03-04-10, Snowdonia - ML Training and NNAS Course

Last weeks Summer Mountain Leader Training course was wet, this weeks ML Training course was cold and snowy! Most snow had disappeared from Snowdonia bar some large patches hanging in on high northerly cwms. Wednesday saw very wintry weather arrive, which has topped up the white stuff. Snow was falling down to 200m, it has been warmer over the last couple of days leaving the snow line above 600m. Today I was working on a NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) Bronze training and assessment course for Plas y Brenin. The park is busy, being Easter and sunny weather I am not surprised, the Snowdon horseshoe and Glyders looked white and beautiful, and I am sure people are getting out doing some wintry climbing and mountaineering. PJ Mountains is an open course provider for the NNAS Bronze and Silver awards so if you would like to learn how to navigate and get a nationally recognised certificate at the end, get in contact info@pjmountains.co.uk.

22-03-10, Snowdonia - Summer ML Training

This week I am working on a Summer Mountain Leader Training Course based in North Wales. Snowdonia is warmer and wetter than Scotland was. Yesterday we had a Micro Navigation day on Crimpiau, mist and rain came in later in the day. Today we have looked at Emergency Procedures, Rescue and River Crossing hazards. Very windy with rain and warm +2 degrees on summits. Rivers were up slightly but not raging. Most snow has disappeared and I very much doubt winter climbing will be on the agenda again until the end of the year.