tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85641807846838133642024-03-21T14:03:29.970-07:00DAVE BROWNOutdoor Activity Instructor and Sports Coach.
Climbing, Mountaineering, Kayaking and Multi Sport in the UK and WorldwideDave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-81287709787999241082010-07-04T06:17:00.000-07:002010-07-04T06:24:18.132-07:00Coasteering<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Yesterday, spent the day with a group of Dutch journalists visiting North Wales, on a Visit Wales initiative so that they can experience the diversity of what North Wales has to offer the tourist. Part of this was to experience adventure activities, one of which was Coasteering.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So, took them to Porth Rhufydd and immersed them in the waters and swell that was offered by the weather. A nice sunny day, quite breezy and quite a few groups in also enjoying the day on the coast.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It was quite an eye opener for the Journalists, as most of their coastline is nothing like ours and definately not as rugged or swell bound. However, all came away having enjoyed it - or at least that is what they said - lets hope they write the same!!</span></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-63663252509772042882010-06-28T14:51:00.000-07:002010-07-04T07:19:28.934-07:00Springtime Adventures<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Mid May saw me renewing my Beach Lifeguard for the 4th time, in my old haunt, Pembrokeshire and passing it too.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNLc13plWp1RkJTUFotWSgltvyerf1r0hDcZAeXKSablCFLpP-gBht4nLlGYCUbQ2Y8M9CHVIe3XKRERIY67Akbt-NrN2ATiGtgtuFw1aYZ7pc0yln2FkgygkYWfPvDTRZPX7F5Ivkq8/s320/lifeguard.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490054446004391906" style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 200px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then on return to North Wales it was time to do a quick unpack - repack. This time in readiness for 2 weeks of Scottish Sea Kayaking with Joint Services.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So after a few days warm up and skilling around Ballachulish we headed off to the Outer Hebrides, aiming for a trip from Bara to Lewis.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Xm1FlYiX5u57bflRxHvOXXJaEUYBFYOPRpXJzWBNEg4kdAGwTitE5Gg_JBphaZcQnG-JTWzI9rq2Yf2icgJKnHlH5hfF8ZmEEIYCmIlmsCrh5ExkWX3k0Qg5NFP44XnEWxaIUxrpf2o/s320/PICT0094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490044227859942178" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6m_QcQTDc-7o50XmqPrmKsVQiJZOLhyphenhyphenHIwm4ShXBEOZXs2EzGd6qyYPxMrESpyUNeumcqbD7E6W6VWOpPf_ZfuJqZmZuavrHrNXFyT5nG_5IaWwwiV0IVS4LVwfVerMca9tc_V3BGLuo/s320/PICT0009.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490042021638613074" /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdn5iMGNLgtatEzmacuVzyn1FzuHkcDS-h6VsbURR_hTwmvgqyq7Hr0v2XbSjrjUMtnpsIKdEjzMpwjBMCS0K95GQbgI4P-WDUuekH69oK55YMrZ3EznoJR12F5R6p8ZQmcZNStVjt6Ng/s320/PICT0186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490044783599653938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl_KgNttX1LO-ESBR5f1nwwx9eh-xoxCvov2Wyg0D1klYamoXxpWdqQgsQ1mv6ktqHofwY3ayZPACk27Ns4PmIAQ4i8ZgZpelz-Ax2YGpNopSzWAWiYk6DIODr4JApj9zQtvHYWc_ilI/s320/PICT0227.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490045125178631138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6XszY42aFEIjS7pZZkwwa1Kw8QRwxHfL8vhg_BfON5c-5PsACNN9y8RHwgLTu7LobJE4xeWSltjN9qgxGKk3k8uyqLviDM0Wf2eElqeQzR0SjUNQYloz4ODB-vS6lyNjc9uRqBjS7oA/s320/PICT0096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490055249186340402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">Upon my return back to North Wales, it was once again a quick turn around on kit as the next stop was Switzerland for some Mountain Biking and Italy for some cragging and Alpine Mountaineering. