Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Peak District, Wales and back to Lakes

This week has been busy in a mixture of weather terrain and driving. I was working with Bull Expeditions in the Peak District planning a Greenland Trip with CCHS for 2010. Then working with Proactive Development and Simon McElroy in North Wales. A great trip over Snowdon in some very cold conditions on the summit then down to finish the day at LLanberis. Climbing was awesome and the Port Merrion day magaical. A fantastic busy full week with a great group. I also had a meeting on the way North with Laurence at Seren Ventures. Then back up to the Lakes for the Spring Nav4 weekend. I had a very strong group of Adventure Racers and runners. Mixed weather and night navigation saw some big smiles on all concerned faces. A busy time for me but very rewarding. Time now to spend a bit of time with Sarah and Keela.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Snowshoeing in France





A busy week of week of snowshoeing with Tara in France staying with most aminable host Phill Jarrett of British Snowshoe Tours. It was his birthday while we were out there and celebrated in style. Chamonix is expensive at the moment due to exchange rate. £5 for a beer!!

A great week with the weather being warmer than the UK but made the avalanche forecast a bit higher. We were out for four days recce-ing routes and one dy on cross country skis. One day we snowshoed up to 2000 mtrs then donned blades and skied back down, rather like beginners on mountainering boots!! My OMM Villan rucsac and Ultra waistbelt coped brilliantly with all the carrying needs of all the different tools needed during the week.
I then worked the weekend with Ben Keen and Bishop Wordsworth School on their D of E Gold Training in Patterdale Cumbria. A complete mixture of weather tested all involved, a great group and I wish them the best of luck on their final expedition.