As part of the assessment process of becoming a Mountain Leader in the UK, all candidates have to show a high level of proficiency in mountain navigation. This is assessed during both daylight and night-time conditions, in all weathers. With Lukes’ assessment booked for a few weeks time, he was keen to get out and… Read more

Clouds lifted this evening on my way back to The Cottage to reveal a stunning scene of fresh snow all glowing pink in the evening light. Views like this are good for the soul and just one of the reasons we live here.  Read more

A thaw has begun at lower levels, but up high in the mountains, winter still reigns. To stay out of the worst of the weather, we opted to make an ascent of Elidr Fawr. The upper Machlyn Reservoir had no ice it at all, but the lower, smaller one was partially frozen and even had a few icebergs… Read more

Back up at Aberfalls this morning, the thaw was starting to set in, so any ambitions of climbing ‘the big one’ were put on hold for another twenty years! It was still amazing to watch, especially when some huge chunks of ice crashed down! As a consolation prize, I took my small team of students to… Read more

Finally succumbed to the effects of crossing both the Pacific and Atlantic in a weekend! Rest has been required. The weather has remained ferocious and we have remained tired, so we spent a local day, enjoying some short walks from The Cottage. Down in the relative shelter of the valley, we kept warm while checking… Read more

I could barely be further from the Hawaiian beaches of a few days ago. I’ve been busy ever since we arrived back, which has meant that I’d not had time to be jet lagged. I was planning on a relaxing day today, but how could I refuse an early morning call from Tim, to join him… Read more