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4CFWWT_2auj8A7T5LPquBUi6RclVpIgxaNKg_rybEYqw74KykUisraPDFeDGahR00-8cF-41iR9tG71KGzkxz52DyKaEUH5hDKR8ZeKIyxnmqQ9XBLos0yusZrTptp-rh_rwfrN2puU/s320/PICT0288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490047069462140258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwnPsGZCE89nFMj4bTCbjtNZIN1N7bJlci6A0LS9QCGtdaVvvwFtuVFHiJ5dHOd-4mZMZJ4fWJpYjORDMCKb2Hy1vNc9wHT8ShMjHPs0P49qItxBI2WRpMb2tV5v67U9Nam8EGMqTwzs/s320/PICT0295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490047397299901842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKojEgRhshjZHycmgnYd5aJ8kcsnRnxtuhS7WYnyjYpZrvBnHqiDVMM2g7mGZ9v7Es0QpQyHOIYFPSndpLD0mjCpRmhwM4bFX0LgRAK9Mujod-dsCrNuzZExfnEg65zrxWaKKQovIBd8/s320/PICT0327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490047919347809282" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN150hFcW1uuXQwoetRICQq9_SLLzJNomKjR31XvE1A3Jx3fe9kOB6zIP2vjDTjviGQFLea2R4ab-OWMcDnNykwlHOtz-sGS_gtpQSFb2jbPNwEZSiOJF0izYzrBdzsApbY5PbgB2pUt0/s320/PICT0357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490048344943933730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZNMBTFIIjx4hB2ZXIM3CeE95gAoIJhQArk0zwu3fa7ZZ1585mus9zO3lEtSuwW3Yj_uge3z9IkNLzEaxfO78QiCNwBAz0RwXqBnGKQ6d3d6xCQ9cBkxlm8Csb3P8k6YWdrAhZkkVjHA/s320/PICT0365.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490048672426380642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuoJEzocY7yXvg2WA7gRoQtNPGALZeJcqFngcIzkovidqWTYLunWfCmg4FPSVmvMlXP0iY-B0R95e-LUYpFdrHwmFIHmZx6CgbBacGGfXEg5dUrV3JGaJjKrpQYoGnWwJ_4Bxr3B3aUs/s320/PICT0384.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490049074068543746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">After a quick ascent of the Gran Paradiso it was time to head back to Wales again to direct an SPA Assessment for some clients.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dSHeqTwdhHyYgrDZ5DeyVHuwxYfM0P4GpghPeERZ8wuw0MoPFV-Mx8PBSNf42TpkmJerIHuEZ71MS4coNSdGI0ZCt9sfHbTKIvDXs1CmYA1ruNZ1BGObII-DJXa71F3pdPOwRzGE5fo/s320/PICT0421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490049534934903506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;">Holyhead mountain and Wiley's Crags were the venues for the two days and all clients performed brilliantly and passed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Last week was spent running a series of Sea Kayak courses for a very keen group of staff from a company based in Lancashire. We got staff through 3 star Sea Kayak, 4 star Sea Kayak Trg, Coastal Navigation and Tidal Planning, and a 4 star Sea Kayak Leader Assessment. The week was blessed with some amazing weather and some nice sections of the Anglesey Coast were paddled.</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0t_0BENmeFmtgitsgyYjv_fxf-ZDM4pbmtgV-9aHj5hCSprXFD4br8ix1-3G4-suxc0TB0J9uXvRTKygwIC2k6WX9nvgxMaStuyBZkuQiWO1kse_Z-RKmrzZru0ORneJ7EW2JnWCAADQ/s320/PICT0446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490050160366497394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8jwzTjRGAm64fWfDqoa0V52xGERHepKzksqTLLCZgitjZ01wCN_kcvyp77-vsYszhVhNgmWLqleJ8IgKy6V_v5ojnx0XRQMU8g87-f6uooPOmKQsM94C5AGhgjVTrYIJtlzKLB0Eawg4/s320/PICT0469.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490051027643744850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgICevs2v_2p0AyvEQ8QhPlQacHVhq0tSHHuv5IR2nVqbCqztgJXD10qhXOdLWgX6GaPDGNKFAJXEuvrXaWh6Lb5dTUP_6r9YFxpYgH_qWFd9Xg8qt845H4RYpn7vJ-cjSNCTGA6v1gOtI/s320/PICT0426.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490052935089538450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sxRocwA8xhQ8OPIW4zNuyzl66E7RCnY2BDvwRgFTTo2bK01bG0-0sEIov-QrM9gGEdRaA2sH0dG3vtY8dMAR7RWMLKGnzNVA0GhnKoG2iXA8F8gvUxh95r3d9T8Ye4Ogz8CGHymW664/s320/PICT0437.