Wintours Leap, Boulders, The Warehouse
20th May 2013
Work and climbing couldn't be more varied at the moment. Friday I went to Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley and we climbed 1 X HVS, 1 X E1, 1 X E2 & 2 X E3. Saturday & Sunday I was at Boulders in Cardiff running a very large group (10) on a Climbing Wall Award training course. They were a good...
Damian & Catherine at The Yat
15th May 2013
Damian & Catherine wanted their mini break around The Forest of Dean to include some climbing and fortunately they contacted me. We went to Symonds Yat and despite a threatening forecast we decided to give it a go. The rock was generally dry although some pockets were a bit wet. Despite the fact...
Problem solving & AMI workshop
13th May 2013
A successful Saturday on Gower teaching members of the SWMC problem solving techniques. This was followed by a mad dash north to Manchester to take part in a workshop organised by the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI) for Technical Advisors. All in all a very interesting weekend.
Rebecca at Wintours Leap
9th May 2013
A very relaxing day at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley for me, with a lady from London, Rebecca, who wanted to find out more about climbing outside after 2 years of climbing indoors. Rebecca did well, 4 trad pitches and 3 sport climbs. We even managed to beat the rains. Photo shows a very happy...
Back to Trecastle
5th May 2013
Although still recovering from my recent trip to Morroco I was persuaded to go climbing on Thursday to Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. We had a good day finishing off on the desperate 'Blitzkrieg'.
Friday I sat in the sunshine reading. I've been asked by Climber mag to review two new...
Morroco
1st May 2013
Ten days in Morroco climbing and laughing. It was without doubt one of my best climbing trips. I enjoyed the culture, the people, the landscape and the climbing. We also managed 4 new routes one of them in a previously unclimbed area that we called 'Big Willy Gulch'. The photo shows Rob on our...
Guy & Dave go large at Wintours
16th April 2013
Had 2 fun clients on Monday, Guy & Dave. They wanted to improve their climbing and get a bit of trad experience. They got both and I really enjoyed their company. I chose Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley for the action. The pics show Dave in the yellow helmet and Guy on Moth on the left end of...
No blog is good blog?
12th April 2013
I havn't blogged for a bit but couldn't decide if what I was doing was that interesting. Iv'e been climbing for me quite a bit. Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley a couple of times, Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean a couple of times and 2 wonderful days in the Peaks on Grit. One day at The Roaches...
CWLA & CWA
25th March 2013
Friday, Matt & Jak from UCR Bristol needed their Climbing Wall Lead Award assessment so I chose The Warehouse in Gloucester for the day. Both got through with flying colours. The weekend saw me at UCR Bristol running a Climbing Wall Award training course. I had 5 candidates and we had a fun...
Symonds Yat & High ropes
21st March 2013
Tuesday I climbed at Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean. I felt more relaxed climbing than I had for some weeks. 5 routes to E2 5c. Wednesday though was a real eye opener. I attended a high ropes facility in Walsall as a technical advisor. It is often used for the disabled (although I think...
Great SPA training course
18th March 2013
Climbing at Tintern Quarry on Thursday. It was ok given the weather but I could do with a bit of trad. Friday, health and safety checks at The Warehouse in Gloucester, very relaxing good coffee, thanks. Saturday & Sunday took a group of trainees on a very good Single Pitch Award training course....
60 seconds with
14th March 2013
Another busy week but managed some indoor climbing on Wednesday and hoping to climb outside today. It was a buzz to see a piece about me in this months Climber mag. 60 seconds with....
Leadership Trust & CWA training
11th March 2013
A really nice week. Monday, Tuesday & Friday I worked for The Leadership Trust and all 3 days we were at Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean. Good delegates and fun instructors. Thursday I climbed inside at The Warehouse. I didn't enjoy it much and struggled with several relatively easy climbs....
A weekend of two halfs
3rd March 2013
My weekend couldn't have been more varied. Saturday I held a Climbing Wall Award assessment for Boulders in Cardiff. 3 delegates and all 3 got through. It was an easy day for me, they will make good instructors. Sunday I took a school group from St. Neots in Hampshire to Symonds Yat. I organised...
Pembroke, wow
1st March 2013
Just had 2 days climbing in Pembroke. The weather was great the climbing was greater. We spent one day at Carreg-y-Barcud on the North coast and the second day at Mother Carey's Kitchen on the South coast. what a contrast. I hadn't climbed on the North coast before and the photo shows why I...
CWA training course went well
25th February 2013
A quiet but busy week! followed by Climbing Wall Award training course at the weekend. 4 delegates and very different. They were eager to learn and we had fun. The photo shows the fantastic 4 engrossed in climbing games in the boulder room.
From Portland to The Wye
18th February 2013
Thursday and Friday I climbed on the bolted cliffs of Portland in the sunshine. It was great, lots of climbing and sometimes in wonderful positions as the piccy shows. Saturday & Sunday I was teaching 4 very funny guys to lead climb in The Wye Valley. We went to Wintours Leap on Saturday and...
Monmouth, Dan & Ollie
11th February 2013
The site specific assessments for 5 teachers from Monmouth School that want to instruct at their indoor wall went well. All passed with flying colours. See previous blog for piccy of wall. Sunday morning was dog walking (in the rain) and admin but the afternoon was coaching. I met up with father...Working in The Forest of Dean
9th February 2013
A cold week. Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday I worked for The Leadership Trust based near Ross on Wye. We took the delegates to Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean and it was very cold. Despite this the delegates did well as did the instructors. There was some respite on Thursday, I climbed indoors at...
Work & play, perfect
3rd February 2013
Busy and varied the last 10 days, from route setting with Gavin at Monmouth school to making the first ascent of a beautiful wall at Bass Point on The Lizard. I also completed the second day of a Climbing Wall Award (CWA) training course for students at The Southampton Climbing Wall. A return to...
CWA training: Calshot & Southampton
23rd January 2013
I made a difficult drive Tuesday morning to run the first day of a Climbing Wall Award training course for students that use the Southampton wall. We started off at the Calshot wall which is huge and situated with a ski slope in a massive aircraft hanger. We finished the day off at the...
