For many the Facebook generations is a double edged sword, to share or not to share that is the question. If you don’t want to have everyone knowing your business, then don’t get involved. I like it though and today is a perfect example of the wonders that it can bring, yesterday I posted that I was wanting to head out and slap up some grade I gullies.
A friend put me in touch with their friend and we headed out to Hidden Gully at the back of Cwm Cniefion. A lovely grade I/II high up in the cwm with someone who I have met briefly once before during my time on the BMC national council. Dr David Hillbrandt one of the brains behind the diploma in Mountain Medicine and BMC medical advisor.
After his warning that he wasn’t very quick on the mountain we had a lovely day ticking two gullies before he decided to head down Y Gribin and I went back down another gully before ascending the fourth of the day.
Dave pace was great as for once in my life I don’t think I broke a sweat on the walk in, other than to race forward to get a snap or two and to sneak a peak at a line I am interested in trying, sadly it is not in just yet.
Dave is quite an inspirational person to be on the hill with, as anyone who knows him will, well know. He is also a very interesting person to chat to and we had some great conversations about altitude research and the chapter in my book, to which he kindly sad he was interested in reading. He also picked my brains about what I do as a Mountaineering Instructor and Climbing Coach with a MSc in Applied Sports Science.
Above all though, it was fantastic day out with someone whom I would have probably never climbed with and turned out to be fascinating company for a few easy routes in great condition. A reminder to me that in my hast when I am out on my own or with my peers that when your head down and balls out walking you miss much of the beauty that we all enjoy.
Topping out into the sun twice, stomping up near perfect neve (although to be honest it is a bit sugary, but still a delight to ascend) and climbing three little gullies I have never done before was a great way to spend the day. Hidden Gully is perhaps one of the most interesting of its grade despite its length, the enclosed tunnel like feature is outstanding.