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490053349733291506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqt-Ubux_SK7IS8t_gqKaZ7g9CNnQTQWmbrpWpfB9qdNTe2O2UQvRBe8q1j0KAhpo293eQ3B9p6pHdFMPUnpaSqH7R8xPS9ig9YJfUgfx3EUm6eEw24LOLtleE9TodbeB6jXznulQFzg/s320/PICT0458.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490053730521148386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-33159762889002669622010-05-01T06:00:00.000-07:002010-05-01T06:11:49.432-07:00Switzerland<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Earlier this week i was out testing and reviewing two sea kayaks for a future edition of a magazine on sale later this year. Nice boats and average conditions for testing.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This last few days i have been in Switzerland doing some updating and skills coaching for some folks and instructors at a prestigious and well known Independent College in Switzerland. We paddled a local river at grade 3-4 in glorious alpine sunshine in beautiful meadowed valley. The following day we spent at their local flat water venue, doing skills etc.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">However, heading back to the UK now for a few days and then busy again towards the middle and end of the week observing a 5 Star Sea course towards my A5 Development and then running a Coasteering Training Day for Staff of a company i tech advise for.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then, off to my old haunt, Pembrokeshire for a week of renewing my NARS Beach Lifeguard Qualification. Lots of timed swims, sprints, towing and surf. Cold sea at the moment though!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Then later in May i'm off to Scotland for Sea Kayak Symposium work for the Military. Expeditioning and exploring parts of the West Coast of Scotland for a ten day block of paddling. I hope the weather is good and the midges are on holiday somewhere else.</span></div><div><br /></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-29480036149468602192010-04-27T03:22:00.000-07:002010-04-27T03:45:24.162-07:00Film Safety on the Straits with the CoastguardI spent the early part of Sunday with the Coastguard from Penmon, as they were being filmed for a documentary about the working folks of the Menai Straits. My role: to keep the camera man safe!!<div><br /></div><div>There are some photos below</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUaoOupQtr1LJPz6fPhlHZygTX0tJXx67_Hr76_OawUualQ7BnWLuUnKVWzuXMK52zJDenKPasbYziztYG-TbfTITmCqKcCm1Ggpia9d8Ht1JuEaeLCcdJjf6NNuYJ15UaiFfuxboxdo/s1600/P4220315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUaoOupQtr1LJPz6fPhlHZygTX0tJXx67_Hr76_OawUualQ7BnWLuUnKVWzuXMK52zJDenKPasbYziztYG-TbfTITmCqKcCm1Ggpia9d8Ht1JuEaeLCcdJjf6NNuYJ15UaiFfuxboxdo/s320/P4220315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464764930523521618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWuO_hJ8PmPC_fQ9YL_Dh6qM4PBA4XPVFeZj1lbelMAQyruKUHU5ovaO7hyphenhyphenQAz0sUZHcbOFHZp6OKZRfWk2ftIOXnY_gXw-LCycAtfC49HKo3YVlk1eXKbiDmxAxjsTO40jnVrsawAL4/s1600/P4220314.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWuO_hJ8PmPC_fQ9YL_Dh6qM4PBA4XPVFeZj1lbelMAQyruKUHU5ovaO7hyphenhyphenQAz0sUZHcbOFHZp6OKZRfWk2ftIOXnY_gXw-LCycAtfC49HKo3YVlk1eXKbiDmxAxjsTO40jnVrsawAL4/s320/P4220314.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464764929472565122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfRJMygvyXiF4iseUK4s4wZJ48UhniL1XZrt9adUED0w89JX83XvA5qbsu6HCdwAtccQ00iIfDVLv19A_WEg6ZV9egV5b1UhedMs7cK35MQpMCkpfdaM3R5lM0YJ1NaCgDEI612foJdk/s1600/P4220322.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfRJMygvyXiF4iseUK4s4wZJ48UhniL1XZrt9adUED0w89JX83XvA5qbsu6HCdwAtccQ00iIfDVLv19A_WEg6ZV9egV5b1UhedMs7cK35MQpMCkpfdaM3R5lM0YJ1NaCgDEI612foJdk/s320/P4220322.