Real courage.
20th January 2013
On Monday evening I watched two young men show great courage. Their bravery won't earn them a medal, just their lives. Everything else this year will seem 'ordinary'.
Life must go on, you can't stop it or get off for a break and Wednesday saw me at UCR Bristol helping Guy run a site specific...
CWA at Plymouth
13th January 2013
Saturday & Sunday, 12th & 13th January I held a Climbing Wall Award training weekend for the Plymouth climbing centre. We used Dart Rock as the second wall. The photos show the bouldering room at Plymouth with a high ropes course above! and the main climbing area at Dart Rock.
Peak-a-boo
11th January 2013
Wednesday & Thursday I climbed on Peak Gritstone and despite the cold it was wonderful. Wednesday we climbed on the quarried grit of Lawrencefield and Thursday the natural grit of Stanage. Great contrast I should grit more often. The picture is from Stanage across the moorland. We chose Stanage...
Climbing Wall Award training at Reading
8th January 2013
Saturday & Sunday I ran one of the best Climbing Wall Award training courses ever. The delegates were fun and eager to learn. Pic shows 3 of the happy souls on the abseil tower.
Monday, still at Reading and had 4 for a Climbing Wall Award assessment. All 4 through despite a few wobbles on the...
Bethan, SPA pass
4th January 2013
Bethan Logan passed her Single Pitch Award assessment today. Bethan had been defered in August for problem solving and small safety issues. She put both those points right at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. Photo shows Bethan leading a short climb and her sister Emily belaying.
Indoor action
3rd January 2013
It was very wet over Christmas and New Year. I tried Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley with Alex & Rob one day but we got rained off. The great indoors came to our rescue a few times so we still had some excercise and fun. We even took their girlfriends Emily & Mel and taught them to belay. The...
Lizard with Rob
22nd December 2012
21st December and I was back on The Lizard with son, Rob. Despite damp & chilly conditions we managed 3 new climbs. The dark blue and light blue lines show 2 of the routes. The red line is a previous climb I did with Dave and the green is a Mike Mitchell climb.
A busy week ?
17th December 2012
A busy week ? H & S checks at The Warehouse in Gloucester and a chat with Guy from UCR Bristol regarding some technical adviser work next year kicked the week off. A fun day mid-week, with an old friend climbing at UCR Bristol that included drinking coffee. Much admin in the office kept me...
New logo for seacliffclimbing.co.uk ?
9th December 2012
This wonderful drawing (with tweaks) could be the logo for my new website www.seacliffclimbing.co.uk
Cold day at Wintours
9th December 2012
Went climbing today (Sunday) at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley with a new friend, Dave Frost. It was damp and cold but we still managed to struggle up 2 E3's on GO Wall. Pic shows Dave on the crux moves of 'I used to be a Werewolf'.
Leadership Trust
8th December 2012
A very pleasant week working for The Leadership Trust at Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean. They even threw in a curry night for Xmas and we were allowed to stay in one their well appointed hotel like rooms. I've also been trying out the Petzl helmet for Trek & Mountain who want me to write a...
2 new, loose & scarey climbs
3rd December 2012
Went climbing with Tim on Sunday and as we wanted a short day we decided on Woodcroft Quarry at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. After climbing a short, easy sport climb to warm-up I noticed 2 unclimbed grooves. Tim got very excited and as I lowered him he cleaned off the loose rock in the...
Monmouth School, site specific
2nd December 2012
Monmouth school called me in to run a site specific instructor course for their small climbing wall. A very enjoyable day, everyone friendly and dinner thrown in as well.
Desperate offwidth, XS
29th November 2012
The weather Tuesday and Wednesday took a turn for the better and Mike Mitch, Adam Parslow and me climbed 6 new routes on The Lizard in Cornwall. One of my leads was an evil offwidth that I was keen to try. It was desperate, serious and worthy of the coveted XS grade. Even getting off at the top...
CWLA at Redpoint
21st November 2012
A great day helping Joby Davis run a Climbing Wall Lead award training course for a large group of 8. I had to drive up to Redpoint in Birmingham very early to avoid the traffic but it was well worth the effort. The group had mixed abilities but all were keen. The wall itself was great and had...
CWA UCR & UWE
19th November 2012
The weather was glorious at the weekend but I was working indoors for UCR Bristol running a Climbing Wall Award training course. Fortunately the delgates were fun and eager to learn and I was helped by JP. I had worked with JP once before and he is very knowledgeable. The picture shows Matt and...
Still busy still climbing
15th November 2012
Since running a Climbing Wall Lead Award training course at the Kendal wall I've been busy with smaller but very rewarding jobs. Coaching climbing to Dan and his son Ollie & teaching the already experienced staff at Boulders to teach lead climbing. Throw in a bit of abseil assessment at the...
CWLA at Kendal
7th November 2012
Monday drove up to Kendal to run a Climbing Wall Lead Award on the Tuesday. The day went well. The 3 candidates were good and I got some useful help from an MIC called Andy. The wall itself is excellent. There is a great lead climbing wall and several useful training rooms. The staff were very...
SPA for UCR
5th November 2012
Single Pitch Award courses have increased this year and they are always enjoyable. This weekend I was working for UCR in Bristol and I chose Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley for the first day and Goblin Coombe for day 2. The photo shows Iggy, Clive and Rosea posing on the Easy Way Down at...
Varied & Fun
29th October 2012
Three fun days and varied. On Friday Rob Barr and I caught up and between coffee we managed a few climbs at Tintern Quarry in The Wye Valley.
Saturday was a bit trickier. I was running a Climbing Wall Award assessment at Boulders and being observed by Mal Creasey from the Mountain Training...
Climbing Wall Award training at UCR
22nd October 2012
Climbing Wall Award training at Bristol UCR at the weekend but only had 3. Very relaxing.
Abseil training & Climbing Wall Lead Award assessment
17th October 2012
Tuesday I ran a 3 hour staff training session on group abseiling for Dymph, Dave & Hannah at The Warehouse climbing centre. It was more fun than work, very enjoyable. Wednesday saw me back at Boulders climbing centre running a Climbing Wall Lead Award assessment for Sarah Jane from UCR Bristol...
