We went on a bit of a new exploration today around our local mountain ‘Yr Elen’. It was slightly overcast as we set out from Bethesda, but incredibly warm still. This was after a delightful slow Sunday ‘al fresco’ breakfast at The Cottage sunshine of course. There are very few times, hiking in Snowdonia where short Read more

Given the tropical conditions across North Wales, it felt a bit weird getting ice axes and crampons packed in preparation for next weeks expedition away. After an exhausting, but productive day working ‘behind the scenes’ sorting the logistics and paperwork of various forthcoming expeditions, there was still just enough time to enjoy the three-star classic climb Read more

I had to be in Llandudno this morning for a day of meetings, expedition packing, and preparations. I’ve always wondered if I’d be able to cycle there and now that I’ve got a decent bike, I decided (a bit spur of the moment), to give it a go and commute in by peddle power. I Read more

I can’t remember such a great spell of weather up here in North Wales. At 7:00pm it was still plenty warm enough to be heading off to the river to cool down. The initial shock of diving in felt much colder than earlier in the week, but once in, I swam for nearly ten minutes Read more

The rock on the west face of Tryfan was radiating heat this evening! Not a cloud to be seen and temperatures still in the twenties. I didn’t have much time, but thanks to the close proximity of The Cottage, I was able to get some time both in the sun and on the rock. It took Read more

Having spent years climbing all over the cliffs of Ogwen and Idwal, I can barely remember a time with such idyllic conditions. We hiked up late in the afternoon and had the whole mountain to ourselves. The temperature was so warm that I climbed without a shirt and we didn’t see or feel a single midge! Read more