Sucessful Kinder Canter

A bright but breezy day was had by all on the Kinder plateau on Sunday. With a total party count of 13, ranging from 12 years old to, well, a lot older, it was a pretty mixed group. But, everyone seemed to rub along OK and by late afternoon we were all approaching a very windy Grindslow Knoll in good spirits. Just one short climb then down to the pub for a well earned beer!

Sunday Bog Trot.

OK all.

The forecast is cool, clear and breezy. Sounds about as good as it gets for the time of year so I'll see you in the car park at 10. Don't forget to bring some pound coins, it is pay and dismay.

Back with the BMC

 

 

Snowdon seen from Capel Pinnacles

It was the weekend of the BMC Student Safety Seminar at Plas y Brenin again. Nearly 90 students and a lot of volunteer leaders. There was good weather, free cakes and a lot of enthusiasm. I spent the best part of 2 days rigging around the Pinnacles. There were also other PyB courses going on, so lots of opportunity to swap stories and experiences. Roll on next year.

A Roaches Ramble....

Cally "on belay" on The Pedestal

An older but familiar face from past posts. Pedestal Route at the Roaches getting a second visit to do the LH variation. An excellent 2 or 3 pitch ramble on the Upper Tier that also affords a good eyeball opportunity for anyone wishing to assess their poorly protected chances on Technical Slab, a route framed nicely by Pedestal LH.

Just a test, more to follow if I am actually back online again!

Just taken me ages to log back in. Too many Google accounts, change from Blogspot to Blogger, lack of use of blog........

Been meaning to update for ages but always too busy. Nearly getting made redundant a couple of times a year is a bit of a full time occupation.

Winter season was a bit of a wash out but at least I got one of my daughters up her first winter climbs.

Since then, the rock has mostly been awash. Still, it couldn't stop the FUNdamentals 2 going ahead at the Manchester climbing centre. It didn't stop the RCLA MPA training at Tollymore either but it was really wet. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera (and nearly lost all my luggage) or I might have got a picture of the two Pine Martens in the car park!

Soggy Students & Delicious Cakes

For 18 years now the BMC have been running a Student Safety & Best Practice seminar at Plas y Brenin. I don't know why but it had never occured to me to work on it before. Anyway, after a conversation with Jon Garside a few months ago and some late drop outs, I joined about 90 students and 30 volunteer instructors at he National Mountain Centre.

The weather could have been a lot better but, then again, I've been out in far worse. I headed out to a local outcrop called the Ricks & Racks with another volunteer and 8 of the students. It really wasn't climbing weather and the rock was very slippery. However, the aim of the session was to look at general security around a crag, belay building for personal and group use, pros and cons of various bits of gear and all that other good stuff. So, although we climbed not at all, hopefully lots was learned.


After about 5 hours, it was decided we had had all the fun we coud take and would return to PyB. This was excellent timing as coffee and cakes were freely available and very tasty. This provided the opportunity to review the session a bit then we went to the vacant lecture room to look at belay devices in more detail.

On the social side, I saw a couple of old friends from long ago. We used to work together in a centre near Buxton and it was great to catch up a bit. Hopefully, it won't be as long till the next time we meet up.

Talking of next times, would I do it again? Absolutely. Having come through a university climbing club myself, I think these seminars are a great idea, lots of fun and really useful.