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464764361217197106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Casualty care - transported on the roof!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Then Sunday afternoon was spent picking up some new Sea Kayaks to review for a national magazine. The reviews will be about in May, June or July. Nice boats though.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Its still not quite the same as going ski touring in Switzerland for a few weeks, which was the original plan for this 3 week period - Volcanos hey!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Still i get to go out to Switzerland on Wednesday, for a few days work though instead of play. Next year.</div><br /><div><br /></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-9897175268594964942010-03-05T02:11:00.000-08:002010-03-05T05:40:01.377-08:00Combat Skiing!<div style="text-align: left;">Got back to North Wales last night having just spent the past 5 days out in Chamonix, off piste skiing, touring and Combat Skiing through the trees with Nick and Stu!!</div><div style="text-align: left;">Did a few interesting things like the Combe de al Noire, Italian side of the Valley Blanche from Col de Flambe near Point Helbronner in beautiful blue skies, had a day on the Crouches - Berard Traverse in some poor light and weather conditions that brightened up late afternoon. We also had a day heading off the back of the Brevent towards the Col d'Antere with some interesting skiing back down the Gorge towards Plan Jour.</div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf8hWLr2Oraj1tRnu4YCu7RuEY4sdKAAeBkBLk1xO_fRZbRsmVPWmbZNUkST1_nmBOfJFTbb2tb8yFyATs52c0vKmL6io7pcemjePQf9duS0jCP9i0lHVVa_oUz48zI_dsh9ZsZ5Qw2k/s320/DSC00379.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445093950493715842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nick at Col de Flambe looking towards Point Helbronner.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXienFJRfFQuoh6OeZn12e6OxqdffZNIG0vt3lEpmod4Rq6om63bmf8JoyKjJ3XvbHACJsnLfmtWgF-v2JvT9TdHN6KMTLi8Fq7HytvrV6HbxnEwgdIHuOS2_w-3D1yjSCqcZKQBZKTw/s1600-h/DSC00381.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMXienFJRfFQuoh6OeZn12e6OxqdffZNIG0vt3lEpmod4Rq6om63bmf8JoyKjJ3XvbHACJsnLfmtWgF-v2JvT9TdHN6KMTLi8Fq7HytvrV6HbxnEwgdIHuOS2_w-3D1yjSCqcZKQBZKTw/s320/DSC00381.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445096286222938978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Looking towards Col d'Antere from Brevent</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Below are some photos from Scotland last month.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpyOLxW-0QBqmTKZYUHFZe-a8ecz2YJKpb8vxyp8440qhk6x821mpnuVvyETY3LnSCs276-HNdsojoZoooERVjf4GGzgqbk99NtMnoSpbp9vPJ3pJYtmY1dRNkNch8HT_a33RMgfrFIc/s1600-h/DSC00338.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqpyOLxW-0QBqmTKZYUHFZe-a8ecz2YJKpb8vxyp8440qhk6x821mpnuVvyETY3LnSCs276-HNdsojoZoooERVjf4GGzgqbk99NtMnoSpbp9vPJ3pJYtmY1dRNkNch8HT_a33RMgfrFIc/s320/DSC00338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445101444945816418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Carn Mor Dearg Arete and the Ben seen from Aonach Mor</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmJssysc98jG2TGssDzPLNbIPxoIb4fIelLY20RyZ3ftjxeojVeMYQWQpX9gq4awQ0ZWGatHlO_-pXd-QVXEbQfRamyCb2jrAKdpDO2C9ia5q3up4Yn3azW1fQtmRK9cNv_9w-b5b7tk/s1600-h/DSC00346.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicmJssysc98jG2TGssDzPLNbIPxoIb4fIelLY20RyZ3ftjxeojVeMYQWQpX9gq4awQ0ZWGatHlO_-pXd-QVXEbQfRamyCb2jrAKdpDO2C9ia5q3up4Yn3azW1fQtmRK9cNv_9w-b5b7tk/s320/DSC00346.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445102139545401746" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The early morning walk into Creag Meagidh at Sunrise</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsQWYcRcFoDs5nJg6qSNz8MNlbxZe6CgRIk1dvZmFRVvpK8quNH7e_Rc7WM27ydN3wSrBlAnO7EAVdYwJVi5H2d-9ucQmIWdylINcvJX_h0FDx5yl0obEyXUGB9C8KGvzG_38cagbh3E/s1600-h/P2090286.