Climbing Wall Award at Boulders in Cardiff
15th October 2012
The weekend saw me at Boulders in Cardiff running a Climbing Wall Award (CWA) training course. I only had 5 delegates which made a very relaxing course for me and I hope them. Picture shows Anna rescuing Mitch from a frozen climber position.
2 days climbing with Rob
13th October 2012
Rob (son) and I planned to have a couple of days climbing Thursday & Friday but the weather drove us into The Warehouse on Thursday. We had a good session but longed to be out. Friday and the weather was great and we decided on Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. 2 trad routes and 3 sport routes...
Wedding and slacklines not a combination
10th October 2012
It's not all about the climbing and the weekend saw me in Cornwall to celebrate Dave and Katies wedding. The weather was great which made me fret a bit and I longed to go exploring on the Lizard, but I had a lot of fun.
Tuesday and Wednesday i'm working for the Leadership Trust at Symonds Yat...
Single Pitch Award in Pembroke
5th October 2012
Went to Pembroke to run a Single Pitch Award (SPA) assessment for 3 delegates with Trevor. I hadn't run a SPA course in Pembroke before and it worked perfectly. 2 of the trainees got through and 1 just needs a bit more work on their logbook. Well done to all and a big thanks to Trevor. Pic shows...
Lee & Sarah at Clydach
30th September 2012
A very pleasant day taking Lee and Sarah climbing and gorge walking at Clydach. We started up on Crag X but it was freezing. We managed a couple of climbs before returning to the cars above the Clydach Gorge. After lunch we went into the gorge where they threw themselves at everything the gorge...
Wet on the Lizard
27th September 2012
Dave and I had to work hard for our new routes this time. Up at 5 both days to try and beat tides and weather. We did manage 3 new routes and one of them was stunning. It crossed a blank looking wall rightwards with sparce protection before heading directly to a desperate finish on a short...
Seal in distress
27th September 2012
Whilst exploring for new climbs on the Lizard (see other blog) we entered a small cove and found a baby seal that seemed in distress. As we stood wondering what we could do to help it's mum came out of the sea and made a beeline for us. When she was satisfied we were far enough back not to be a...
Bankers in the gorge & 2 ladies in the Wye
22nd September 2012
A wonderful couple of days, last Thursday and Friday that is. Working for Life Changing Activities on Thursday I had to take 3 groups of bankers through the Clydach gorge. I tried to lose a couple but they came from good stock and were very lively. I tried to trick them into parting with their...
Rock & Sun in The Wye Valley
17th September 2012
I worked for the Leadership Trust during the week with a couple of fun groups (one delegate thought that the 4 instructors that included me, looked like The Rolling Stones on tour) We spent 3 days at Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean which I always enjoy. At the weekend I was working for Rock...
Kate at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley
10th September 2012
Some time ago I had a e mail from a lady called Anna from Australia who wanted to book an outdoor day for her friend Kate who lived in South Wales for her birthday. Eventually between the 3 of us we arranged it and chose Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. Kate hadn't been climbing for a bit but...
Climbing Wall award assessment at UCR
9th September 2012
A very relaxing week in South Wales except for attending farcical BMC area meeting on Tuesday evening at Boulders. Back to reality Saturday with a Climbing Wall award assessment at UCR in Bristol. Two through with strong passes but one was defered and needs a bit more polish.
Climbing Wall Award training with Joby
2nd September 2012
I helped out on a Climbing Wall Award training course with Joby Davis today. Great fun and he's very professional. Look forward to working with Joby again.
Sara at Wintours, wow
1st September 2012
Took a lady called Sara to Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley for a bit of climbing and although she had only been climbing for a year she climbed beautifully. We started on Left-Hand Route which she found very pleasant. We then did Powers of Persuasion E1 and Notung E1, she cruised them. Sara then...
Second Single Pitch award assessment of the week
31st August 2012
The second Single Pitch award assessment of the week was a bit tougher than the first. 3 got through but 1 was deferred. The 1 that was deferred was very honest with me about the way it was going and I was very grateful for that. The weather was good at both Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley and...
Single Pitch Award assessment for PYB
29th August 2012
Day 1 of the Single Pitch Award assessment I'm running for Plas Y Brenin went well. I chose Wintours Leap in the Wye Valley and covered: climbing, gear placements, leading, belay set-ups, bottom rope set-ups, problem solving, warm-ups, technique & sport climbing. Second day will be at Symonds...
Di & Jackie in The Wye Valley
27th August 2012
A very nice lady, Di Gregory arranged a day out with me for her sister Jackies birthday. I chose my favourite venue, Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. After an easy climb to get warmed up we went over to the North Wall area where we climbed Right-Hand Route. After a long abseil to get down we...
Day 2 on The Lizard
25th August 2012
Another cracking day new routing, this time 3 new climbs. The first, in photo, had a tough start but excellent climbing E2 5b. The second was a slab climb that Dave led that had a fascinating finish both loose and unprotected. HVS 4c. The final climb had a great start up a chimney which led to a...
2 new routes on Lizard
23rd August 2012
With Dave Hope & his friend Dave we climbed 2 great, new routes. One I had wanted for sometime took a blank looking wall but was in fact covered in nice incuts. It was bold though, we gave it E3 5b and called it Lindas Fate. The second route was on a previously unexplored cliff and was very...
Birthday, Climbing Wall Award
20th August 2012
At Boulders In Cardiff running a Climbing Wall Award (CWA) training course at the weekend which was also my birthday. A large group of 9 but they were a good bunch and should make good instructors. One of them, a French lady called Caroline with her dad has developed a portable-ish bouldering...
Trad & lead course in Pembroke
17th August 2012
Wednesday & Thursday I was in Pembroke running a trad & lead course with 3 previous clients, Harbie, Luke & Jackie and 1 new one the very aimiable Ickie. Despite the weather doing its best to stop us we managed 3 climbs on Wednesday. Thursdays weather was a bit better and Harbie & Luke climbed...
