Back To Caving

Back in Porth Yr Ogof

Finding some tight spaces

And some ledges above water


And some water...

Back working at the Soldier Development Wing, I found myself caving again. Not all of the Soldiers under training like caving, but they all 'man up' and get on with it... I ask them what their fears are - and then give them exaclty that, generally tight spaces and water without much space for air, all good stuff..

Pen Y Fan Snow & Climbing Conditions

The mini ridge (II) between the Far Right and Near Right Gully

The East Face (popularly called the North Face) of Pen y Fan started off quiet on New Year's Day. But soon by early morning, there were many keen climbers looking for fun climbing conditions. Several teams headed for Central Gully (III) taking slightly different lines in the upper sections. One team is shown in the video. Other climbers spread out over the other gullies and ridges. My first climb was the ridge between the 2 right hand side gullies.

The ground was frozen, but unfortunately it was frozen without much water content, so there was lots of grass and moss covered in powder topped off with an icy crust. The rock was fully rimed up though. We're still waiting for the fabled South Wales ice climbs to come into condition.

Best wishes everybody for 2010, and safe climbing..

Heathfield School - Gold Assessment

13 Girls made it to the Gold D of E Qualifying Expedition. Their practice had been in scorchio hot weather a couple of months ago - I was a bit worried if they were ready for a wet October in South Wales. The weather started perfect for them in the first couple of days, frosty starts, clear skies - but then the sky grew cloudy, and it all fell apart. The forecast heavy rain arrived with a vengeance and the girls had to adapt fast. They had to get tough fast. All credit to them. They didn't want to be there wet to the skin, walking up hills into mist and rain - trying to trust the compass, but they made it. Particular congratulations on surviving night 3, when EVERYTHING was wet and nasty. It was great to see them in to the finish line - their boots came off FAST - and then we could let them have Lilys' birthday cake - congrats on being 18...

Congrats on passing a tough Gold assessment...