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsQWYcRcFoDs5nJg6qSNz8MNlbxZe6CgRIk1dvZmFRVvpK8quNH7e_Rc7WM27ydN3wSrBlAnO7EAVdYwJVi5H2d-9ucQmIWdylINcvJX_h0FDx5yl0obEyXUGB9C8KGvzG_38cagbh3E/s320/P2090286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445103047215572306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKO3hPDemkxj0mZeAlINOKlB8eH8zBY9FreaRDsYv4Bb7dJrY0gxeOhKUGkwKvSXodYcqraK8XC1jFNjNUKtHmv-lJiMjKWU7yr1lW-gIDFsbSJcwKMDFw3647un0VheBC3bQj7y0e9g/s1600-h/P2090287.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKO3hPDemkxj0mZeAlINOKlB8eH8zBY9FreaRDsYv4Bb7dJrY0gxeOhKUGkwKvSXodYcqraK8XC1jFNjNUKtHmv-lJiMjKWU7yr1lW-gIDFsbSJcwKMDFw3647un0VheBC3bQj7y0e9g/s320/P2090287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445104013436190738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">Paul Leading the first pitch of Ritchie's Gully in Creag Meagidh</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1epeg1lRYzzMD5LE78GZQzBDXOdXzfq-zfIKiGXo29cFyMnAyZK4yBvcITYsTHLHsp7oqy8_ePTQXSAMJBTgR2CVdt5wROlYSrFunYviFhd7FvfhgTgfHsXIBTgoLTfQUrv2dhyY1vc/s1600-h/P2100369.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1epeg1lRYzzMD5LE78GZQzBDXOdXzfq-zfIKiGXo29cFyMnAyZK4yBvcITYsTHLHsp7oqy8_ePTQXSAMJBTgR2CVdt5wROlYSrFunYviFhd7FvfhgTgfHsXIBTgoLTfQUrv2dhyY1vc/s320/P2100369.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445104838661529106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me leading on the NW classic, Emerald Gully on Beinn Dearg</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKisdLLMZ-gIO6FpM9g0jbc7pZ1zSvY9lw3FpxK8drqnAxHAjjyp76G1fxeUoA1UNeCl1A6EsXPHJ3OpamzxTgd7NcvnlbtvjY0jaUBC4blZ0xaNGqDdaoVcj8O2jSzuMuvWstZSrc2s/s1600-h/P2100404.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKisdLLMZ-gIO6FpM9g0jbc7pZ1zSvY9lw3FpxK8drqnAxHAjjyp76G1fxeUoA1UNeCl1A6EsXPHJ3OpamzxTgd7NcvnlbtvjY0jaUBC4blZ0xaNGqDdaoVcj8O2jSzuMuvWstZSrc2s/s320/P2100404.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445105646503042226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Topping out of Emerald Gully and sorting the ropes, the top of Penguin Gully off to the left</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRk8BzBQoSz9A53tB6i_PvyVSr5kYU1SLzHzfeuP5DXhkJl0mz_vg76rcPvC_YpDLTW2wU9uhoDo7dwU3PBcJvQy7QCAw9L9pH3mXJhkSX5-ajJuuRRwKxN73oyvfAgUqflcsR4RzA3k/s1600-h/DSC00351.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRk8BzBQoSz9A53tB6i_PvyVSr5kYU1SLzHzfeuP5DXhkJl0mz_vg76rcPvC_YpDLTW2wU9uhoDo7dwU3PBcJvQy7QCAw9L9pH3mXJhkSX5-ajJuuRRwKxN73oyvfAgUqflcsR4RzA3k/s320/DSC00351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445106299680101090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lots of Snow in Coire an t Snaechda along with not so typical alpine weather!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjknLLxsyhmBwAEfRno5Is9-CqyTrtafGpsktJ8rt2kaqs9VWzZvb6nDLV3Hbxq_7g9y5fN0dKhMfeK5rng2ModutFJD2sEfrwxsP8ZhrnMCRoB32dKy2_4BySrbMJc4SPThtuuzUXkq0/s320/DSC00376.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445143094516177778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">My van buried after the 36hours of constant snowfall, 6 hours of digging later it was free along with all the other cars in the car park.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></span></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-26956610219471370882010-02-28T01:33:00.000-08:002010-02-28T02:08:26.165-08:00Changing Scenes!!So, having just spent the past month in Scotland, with what has to be said, is probably the best year for snow and ice conditions that i will see in my lifetime to having spent 6 hours digging out the cars and car park at Glenmore Lodge on Friday to try and head south.