Moshi.

They were two incredible trips both fantastic groups and it was great to back out in Tanzania.

Can't wait for next year now.

Kili Time

Well it's that time of year again when we head of to Tanzania and heady height's of Kilimanjaro.

Were going to be assisting with the Help For Hero's Kilimanjaro Climb, the team of 18 climbers consist of wounded soldiers from Afghanistan and Iraq plus a film crew and journalist from the Sun newspaper.

So you can keep updated on the climb Via the Sun news paper or our facebook blog.

Once down from Kilimanjaro I will just enough time for a quick rest before heading straight back up the following day.

There a huge drought in East Africa at the moment so water is in short supply which is going to add the the already tough challenge of summiting Kilimanjaro.

Our next planned overseas trip in January will be Mt Toubkal in Morocco and place's are filling up quickly, last year we had some great winter conditions with plenty of snow on the mountain and clear skies.

Right then best go and back.

Snowdon Climb

Congratulations to everyone who completed the Snowdon climb on Saturday and raising some very much needed funds for the local scout hut which will now help towards some very much needed work.

We had perfect weather the sun was shinning and not a cloud in the sky.

The group chose to climb up Watkin Path which has the lowest starting point on any Snowdon climb then the route slowing climbs past the old copper mines and Gladstone Rock before finally climbing up the scree to the Summit and finally descending down the PYG track.

While everyone was enjoying Snowdonia I was enjoying the Lake District helping out on 24 Peaks challenge which involved climbing 24 Peaks over 2400ft in 24hrs.

It's a very tough challenge thankfully we had glorious weather and good visibility which helped us a great deal to complete the challenge.

We took 2 days to complete the challenge but completed it in under 24hrs walking.

There was some very tough climbs but we had fantastic views over the Lakes which made all hard work worth it.

It's now time to start concentrating on training for Kilimanjaro in October,

Wet & Windy

It's been a fun August with us doing the 3 Peaks 24hr challenge in a mix of conditions on the first challenge we had perfect weather with great views from all the summits the sun was even out to greet on Ben Nevis.

Then on the second challenge we had it really tough with strongwinds and driving rain which made it really tough going but everyone completed the challenge.

We also had a Snowdon weekend starting off with a Scramble up Tryfan

North Ridge which always great fun again the conditions were a little gusty to say the least.
The next day our route was the Snowdon HorseShoe but typical of this summer the weather conditions

were not on our side as it was a little like monsoon season and we were made to take another route.

It must have been one of the wettest day i've ever had on Snowdon, we were

like drowned rats when we finllay reached the summit, thankfully the cafe was open for a hot brew before heading back down compltety soaked must adimit it was a tough old day.

We have another Snowdon training weekend this week and the conditions are looking good.

Then it's time to look forward to our winter program with Toubkal looking very busy this year, lets hope we have a good winter like last year.