A quote from Al Alvarez
17th August 2012
'I am directly responsible for my actions. In that beautiful, silent, world of mountains, it seems to me worth a little risk'
A funny old week
12th August 2012
An interesting week. Monday health & safety checks at The Warehouse climbing centre, Tuesday climbing with son Rob who showed me how to do a few moves better. Wednesday shopping with Lin, ouch ! Thursday and Friday high ropes, and got an accidental kick in the teeth. Saturday and Sunday trad...
Multipitch/trad course
6th August 2012
This weekend saw me trying to run a multipitch/trad course for Rock & Sun at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley. The weather wasn't very kind to us and we got soaked a few times but the students were game and we still managed 2 multipitch climbs as well as a few single pitch routes. They also got...
Rob leads trad
2nd August 2012
Rob (my son) and I went to Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean yesterday and between the showers managed 5 routes. Rob led Exchange VS, very comfortably. I think he's hooked. Photo shows Rob on Exchange.
Army on Single Pitch Award Training
30th July 2012
Last weekend saw me at Sennybridge running a Single Pitch Award training course for 4 army lads. We went to Morlais and WICC on Saturday and Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley on Sunday. Despite a bit of rain on Sunday the day went well and the army lads showed their skills at setups and their...
Rose at the Yat
27th July 2012
I had a pleasant day at Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean with Rose Mitchell. We both led a couple of nice climbs each and even met up with Dave Parker and Bob Honey. But it was Rocky that caused the most fuss with at least half a dozen people asking what he was. My answer now is, I don't know...
Tintern quarry with Rob Penning
25th July 2012
A wonderful day at Tintern quarry in The Wye Valley with Rob (son). He led his hardest climb yet, 6a. We climbed a few others besides but hot weather and my second chopped rope of the year saw us back at home before 6.
Feeling at home
23rd July 2012
I always enjoy returning home to be with the ones I love and care for. (Hope I don't sound to soppy). But, I always feel relaxed and at home when I'm high up exploring on the Italian side of The Mont Blanc range. I have climbed about 35 new routes here now as well as repeating many of the...
Forth new route but knackered
20th July 2012
On Thusday Mike and I went up for our forth new route. A 4 hour walk in became 5 we were both feeling it from our previous trips up. We were heading for a stunning groove line on the Aiguille Noire. When we got to the base we could see it had many overhangs, should prove interesting. We managed...
Third new route in Alps
18th July 2012
Mike Mitchell and I have just finished our third new route on the Italian side of Mont Blanc range in just over a week. This one was without doubt the best and one of the best I've ever done. It pushed us for 4 hard and bold pitches (up to E4) before it allowed us into the main groove line....
Second new route
16th July 2012
On Sunday Mike and I climbed our second new route of the trip. It tries to follow the right arête of the Tetes des Chasseurs but we were forced onto the right wall for one section. Overall loose and scary E3 5a but strangely enjoyable. Having said that I was glad to get down. A long 12 hour...
New peak climbed
13th July 2012
Over 2 days, Wednesday & Thursday Mike Mitchell & I climbed a previously unclimbed peak on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range. It was never difficult, up to HVS but often serious, no protection & long over 2000 feet. The descent was a mixture of dodgy down-climbing and awkward abseils. The...
Unclimbed peak looks hard
10th July 2012
Mike and I had a look at the unclimbed rock peak through binos today, it appears more remote and harder than it was in my mind. We will go up tomorrow for a closer look. We plan to leave some kit up there ready for our attempt.
A day on the hill with 61 youngsters
6th July 2012
I had the great pleasure to spend Thursday helping 4 other instructors and a group of teachers take 61 young people from socially deprived backgrounds to the top of Moel Famau in North Wales. They all made it. Some had never seen the countryside before and it was fun showing it to them. At the...
Sub Zero sponsorship
5th July 2012
A box full of clothing arrived today from Sub Zero and it's great. The quality is superb it is exactly what I need for my next adventure in the Alps.
Climbing Wall Award training
4th July 2012
On Tuesday and Wednesday I held a Climbing Wall Award training course for Boulders in Cardiff. There were 11 candidates, the biggest course I had ever run but fourtunately Ollie from Boulders was on hand to help.
Dog Show !
2nd July 2012
I suppose a blog on a climbing website should really be about climbing and instruction but Rocky can climb and can quite easily get up the Easy Way Down at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley so its only right I report on his success at a local, village dog show. He got a fifth for 'Best any dog'...
Boulders for a day indoors
1st July 2012
Staff shortages and lots of groups left Ollie from Boulders searching for staff on Saturday. Luckily I had a cancellation. I was warned it would be a mixed day including a birthday party and Tim one of the senior instructors found me a yellow, staff tee-shirt. Fortunately on 3 of the groups I...
Wintours & High Ropes
29th June 2012
A mega days climbing at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley on Wednesday with Mike Mitch. 1 x E1, 2x E2, a 2 pitch E3 & an E4. Just the job and probably our last days climbing together before the Alps. Thursday was completely different, I helped run a high ropes course in the Forest of Dean, near...
Gorge walking is fun
26th June 2012
On Saturday I helped take a large group (30 on a stag) gorge walking at Trecastle. Iv'e worked here a few times before and it's exciting and interesting with a fair amount of rope work involved but it didn't prepare me for the gorge walk at Dinas. I arrived at Dinas on Monday, one of my old...
Another mega new route
24th June 2012
I may have got up an E6 on The Lizard at the Lighthouse cliffs. I had to clean the climb first which took a fair time and I thought it would be hard, I couldn't see any rests and it was continuously overhanging. Fortunately holds broke and left me swinging in space allowing my arms to rest. I...
Laugh & climb at Wintours Leap
17th June 2012
Went to Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley today with Rob, Ian & Nick and had a good laugh. Despite the aching sides Rob and I managed a lot of tricky climbs that left us feeling very satisfied, just what the doctor ordered.....no photos though
University Expedition Society
16th June 2012
An unusual and fun day at the Avon Gorge with 2 likely lads, Tom and Sam from Bristol University Expedition Society. They wanted to know a variety of things. Belay set-ups, escaping the system, gear placements, hoisting, & climbing. Using Seawalls, The Ramp and the New Quarry we covered...