<div>Last weekend and Monday and Tuesday were just incredible, glorious alpine lie days, cold, crisp and clear blue skies, then on Wednesday it turned back to being truly scottish again, Sub-arctic dampness, cold, low visibility with the added bonus of the onset of more snow. And, it hadn't stopped snowing when i managed to get onto the A9 at 1800 on Friday eve. 8 hours later and i had made it back to my home in North Wales, slept for a few hours, dumped all my gear out of the van, had a bit of a re-shuffle of kit, a re-pack and then headed to Liverpool Airport to catch a 1700 flight to Geneva, to head into Chamonix, to visit Nick and have a few days of Alpine ski and Climbing before starting work at the Joint Services Centre next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>Guess what, it's raining in Chamonix!! But it is good to catch up with Nick and earn myself a little mini break.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past month, i have had the chance to climb with some good friends on some routes that were in amazing conditons such as Emerald Gully IV4, Ritchie's Gully IV4, Patey's Route IV4, Finger's Ridge IV4, Wavelength III 4, Milky Way III and so on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lets see what fun the next month will bring with evenings getting lighter already, and various things in the pipeline like a Surf Kayak Symposium in Devon and an Inland Kayak 5 star Training to run, not to mention the work for the Joint Services Centre. Then into late April for 3 weeks of ski touring and climbing in the alps including the Bernese Oberland high level tour.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll mix this up with a few Mountain Leader Training courses and Climbing instructor (SPA and CWA) courses to run and some surf kayaking for myself and trying my best to get around to some of the providers of the National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS) Gold awards for their moderation visits.</div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-59220877899035515222010-01-10T13:54:00.000-08:002010-01-10T14:14:34.801-08:00The Cwm was calling!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I headed out with Ali today again and we were originally bound for the </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Snowdon area, however, the road on the pass had other ideas for Ali's van. </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Snow had been blown onto the road from about the quartz stone corner </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and was succeeding in turning back folks. So with tails between our legs </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and now half an hour behind the crowds, we retreated and headed </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">for Cwm Idwal. Sure enough, it was busy with plenty deep queues on </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">most of the visible ice routes and a few others too. We opted for a little </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">less climbed option, Sub Wall Route (IV) on Idwal Slabs. </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The first pitch was initially a bit of powder swimming, but soon got a </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">little fruity. I took on the second pitch, which proved a bit sparse on gear </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">and solid placements for crampon or axe. Lots of the snow consisted </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">of sugary snow/ice loosely bonded to the slab, mostly with air! There is </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">a nice little step and slab which maintains the interest of the leader. </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Ali stepped up for a more consolidated 3rd pitch and i took on the </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">fourth. I am not