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A Snowy Cuillin 15th May

Ummm this is supposed to be summer.

Adele has spent the last few days exploring the Cuillin ridge in all but perfect weather conditions. Taking the opportunity to shadow Spike Sellers at work for Skye Adventure has been an  invaluable experience.

Popping through the window Sgurr Nan Gillean.

So the winter season continues in Scotland.........

 

 

 

Sunny on Skye 9th May

Looking out to sea.

 

Adele will now be based on Skye for three weeks playing and working. Yesterday we tackled Sgurr Nan Gillean but the 60mph winds made us retreat just before the top. Today was more successful as we made our way up onto Banachidich. The sun shone and it felt rude to not to make the most of the day so we scrambled across to Sgurr Dearg and were spectators of the climbers ascending the Inaccessible pinnacle. Both having made ascents of the pinnacle on previous visits we decided to return down Sgurr Dearg and back to the campsite.

Scrambling along the ridge.

The Inaccessible Pinnacle

 

Adele will be working for Skye Adventure and herself so if you fancy a day or two on Skye please do not hesitate to contact Adele or Skye Adventure

 

Tyn Dwr Mountain Leader Training Course 4th May

This week Adele has been working for UCLAN on one of their enhancement weeks. The Mountain Leader training course was an action packed six days.

Team in the Rhinogs

Day one was spent fine tuning some Navigation skills in the local area before setting out for a Mountain day in the Rhinogs on day 2.  Route finding and navigation together took us off the beaten track and through some very rough terrain. Whilst descending we came across an incident as another group were waiting for a helicopter for someone with a twisted ankle. Watching the big yellow bird in the sky we continued through the forest and bogs.

On Day three the team set off for the Moelwyns where we did some more tricky navigation and practiced some incident management before finding a river to cross.

Use of group shelter to carry the instructor!!

Time to get wet

 

Leaving the comfort of Tyn Dwr it was time for us to go on our mini break to Snowdonia. Arriving in Ogwen we spent a day on the North Ridge of Tryfan looking how to deal with steep ground.

Looking after each other

Practicing using the rope.

After a full day we took a visit to the Ogwen Rescue Team base and had an excellent talk and show round by Tabitha.

Perhaps they need a little more stretcher carrying practice!

Hoping we would not need the services of the Mountain Rescue we finally set off on our two day expedition taking in some steep terrain and high tops to get us to our overnight camp.

On Expedition

 

After an intensive night navigation exercise everyone was ready to settle down to a wild, windy, wet night.

Night Navigation

Luckily the rain passed and we walked back to the vans over the tops in the mist which gradually lifted to give another perfect day.

Breakfast at camp

Walking out

 

Well done to all the UCLAN students who completed their Mountain Leader Training course at Tyn Dwr

 

Thanks to all the other members of staff, Stephen, Jules, Simon and Chris who made this a very memorable week.

 

Adele is now taking bookings on her  ML training course in the Lake District from the 11th to 16th August. Please contact her for details.

 

SPA Training 28th April

Chris on the lead.

This weekend the weather stayed fair for Chris, Louise and Alison who worked hard on their SPA training. On Day 1 we perfected all their skills of personal climbing and leading. Anchors were built and belays tested to the full. To finish the day the team rushed into the Foundry climbing wall to spend time looking at how to manage groups in a climbing wall situation and to encourage good and safe practice.

Louise leading Trapese V Diff ( Froggat)

Alison starting her lead on Gamma ( V Diff).

With an early start on sunday the group discussed group management whilst grazing on a bacon butty before taking a site visit to Yarncliffe Quarry to assess the risks and debate the environmental damage. Birchins was the final destination for the day where we rigged top ropes , releasable abseils and threw in a few rescue scenarios to finish the day.

Louise testing the top rope.

A full weekend for the three SPA trainers who have come away with a head full of new skills.

Thank you to Chris , Louise and Alison for being perfect and good fun students.

Congratulations! A truly inspirational story.

Diana training on An Teallach

Diana Hassle has just rung from Namche Bizarre Nepal exhausted but delighted having completed one of the toughest expeditions you could ever do.

A month of trekking at high altitude crossing several of Nepal's highest passes. The journey took her from Tumlingtar over the Shipton Cols into Makalu base camp. From here they turned left over the West Col and Sherpani Col and then over the Amphu Lapste ( Where Diana celebrated her 71st Birthday). Not complete that left the Cho La and Renjo La passes before heading home to Namche.

An amazing effort and a big congratulations and Well done to Diana.

So what does Diana have in store for her 72nd Birthday!