4×4 training and Beaconeering

After a great night catching up with friends I hadn’t seen for 4 months, I got up with a sore head and went 4×4 training with the team. Getting some practice on icy track was good fun, although some dryt stone walls were nearly hurt.

We called in at pen y ceunant cafe on snowdon for free brews. A very welcoming place, and for the uni crew I used to climb with who lived there. A return visit will be quite surreal, as the place has been overhauled. I’ll get a link up when I am on the computor.

Anyway after training I headed to the wall for some plastic pulling. My word it has gotten hard. Both llion and katie burnt me off, so time for some secret training!

I also vaguely remember agreeing to attempt the llanberis triathalon last night. I was even offered a bike! Hopefully everyone was drunker than me!

Winter Walking, Mountaineering and Climbing Courses

Intro To Winter Mountaineering Courses

Well shortly after Christmas I am starting my winter campaign, many years ago I started my Winter Mountain Leader Qualification, sadly I have never finished the number of ‘Scottish’ Winter Days to come back for the assessment. As part of that process I am looking for clients to guide out on the hill and help turn them into solid winter walkers, mountaineers and climbers.

These days out could occur in Wales but preferably Scotland, and I can cover anything from Basic cramponing and Ice axe skills for simple walking though to managing steep winter terrain, as well as the basics of avalanche awareness, not to mention a chance for you to brush up on your navigation skills. If you’d like to come out for a day or maybe more, then please contact me via the Snowdonia Mountain Guides website.

Snowdon Horseshoe in amazing Winter Condition

I am although not certified at present I am currently insured through Perkin’s Slade for these activities, and I would love to take you out on the hill for free but despite not being qualified I believe that I will give you a very enjoyable, safe and educational day out. I have about ten years of winter mountaineering experience, both in the UK and further a field; I have been an active volunteer for the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team for the past few years rescuing folk both in summer and winter conditions; and on top of this I am a very active summer mountaineering instructor and climbing coach.

So in exchange for a daily rate that YOU decide, I will meet you up North, and teach you the skills you need to become an independent Scottish Winter Mountaineer, and if you don’t like the service or feel you didn’t learn anything then you can have your money back.

Crib Coch in immaculate winter condition.
Crib Coch - Snowdonia - In immaculate winter conditiond

Social Media

I picked this up off a tweet from someone who was following the brenin's feed. Made me chuckle!

Well, whilst I was away I spent some time reading a bit about utilising social media for market a business. So in order to try and bring this site and Snowdonia Mountain Guides out of the Naughties and into the elevenses? (Anyone know the nickname for the next decade yet?)

So I have been moving a few things around and looking at new features for the website. I have decided to start a podcast, as I thought for some things have the possibility of a audio or video might enhance the experience. Inparticular I am keen to get a few rope rescue, coaching and instructing videos up on the site. The link to the podcast is in the right margin near the bottom. I have also been tweeting, and the feed for that is on the top right. My address is verticallife so please follow me.

I have also added the Like this button for facebook, if like myself you spend too much of your life on Facebook, then my hope is that if you like a post you can share it with your friends on there. Anyway, if you have any feedback on these new things or any ideas for podcasts (What would would you like to learn?), then you can click on the comment button below.

Life in the Horizontal!

5 times zones in Three Days. My body clock is about as fried as has eve been. I am now in Bournemouth visiting my mum and brothers, and my head is in pieces. I am hoping that a good nights sleep will help. Other than that there is very little climbing to be had down here over the next few days. Although I think some friends have mentioned that they might be keen!