Paul James, MIC - Mountain-Expertise.co.uk - Winter and Rock Climbing Conditions

Thursday 30 June 2011

30-06-11, Sea Side Adventures, Anglesey - Coasteering and SLT

 I have spent the last couple of weeks working for Dolawen and Sea2Summit on multi-activity adventure weeks. I have spent plenty of time by the sea side on the cliffs and zawns of Anglesey. Both Sea Level Traversing (SLT) staying dry with clip lines, ropes and Tyroleans and Coasteering, wetsuited up enjoying the swell, climbs and jumps. The NW tip of Anglesey has an amazing coastline from secluded bays and beautiful sandy beaches to towering quartzite rock cliffs. There are numerous venues to do these activities depending on conditions and group ability.






Wednesday 15 June 2011

15-06-11, Pembroke - Rock Climbing

Jake cruising 'Test Case' E3 5c at St Govan's Head.

I have been doing some work in Cheshire at Bolesworth Castle last week and some more normal work at Arthog Outdoor Education Centre this weekend, on a multi-activity course with a primary school from Shrewsbury. Matt. Andy and I managed to do some cragging after work on Saturday at the steep and bold Bird Crag, we climbed a couple of routes before the sun dissappeared. Plenty of rain in Snowdonia Sunday through to today, so I went to Pembroke with Steve. Glorious weather probably too hot! The range is closed 24 7 throughout June and July and with a rough sea we headed to St Govan's Head, Trevellan and St Govan's East. We climbed many routes between HVS and E2 and got pumped (Pembroke pump!).

Monday 6 June 2011

06-06-11, Craig Doris, Lleyn Penninsula - Rock Climbing


More fair weather in Snowdonia over the last few days. I was working for Plas y Brenin at the weekend on a Mountain Leader refresher course. The weekend was designed to cover all of the aspects of the ML syllabus within 2 days, we mainly concentrated on Navigation, Rope Work and Leadership. Today I have been rock climbing on the Lleyn Penninsula at Craig Doris with Andrew. We climbed a crazy 4 pitch route with 2 outrageous traverse breaks - Knowing Her / Fascinating Witches / Scintillating Stitches E2 5b,5a,5a,5b. Very fun and enjoyable, with good holds, gear and only slightly friable rock!

Craig Doris 

 Fascinating Witches R-L traverse.

Friday 3 June 2011

03-06-11, North Wales Rock - Trad Climbing

 Llyn Idwal and Pen yr Ole Wen.

This week I have been working for a local Ogwen centre called Dolawen (Dorothy Stringer High School) on a multi activity course - kayaking, rock climbing and hill walking for year 9 students. The weather has been fine, some drizzle but generally dry with light winds. On Wednesday myself and Will went to Gogarth and climbed on the Upper Tier, back to Gogarth with Steve on Thursday to Main Cliff with a calm sea. Today I have been out in Ogwen with Tom and Steve, initial plan was to climb in Llanberis Pass but parking was an issue. Cwm Idwal turned out to be a great plan, sun and shade, climbing in a t-shirt! Very hot today, but still some wet seepage lines about.
 Tom on his was to dispatching Demetreus E3 6a.