15 Peaks

We have just completed our first Welsh 15 peaks of the season and we experienced every possible type of weather you could have in Snowdonia.

Friday on the Carrneddau was spent mainly in thick hill fog,it was a long hard day but we were rewarded with the odd clearing for our efforts.

Saturday we started on Tryfan the conditions started off pretty good then slowly got worse as the day went on, once on the Glyders we had 60mph + winds hail which really hurt and poor visibility, but our spirits were not being damped even if our kit was.

Next up was Y Garn and by now the fog had cleared and we had the feeling of success in our hearts, but it wasn't to be the wind got even stronger so we had to desend into the Llanberberis pass and head for Pete's eats for a huge mug of tea and chocolate cake Yum Yum.

Sunday we headed up the Watkin Path as the forecast wasn't on our side for doing Crib Coch.

Again we started in light rain which became heavy rain and then finally snow, Yea in May !

Once on the Summit of Snowdon the cloud lifted and we had it all to ourselves. Happy Days.

We then descended down the south ridge and more tea and cake was eaten.

The following weekend we had glorious sunshine for our Snowdon Weekend.

Starting of at the base of Tryfan we climbed the North Ridge, reaching Tryfan summit is always a great sense of achievement, we then traveresed the Glyders all in perfect sunshine.

Sunday we took the South Ridge up Snowdon and returned down the Miners track all feeling pretty worn out and sunburnt.

China

We have just completed an 8 day trek on the Great Wall.
The weather has been every thing from sunshine and 26 to freezing cold with heavy rain.
The food has been great apart from a few dodgy meals, I'm now becoming hooked on dumplings.
Everyone completed the trek and were now in Beijing and heading out tonight to check out the Beijing night life.

The next group arrive in tomorrow then I'm off again to trek the Wall this time a slightly different route which take us to the more remote parts staying in some small farming communities.
Should be great fun if the weather is kind.

Snowdon Weekend

We have just completed our first Snowdon Weekend of 2009 and thankfully the weather was pretty kind.

Saturday on the Glyders was a little windy and the visibility was poor at times but we made it up Glyder Fawr in time for lunch (tea & welsh cakes), then it was onto Glyder Fach and the Cantilever stone before dropping down to Llyn Bochlwyd and finally back to base for more tea and cakes.

It was then time for a few well earnt beers in the evening after dinner.

Sunday the weather was much kinder and we had perfect conditions for our ascent of Snowdon, the last 100mts to the summit proved to be a bit of a challenge with there still being snow and ice on the path but we made finally to the summit for lunch.

After a good lunch we slowly made our way back down to Pen Y Pass Via the Miners Track enjoying the sunshine and views on route.

Jebel Toubkal

We have just completed our first winter ascent of jebel Toubkal 4187mts the highest mountain in North Africa. With record levels of snow fall on the High Atlas this year we had perfect winter conditions.

Starting from the small berber village of Imlil passing through walnut and cherry orchids, we soon hit the snow line at 1900mts. After 6hrs trekking up the stunning valley we finally made it to our base camp in Neltner at 3207mts.

An early start the following morning saw us start our final ascent of Toubkal, there had been heavy snow over night and it was knee deep at times so the going was pretty tuff, but everyone made good time and finally summited after 4hrs and were rewarded with breath taking views over the High Atlas.

We then descended back down to base camp for a much needed lunched and finally back down to Imlil exhausted but very happy.

We then spent the next day in Marrakesh before heading home.

Sahara

Congratulations to everyone who completed the 100km Sahara Trek.

With out trusty ships of the desert loaded up we set off into Sahara.

Day one was a nice easy short day just to get us into the swing of things, we arrived into camp nice and early set up camp and enjoyed our first of many nights under the stars.

The weather soon changed with heavy snow falling in the High Atlas which brings strong winds to the Sahara we were lucky or unlucky enough to experience a full blown sand storm one night which gave the camp a right old beating with tents being blown down.

The wind stopped the day we climbed Chagaga a 300ft sand dune the views from the summit were truly amazing.

Our last couple of days were spent crossing a huge salt flats were me managed to cover some big distances.

After 7 days of sand and stars we were finally back at our hotel for a much needed shower and cold beer.

Snowdonia

What a week it has been. It's been fantastic having such great winter conditions in Snowdonia. This blog is going to be a bit short I just thought I would put a few photo's up, i'm guessing they won't do any justice to how stunning it's been in Snowdonia.

Weve done a few ice routes in Cwm Idwal and the LLanberis Pass and some great winter gullies, We camped out to be reward with a stunning full moon and clear skies, its been an action packed week.

Fingers crossed for more good winter weather.
P.s. Check out the Ice climber on the bottom picture.

Welsh ice climbing

Who ever said winters are dull.

This recent cold weather is giving us some fantastic winter conditions in Snowdonia, with ice climbing routes now coming into good condition it was time for me to do my first Welsh ice route we head for Twll Du (Devils Kitchen).

Once in Cwm Idwal we chose our route had a quick brew then began our climb, i was so excited to be finally ice climbing in Snowdonia.

The route started off fairly easy so we just picked our way up, after 200mts we roped up as the next section was a grade 2 this section of the climb was awsome with my calves burning and heart pumping and the back drop into the Cwm was incredible.

After 3 pitches we put the rope away as we entered a gully then picked our way up finally topping out 3hrs later had a quick brew then i t was time to navigate our way down as the visability was down about 20mts.

All in all it was a fantastic winter day