Tewksbury school at Yat
14th June 2012
Fun at Symonds Yat in The Forest of Dean today with 11 students from Tewksbury school. I had lots of help from Mike Mitch, Ann, Vicky & Rob which was just as well. We finished slightly early and went to the cafe for tea and (for some) cake. When the group left Mike and I found time for a couple...
Warehouse staff training
13th June 2012
Staff training for The Warehouse on Tuesday, revisiting floorwalking issues. Looked at knots and poor belaying, I always learn something.
Sub Zero technology sponsorship
12th June 2012
Sub Zero technology are to sponsor me. This is great news, their products are first class and will fit in well with both my climbing and instruction. I'm sure I will be able to promote Sub Zero and raise awareness of the name in new areas.
Imran returns
11th June 2012
Sunday the weather forecast was bad (but wrong) and Imran drove across from London again and we had a cracking day. Imran wanted to go back to Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley and this time I thought Imran should just get to it and he led all of Right Hand Route very nicely.
We then climbed...
Kelvin, Joe & Dylan
10th June 2012
Saturday was a treat. I had father Kelvin and his 2 sons Joe & Dylan for a day out at Wintours leap in The Wye Valley. We started off with a very easy climb in the Broadwalk area to get the feel for the rock before making a mass ascent of Right Hand Route on The North Wall. This was followed of...
Climbing Wall Award training & assessment
9th June 2012
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday saw me back at the excellent Reading Climbing Centre working for Plas Y Brenin. Wed & Thurs it was Climbing Wall Award training including the abseil module for 6 delegates and they all showed great promise as instructors.
Friday was for a Climbing Wall Award...
New Cornish climbs
6th June 2012
Sunday evening saw me racing off to Cornwall for some more new routes on The Lizard in Cornwall. Despite forecasts Mondays weather was great and Dave, Mark and I managed 6 new climbs although we failed on 2. One was just to bloody hard and the other fell to bits and Mark and me had to be rescued...
Single Pitch Award training
4th June 2012
Sat & Sun 2nd & 3rd June I ran a Single Pitch Award training for 3 likely lads, Tom, Elliot and Ollie and we had much fun. We went to Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley on Saturday and Goblin Coombe on Sunday before fininshing off indoors for a few hours doing Climbing Wall Award stuff. The Pic...
Neils trad
30th May 2012
Day 2 of Neils trad/lead course took place at Symonds Yat in the very leafy Forest of Dean. Neil excelled leading Golden Fleece and Exchange in good style but it was Trundlebum Rex that gave Neil the most trouble. After a false start Neil overcame the lower comitting moves and climbed...
Neil Bannister
28th May 2012
I had a man called Neil Bannister today for the first day of his trad/lead course and although we had never met I felt as if I had known him for years......spooky, maybe but what a nice day. I chose Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley again and we did loads. Left Hand Route, Right Hand Route,...
27th May 2012
A great outdoor day with a man called Paul. I decided on Wintours Leap in the Wye Valley for Pauls first ever outdoor day and it did us proud. We started off on an easy climb in the Broadwalk area so Paul could get a feel for real rock before heading over to the North Wall where Paul climbed...
26th May 2012
Working for Life Changing Activities today abseiling and gorge walking. Michael had a stag party booked and the stag himself arrived wearing a gold, tight one piece thing. It was a fun day and everyone had a go at everything the gorge could throw at them. The photo shows how dramatic the...
25th May 2012
Another day on GO wall at Wintours Leap in the Wye Valley. Mike and I found it hot and sweaty and struggled with the lower sections that seemed a bit green. I was knackered after just a few pitches and one failure. Pic shows Mike making a long abseil from the chimney of Kangaroo Wall.
23rd May 2012
What a lovely day. Sal and Reg wanted a day out to learn more about set-ups for top roping, bottom roping, sport lead climbing and abseiling. A mixed bag but using Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley made it possible.
After a good start climbing Moth on Fly Wall we looked at abseiling. We then...
22nd May 2012
A fun afternoons climbing with big bad Barr. Our first time climbing together for some years. We climbed 3 routes on GO Wall at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley but most of the day was chat and gossip, great stuff. Pic shows Rob on the sharp end for 'I used to be a Werewolf'.
21st May 2012
Friday and Saturday I stayed up in the Peaks for my third trad/lead course for Rock and Sun. The clients this time were the very affable Ben and Martin. They didn't know each other and I didn't know them but after just a couple of hours it was as if we known each other for years and we spent the...
20th May 2012
Wednesday & Thursday saw me back in the Peaks teaching trad/lead climbing to Gavin & Claire for Rock and Sun. Gavin took to trad/lead climbing like a duck to water but Claire wasn't so sure and needed time to adjust to the differences between indoors and outside. Having said that she did well...
14th May 2012
A wonderful weekend teaching trad/lead to 2 nice couples in the Peaks. A mixed group. Heidi from The Dolomites in Italy with her partner Victor from Spain. Aimee from Chicago and Dave from Montana. We went to Stanage on Saturday, dry but very chilly. I chose Lawrencefield on Sunday where we did...
11th May 2012
A great days climbing at Wintours Leap in The Wye Valley with Mike Mitch. Started off with a couple of warm-up routes and then had a go at my latest project. It's just a variation on Liquid Leather and avoids the booming flake in dramatic style. A hard pull on a finger pocket enables a vertical...
10th May 2012
Work continues to be varied. A very wet day at Symonds Yat in the Forest of Dean showing Neil and Paul from The Warehouse a few Single Pitch Award set-ups to help them with groups they will be running themselves. The 3 of us may have been unhappy with the weather but this little blighter ran...
7th May 2012
A late but busy blog. Earlier in the week I ran a staff training session for the Warehouse staff on outdoor set-ups and floor-walking. Held a sight specific teach lead climbing assessment for 2 of the staff and had a good climbing session with Alexandra before we retired to the bar for a Q & A...
