I was doing a bit of ropework training in the slate quarry on Thursday evening. Between some heavy showers, the light was fantastic.

I was just checking through some rescue techniques and refreshing my skills as this summers climbing expedition is going to be even more ‘far from help’ than our usual alpine adventures.

As the sun set, it was super to watch a climber being chased by the shadows up the steep back wall.

There was an incredible stormy sunset, but it didn’t look so good through the lens.

Over Friday and Saturday, I e been assessing a group doing their Bronze DofE along the north wales path. Day one was freezing cold up on the hill, but the views were good. I looked so cold when I arrived at the cafe in Aber, the owner gave me a free coffee!

The weekend involved some nice checkpoints, by the river and I was even able to get the e-bike from The Cottage to zip around on Saturday which made things loads easier.

The weather has been all over the place with temperatures up and down by the hour. A huge hail storm blocked the drains briefly on Sunday morning!

There was just enough of a weather window on Sunday for some outdoor climbing with my students (at this time of year I don’t let them go indoors if possible!). I had a brilliant group who are progressing on to ‘lead climbing’ and station become independent climbers.

This means I had to hang about to check their rope work and safety skills.

I also put the rope up for some other students, on routes I’d not climbed in a while.

Then after a lot of clipping bolts, I took them up a bigger classic ‘trad’ climb, which was steeper and involved them having to remove the protection.

Bus Stop Quarry Climbs:

• The jagged Face, 4a
• The Big Easy, 4b
• Equinox, VS, (4c)**
• Captain Finn, 4a