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.

July

July has been and gone we've been making the most of the summer day light hours even if the sun has been in hiding.

We helped out on a Snowdon training weekend early in July, everyone at the weekend was in training for there charity challenges.

We climbed the Glyders on Saturday and then Snowdon on Sunday, we had some rough weather on Saturday but we were rewarded with some sunshine and great views from Snowdon Summit.
Everyone swapped a few fund raising idea's and few extra tips for there big challenge ahead.

It was also great to meet some of the team who i will be climbing Kilimanjaro with for Help For Hero's in October.

Also in July we had another 15 Peaks Challenge, once again the first day was spent in very poor visibility and much of the day was spent navigating our way over the Carneddau in thick mist.

Day 2 started off on the challenging north ridge of Tryfan and everyone was buzzing when we finally made it to the Summit, it was then onto the Glyders and the Canterliever Rock, some members then decided to call it day while the others raced on up Y Garn and Elidir Fawr to finish what was a very long day.
Day 3 we had perfect weather for the Snowdon Horseshoe, starting off nice and early we made our way over Crib Coch which is always a bit of a challenge then the weather closed in for a short while and we finally made to Snowdon Summit our final 15 Peaks Summit for late lunch.
Everyone was still feeling strong so we decided to complete the Snowdon Horseshoe.
We finally made it back to Pen Y Pass well and truly worn out just in time for beer o clock.

Disney Climb Snowdon

Congratulations to all the Disney who climbed Snowdon raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

After a long coach journey up from London everyone finally arrived in Snowdonia late Friday evening after dinner it was time for a quick briefing then straight to the pub for a night cap.

Everyone woke Saturday morning to glorious sunshine, looking forward to the day ahead we all got our kit together ready to set off for Snowdon, Then out of nowhere two very special guests arrived.

It was Mikey Mouse and Goofy they had come to see everyone off on there Snowdon Challenge.

Mikey, Goofy and all the climbers jumped on board the bus for Snowdon stopping on route for a few photo's with our very special friends.

Mikey & Goofy then had to head back home and we started out on our Snowdon Challenge.

Our ascent route up Snowdon was on one of the less used routes but also the longest and hardest which kept us away from all the crowds.

Once we had climbed onto the South Ridge which was going to lead us all the way to the summit we were rewarded with stunning 360 views of Snowdonia.

After a very relaxed lunch stop we made our last climb to the Summit, we then finally made our way back down the PYG Track and to our waiting bus at Pen Y Pass feeling pretty worn out and a little sun burnt.

After dinner it was time for a few celebration drinks to toast the success of the climb and the huge amount of money raised for the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

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.