sure it is a route i would rush out and repeat, but </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">we did have it to ourselves on a very busy day. </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Maybe that is something to be said of the route we chose??!! </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is Ali stepping out around the undercling at the beginning of the 3rd pitch. </span></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></pre><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:monospace, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPLzDUpqTD6RQ2pJcXydTC2eLqeASBDRnxIS8Lt3PweGmod4VSnxB_WHLAK27QNhpW-eF2LX-XXpyBe5m8QP78MEyfxMrxO5xg1eBtGBLB7PjexoXnh4eCRkTR37dHF6hw1amXYjs2Jg/s320/IMGP0195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425235292537915410" /></span></span></div></span>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-22783097044625641792010-01-09T13:25:00.000-08:002010-01-09T13:34:10.833-08:00Welsh Winter Day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Well, been all over the past few months, running 5 star kayak courses in the Lakes, picked up my </pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">new Surf Kayak from my Sponsor, Surf Kayaking in Morroco, Skiing and ice climbing in the Alps </pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">for a few weeks and lots more, which unfortunately means that i have neglected the Blog.</pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Some pictures to follow soon.</pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Anyway, I was out on Yr Esgair today with Ali Othen, ok conditions, turf not that frozen but</pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">holding enough. It was a bit windy at the notch and a few places further up with some spindrift adding to the feel! Definately a winter route! There were a few other solo folks and parties about, but by no means crowded. We bumped into John and Malcolm from Conway Centre who were headed for The Curver, who looked like they were enjoying it, so, after topping out of Yr Esgair ridge we headed down Easy Gully and headed for The Curver. In agreement with Tim Jepson, it is a bit longer than the 170m in the guide. We bumped in to a party of three on the route who were enjoying their "new experience". Some interesting cornice shapes on the scarp slope at the top of the route and some amazing views in every direction! Lots of windslab on the E and SE aspects on the descent back to Ogwen.</pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><br /></pre><pre style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Back out tommorrow!</pre></span>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-56610669516359772212009-11-07T13:24:00.000-08:002009-11-07T13:48:28.756-08:00Surfing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I have just spent the last two weeks down in Cornwall, Kayak Surfing with the Joint Services of the Military. We had a mix of conditions from real classic surf the first week intermingled with the crowds of school half term! The second week was storm dodging but it meant that the groups visited a variety of breaks to get suitable conditions.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Below is a video clip of a 5 mins grabbed between coaching on a small surf day at Towan, Newquay.</span></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwustLwFcip1C-RBfiDOy6arUVvIIAMdG5-u2OhOyWaEl-e1ZDHhFBAmnIjIWCeBmF2v5S7keZJelZfg2R2aw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Next week i will be working with the Students from Bangor Uni, North Wales, on their practical for kayaking. Loads of water about at the moment, so we should be in for a good week of river running.