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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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.

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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...

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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.

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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.

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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'...

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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...

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