28th April 2012
Went climbing indoors this week with Mike Mitchell which gave us the opportunity to discuss our plans to climb The Geneva Pillar on The North Face of the Eiger. I have been out to the Eiger 3 times already but the weather was against me. Forth time lucky ? Friday I ran a Single Pitch Award...
24th April 2012
Sunday was cold but dry and after meeting up in the car park at Symonds Yat in the Forest of Dean Imran started off as he meant to go on. He led Golden Fleece, Exchange and Trundlebum Rex and built belays so he could bring me up safely. He also followed The Beak E2, The Russian HVS and Mini...
21st April 2012
A late blog. Thursday it rained on and off but still got 3 routes in on the right side of GO wall at Wintours Leap and a look at a new variation. Friday went to Symonds Yat and after a shaky and cold start (there were hailstones) we (Ian and I) got up a couple of E2's. Saturday working but felt...
16th April 2012
A very entertaining weekend running a Single Pitch Award training course. The delgates were very able and we even managed to climb an E2 and perform a rescue off the Pinnacle at Symonds Yat. Above and beyond the remit of the SPA but great fun.
12th April 2012
New routing on the Lizard in Cornwall produced more stunning climbs the best of which for me was the direct finish to 'No Country for Old Men' that I climbed with Tim last year. This weighed in at a mighty E5 6a but I had to look at it first. I tried to on-sight it last year but eventually had...
7th April 2012
Friday went to Wintours leap in the Wye Valley with Ian and had a good afternoons climbing. We both failed to climb one route at the far end and it was bolted !
On Saturday I met up with a very nice lady called Alexandra. This was to be her first ever outdoor climbing experience and I decided...
6th April 2012
What a stroke of luck. I had a cancellation on Wednesday and Rock and Sun had a last minute booking for a trad/lead climbing course on Wednesday and Thursday from a chap called Alastaire. We met at Costa in Gloucester on Wednesday morning and the weather was terrible. We decided to climb indoors...
1st April 2012
Another good day running Single Pitch Award training course for UCR Bristol. We went to Goblin Coombe quarry where I found the grades a bit stiff during the initial climbing session. JP worked well and the piccy shows the group listening intently to one of his chats.
31st March 2012
After running a successful Climbing Wall Award training course for boulders in Cardiff on Thursday and Friday I'm running a Single Pitch Award training course for Bristol UCR Saturday and Sunday. I used Wintours Leap in the Wye Valley today and will use Goblin Coombe tomorrow. 8 delegates so...
30th March 2012
What a week. 2 great days climbing on Tuesday and Wednesday and then it was off to Boulders in Cardiff to run a Climbing Wall Award training course. There were 6 candidates and they all put their heart into the the two days,well done to them and thanks again to the staff, very helpful and great...
25th March 2012
This weekend I ran a Climbing Wall Award training course for UCR Bristol. All the candidates did well and will make good CWA's. The pic shows them in action at the second wall UWE also in Bristol.
23rd March 2012
Worked for the Leadership Trust on Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday. It was a good laugh & the delegates were keen. On the Friday Mike, Sarah and I made a (hopefully) funny film on tying the figure of 8 knot which we will put on You Tube. But, it was Thursday that was the most exciting. Besides...
19th March 2012
Went to The Roaches on Sunday, it was freezing. The sun would make a brief appearance and then the cloud would return and the temprerature would drop. It even started sleeting on one occasion until the ground was white. Despite this Tim and I still managed 5 climbs, 3 of which were 5b. Piccy...
17th March 2012
Sketched my way up Crocodile Tears, E4 on GO Wall at Wintours leap yesterday. It was a tough lead in new rock shoes and cold fingers. In the evening as a complete contrast I took my Nephew Alan for a quick abseiling session at The Warehouse as practice for a charity event he's involved with.
16th March 2012
An interesting couple of days. On Wednesday I went to Symonds Yat to teach trad-lead climbing. I set up 2 mock lead ropes and my group practiced placing gear. A successful session.
Thursday despite the cold and mist I managed to get up 4 routes on the right side of GO wall at Wintours. But I...
12th March 2012
Returned to Porthcawl on Sunday to have a look at some of the climbs I didn't get to see last Wednesday when I was helping to run a learn to lead trad day. I like the rock and although everything was wet I was able to solo about 10 climbs. The photo shows me on the HVS on Main Cliff. 
11th March 2012
A great day Friday. Ended up at Tintern Quarry with Ian Parsons where we climbed 4 tricky climbs with cold fingers and lots of laughs.
Ian on Phil in the Gaps.
Saturday was a complete contrast. The wonderful weather saw me indoors at Boulders in Cardiff running a Climbing Wall Award (CWA)...
8th March 2012
A few days since my last blog. My dad is still in hospital, 3 weeks after a replacement hip op ! He's not doing very well and neither is my mum. Went to the Warehouse on Monday to run a session for some young girls. They enjoyed the bouldering and were very able lead climbers. On Tuesday I held...
2nd March 2012
A good day at Symonds Yat yesterday (Thursday). 1 x E1, 3 x E2 and 1 x E3. Sadly no pics.
29th February 2012
Met up with my old friend John Harwood on Tuesday at Wintours Leap. We hadn't climbed together for years but there was still a feeling of the good old days. The rock was a bit wet low down but we climbed a few routes over on the Yesterdays Dreams area. He brought his dog 'Louis' along, a 3 year...
27th February 2012
Much to blog. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at the Leadership Trust. It was a fun few days with good delegates. Thursday at Wintours Leap with 4 routes climbed. 1 x VS, 2 x E2 and the mighty Acid Test E3. Saturday I ran a Climbing Wall Award (CWA) assessment for Bristol UCR. 4 were deferred and...
19th February 2012
On Friday I ran a Climbing Wall Lead award training course (CWLA) at the Reading Wall for Plas Y Brenin. All 3 candidates did well. My congratulations to Grahame, Will and Rob they knew their stuff. The piccy shows Rob and Will demonstrating awkward clips in the boulder room. Reading Wall has...
18th February 2012
Wednesday and Thursday I ran a Climbing Wall Award (CWA) training course at the Reading Wall for Plas Y Brenin. All the candidates were keen and did well, they will make excellent instructors. The picture shows them enjoying a warm game. The staff were brilliant and the coffee was great. I...
14th February 2012
A great weekend at the AMI meet. On Saturday I attended a 'coaching movement' workshop and the AGM. On Sunday I went to the MLTB provider workshop. Both workshops were interesting and worthwhile. I also picked up 3 days work from PYB running a Climbing Wall Award training course and a Climbing...
5th February 2012
A nice weekend at The Warehouse running a Climbing Wall Award (CWA) training course with Adam and Dymph, they both did well. The brick climbing wall is at Dean Close in Cheltenham but unfortuntely the public are not allowed to use it. The other pic shows Dymph giving Adam a helping hand during...
1st February 2012
A busy few days. Sunday 29th Jan, flew down to Portland with Tim and despite cold fingers managed to get 5 climbs done at Blacknor South. 2 of them were 6b+ which was quite respectable considering I couldn't feel my finger tips. Monday I was back in Swansea at Llandarcy sport academy to run...
26th January 2012
Blog slightly out of order. Took Climbing Wall Lead Award (CWLA) training course at BUCR on Saturday. Great fun I think it went well. Lower pic shows Kim climbing belayed by Sarah-Jane, Adam looks on. Monday and Tuesday I worked for Dynamic Rock in Swansea and ran a Climbing Wall Award (CWA)...
25th January 2012
My blog will be a bit out of order but I dont suppose it matters. Went to the Roaches on Sunday 22nd, and the weather was terrible. Cold and at times the rain was horizontal. But no matter I led Matinee, a hard jamming crack and then when the weather was at its worst I did what i had wanted to...
20th January 2012
A good afternoons climbing at UCR on Tuesday but shoulder is still playing up. Rest ? I don't think so, but whats the answer. Thursday at Boulders in Cardiff running a Climbing Wall Award assessment. i usually find assessments hard work and this was no exception. In the end 4 passed, 1 was...
16th January 2012
Sunday 15th Jan. A great day out with Ed and Jane at Wintours Leap. 2 climbs done, Left Hand Route and Joes Route finishing off with a scramble up the easy way down. The top picture shows the happy couple on top of Joes Route. The view towards the North Wall, across the river and over to...
14th January 2012
Thursday (12th Jan) I had a great day at Wintours Leap. 1 E2 and 2 E3's on GO wall. Just what I needed, a fantastic boost at this time of year. Saturday took an Australian lady called Jane to Symonds Yat and despite the cold she managed 4 climbs, one of them she led twice. A very enjoyable...
11th January 2012
Tuesday I went to Wintours Leap on my own and no matter how many times I go (must be a few thousand now) I love being there. It rained unfortunately so I just scrambled around enjoying the solitude of the crags. Today (Wednesday) I ran a 2 hour staff training session at The Warehouse on...
9th January 2012
Travelled up to the Peaks with Tim late on Saturday afternoon and arrived at at Ramshaw in the dark. The rock was wet and cold and we still managed to climb 2 routes !
Sunday was a bit more sensible and we went to Lawrencefield. Despite the cold we got up 7 climbs and as the photo shows...
7th January 2012
Had some first aid training at the Leadership Trust on Wednesday, how to administer oxygen and how to use a defribbulator (I think thats how you spell it). On Thursday went to UCR Bristol for some climbing and yesterday got Lins car fixed. Not a bad week. This afternoon (Saturday) I'm off to...
3rd January 2012
What a week. On Tuesday I climbed ok at UCR but then crashed my car driving home. The next day I realised, not for the first time in my life that you can't believe everything you hear and that thought along with a touch of man flu kept me at a low eb as I wrestled with the insurance company...
23rd December 2011
Had a good afternoons climbing at UCR Bristol, 16 climbs ! Also I've decided to have 2 Christmas Eves because I like them so much
21st December 2011
A good session at The Warehouse climbing centre last night. A very social evening with lots of chat. I climbed with Dave Cornish who is doing very well and is interested in attending a Climbing Wall Lead Award (CWLA)training course. Dave has already completed his Climbing Wall Award (CWA) and...
18th December 2011
Thursday went to Undercover Rock in Bristol for some indoor action but struggled with the injury in my right shoulder. It makes crunching noises after a few routes. My poor climbing left me a bit flat. Saturday (17th) was different. I had 2 new clients, Colin and Ralph who wanted to brush up...
14th December 2011
The third and final session at Tewksbury school went well looking at coaching climbing and keeping the pupils interested through progression. Then it was on to The Warehouse for an evening with Dave C pulling on plastic. I enjoyed the climbing and found it all quite sociable.
13th December 2011
I saw the quote below on Steve Findlays Facebook page and couldn't help but agree with it as my body picks up more injurys.............
The object of life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body but to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting holy shit what a...
12th December 2011
A good trip to North Wales last week 7th & 8th December. Met up with Mal & Cath at the MLTB and Carlo at PYB. Also saw Streaky Desroy at DMM and in the pint & pizza place had a laugh with Jason from Wild Country. The weather was bad but did manage a bit of climbing at the Beacon and quite...
2nd December 2011
30th November & 1st December running a Single Pitch Award assessment. All 3 candidates got through giving me a very enjoyable couple of days. Thanks Neil, Dan & John and well done. The first picture shows John rescuing Neil on the second day. Also on the Thursday bumped into Michael Downey...
29th November 2011
Not had chance to blog for a few days. I had a good day Thursday climbing at Wintours Leap but ended up a bit knackered at the end of the day. Friday I worked for the Leadership Trust and that was fun as usual. The weekend was spent running a Climbing Wall Award training course for UCR in...
23rd November 2011
An interesting few days. Sunday at Wintours Leap and climbed 3 routes on the right side of GO wall. Monday a very constructive chat with website John re a new page for website on first ascents. This will link to Marcus at realadventurefilm.com to report on the new Alpine route/peak we hope to...
19th November 2011
A Fun day working for the Leadership Trust. Delegates and instructors on good form. This amazing thing (according to expert on all forest stuff Michael Downey) is the edible, quick growing (it grew that day !) Shaggy Parasol. Nature keeps surprising me.
15th November 2011
A good day working at the Leadership Trust near Ross. It was good to meet up with the other instructors and have a chin wag. Marcus brought his big camera along and filmed me talking about the Alps and the new route we hope to film next year. It looks like this film could happen.
10th November 2011
A dramatic backdrop for Neil yesterday as he sets up a releaseable abseil at Wintours Leap during his Single Pitch Award refresher day. The evening was entertaining as well with 3 people turning up for the improvised rescue session. 
7th November 2011
A very successful Climbing Wall Lead Award at Boulders for Bristol UCR. All 3 candidates through with flying colours. Thanks again Boulders for your hospitality and Tim you were a star.
31st October 2011
A great weekend at Boulders running a Climbing Wall Award training course. The 4 candidates were very keen and great fun, they all have bags of potential. Thanks again to the staff at Boulders for looking after me with gear and coffee.
25th October 2011
Spot the Heron. This picture was taken in a town but it feels like a bit of the countryside.
24th October 2011
A very pleasant couple of days with Astrid and Angela. The first day on big Tryfan in the rain with the long horned goats. We got down early enough for coffee at V12. In the evening we had a very social pizza and pint. The second day we went up to little Tryfan where Angela climbed on rock...
20th October 2011
Off to North Wales for a few days teaching nav but the picture shows another fantastic new route in the making on The Lizard
'No Country For Old Men' E3
17th October 2011
'A leaf that cant fall'
16th October 2011
A great day at Wintours (Saturday) with Dave Cornish. A mix of grades from pleasantly amenable to bloody hell this is a bit tricky.
15th October 2011
A great afternoons climbing at Avon yesterday almost to hot to climb. Is it really October. Picture shows a local young-gun on Rancho
10th October 2011
A wet Sunday at Avon with Chris Kempster but we still managed 2 climbs. 1 on the Suspension Bridge Buttress and 1 in the Quarry. It was probably dry at Wintours or Symonds Yat. Ah Well
6th October 2011
A great afternoons sport with my old pal Ian Parsons on GO Wall at Wintours leap despite the rain. The picture shows Ian on Never Say Never Again in a steady drizzle.
3rd October 2011
A great weekend new-routing and exploring. This photo show Tough Teacher a superb E3 but 3 other climbs were onsighted as well and equally good. Payback a quality E2 finishing up the groove top right of this picture, The Final Cut a fascinating ramp line E1 and a truly great severe The...
3rd October 2011
The first picture shows The Sting E1. A very easy corner/crack leads to this out of balance move with great exposure. The other picture is of Broken Arrow E2. Steep and pumpy all the way, fantastic. We had to leave after these, we couldn't raise our arms.
30th September 2011
An interesting week, more high ropes jinx and eating out with nice folk but Cornwall this weekend for exploring and new routes. The main event this weekend will be to explore the bulging wall in the top right of this picture, I can't wait.
24th September 2011
High ropes course for a stag party today. They all did well with Jacobs ladder and leap of faith but the crate stacking was really freaky. 15 crates was the highest. I doubt I could have done 2.
18th September 2011
Had fun working for the Leadership Trust on friday. Symonds Yat was the venue, delegates and instructors were in fine form. Instructors showed some interesting rope tricks as usual, see my facebook page for a piccy of the best one.
15th September 2011
A busy week so far working at the Leadership Trust. Up at 5 and 2 groups a day. Fortunately the delegates and the other instructors were good company and the days went quickly. Trying out facebook for the first time and so far so good.
12th September 2011
Last week for 3 days, (6th, 7th & 8th) Dave Cornish booked me to help him improve his climbing, especially his lead climbing. I have known Dave for about a year and he had recently passed his Climbing Wall Award. (I was his assessor). It rained on the Tuesday, 6th so we ended up indoors at...
12th September 2011
Friday and Saturday (9th, 10th) I was working for Michael Downey of Life Changing Activities. They say variety is the spice of life and this week was turning out to be extremely varied. Friday Michael had 4 instructors at the pinnacle area of Symonds Yat treating 30 delegates from an IT company...
8th September 2011
During one of my last days in the Alps I decided to explore the rocky central peak in this picture. The big slabs to the left I had already climbed with friends several years ago. After I had been scrambling and climbing for about 2/3 hours i realised I couldn't get back down the same way. I...
5th September 2011
Im back in the UK after a very eventfull trip to the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range. I attempted to solo the South Ridge of The Noire but had to give up after 2000 feet. I had a very good 2 day forecast so decided to try it before I was fit enough. I slept at the start of the ridge and...
20th August 2011
Hi anyone whos reading this. The drive down from the U K to Italy was pretty uneventfull unless you count the monday evening that I spent near chamonix with two old friends Rob and Tim. We drank too much and laughed till we ached, it was good to get away from them.
On Wednesday I walked and...
15th August 2011
After a busy week and weekend I'm finally getting ready for the Alps. The ferry is at 10pm and I'm hopefully joining up with Rob and Tim for food and beer in Chamonix on Tuesday evening to celebrate my birthday which is on Thursday. On Wednesday I shall be heading through the Mont Blanc tunnel...
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12th August 2011
A busy week so far, Saturday and Sunday with the SWMC on Gower teaching improvised rescue, great fun but rain on Sunday saw us sneaking indoors to Dynamic Rock. We almost took over the entire centre but customers and staff were very forgiving. Monday saw me at the Yat teaching a young lady from...
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We asked Tony to take us to a local climbing area and show us how to make the transition from indoors to outdoors. He did that and much more besides. He's a massively knowledgeable, fun, calm and supportive instructor. We will book him again for sure and thoroughly recommend him. All in all it was a truely magical day.
Sally & Reg
Book a climbing course with Tony and get a 10% discount at Banana Fingers online shop
Tony is sponsored by Sub Zero Technology
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10th August 2013
SPA training Wye Valley
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27th July 2013
CWA training
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15th June 2013
SPA assessment
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11th June 2013
CWLA training
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25th May 2013
SPA assessment Wye Valley