</span></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-48948835085683932652009-10-24T14:42:00.000-07:002009-10-24T15:20:29.767-07:005 star sea kayak weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ55WyBcVLngNLA9BoF4EAKsHF6VRqzCeLLGo-T7Z6pIodAhrIhq-xca29orYaRfYvcCr3kLMUPiM8nfCn_xXxWbpNAkiMvQ6ckvT5NSR1MpEbQZ6VJpnaMVOuQUnI3zyHvpi4O9yfgE/s1600-h/IMG_8639.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZ55WyBcVLngNLA9BoF4EAKsHF6VRqzCeLLGo-T7Z6pIodAhrIhq-xca29orYaRfYvcCr3kLMUPiM8nfCn_xXxWbpNAkiMvQ6ckvT5NSR1MpEbQZ6VJpnaMVOuQUnI3zyHvpi4O9yfgE/s320/IMG_8639.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396292629904744322" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Last weekend was a chance to observe another L5 A5 Sea Kayak Coach running a 5 star sea kayak leader training, this is for my development as a L5 Sea and towards the A5 status.</div><div>It was a full three days on Anglesey, with a glorious sunny day on the first day, a cloudy two days to follow. The first day being one of those classic days, autumnal, crisp, clear and sunny combined with a trip out to the Skerries combined with a night paddle back.</div><div>The following two days were spent practicing personal skills and rescues in Point Lynas tidal race and then the last day was spent covering the remaining skills in the Straits. Open water navigation was done on all three days to compliment the repertoire of skill development.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPvr6jo_elQeFhxqt1fbwiqwRI4phen0KmE21uf1lZXmsBI4f-Ikx45PkBkSJesEcAvdEQQxeeJ7lJ_i1DQU_d01qfnr4K2qb1uFyMCwRjjnA-UASTcN3lFgr-7pQxa0rR8-4qgLQVVY/s400/DSC05089.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396287663276653458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6w6o_9CGh7QfSMDJOifhD69vKNl-Kcc00o2II08B5sP-eR5v66HMbIZdVVB3yU8_X_obJd3IFwfJbNjNkh8l33bKn_wZu-XSPX8ouROeXgiiHAqBWiavGcma0vN4vunazhrk1tMkhyA/s1600-h/DSC05094.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6w6o_9CGh7QfSMDJOifhD69vKNl-Kcc00o2II08B5sP-eR5v66HMbIZdVVB3yU8_X_obJd3IFwfJbNjNkh8l33bKn_wZu-XSPX8ouROeXgiiHAqBWiavGcma0vN4vunazhrk1tMkhyA/s320/DSC05094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396289381554272354" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I even got a chance to try out the new P&H Cetus MV for 20mins. Nice boat for some one of my skinny stature!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NDk_9Nesrp1g3Lr5wtm4dioCWOUl4PRDC_Db0DjLsw_pB0IJIl202R9vABfLw6c91zBcnhNOpFtl0NNPwStHZAdden8PTgnYmLPlZZCqFfw-TNzzTAVqtCOyN65b-CYeG2238QQcoI8/s1600-h/IMG_8637.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NDk_9Nesrp1g3Lr5wtm4dioCWOUl4PRDC_Db0DjLsw_pB0IJIl202R9vABfLw6c91zBcnhNOpFtl0NNPwStHZAdden8PTgnYmLPlZZCqFfw-TNzzTAVqtCOyN65b-CYeG2238QQcoI8/s320/IMG_8637.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396290228451750098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Z56gUuT_mALEr0NTgylcN4La5AScFQh_oV6RvQZwwemG8fQMPoIOs-YRSFSBwwirXEIXzGkcbQVu-7GBIrhRp0Ye6VNO2J7zslIfY2avhts_QoNdmUvhtu0Fvj6gGlVSJgV5TL-3pi0/s320/IMGP9844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396290796576984002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVJKc60uEPFVabVqlZqQCb0xu3jSGPBtjawQAl-wB6KxoHnMlys_tLdZERnRnjK5di87lz4Le8YDZAdLZXmdhKGmUzOLNPqfe-8v3EMebV4TQZkrO7tkwqTEtGdJItzAoabkJe4Mzlog/s1600-h/IMG_8644.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVJKc60uEPFVabVqlZqQCb0xu3jSGPBtjawQAl-wB6KxoHnMlys_tLdZERnRnjK5di87lz4Le8YDZAdLZXmdhKGmUzOLNPqfe-8v3EMebV4TQZkrO7tkwqTEtGdJItzAoabkJe4Mzlog/s320/IMG_8644.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396291433013035042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir33k-fmIUs9eLVb-gpNRaz1Db9YgGa-5Ps4p2F8pdEVr2gxOFSIAfvO4A24-yeIGZWmH1kg1FtHNdeTdErxY-fSAimy68RzB0QZ1wl98Pw_Nq0Lksll1bfiu6uXbd1jsS9RMwH0tkomQ/s1600-h/IMGP9840.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir33k-fmIUs9eLVb-gpNRaz1Db9YgGa-5Ps4p2F8pdEVr2gxOFSIAfvO4A24-yeIGZWmH1kg1FtHNdeTdErxY-fSAimy68RzB0QZ1wl98Pw_Nq0Lksll1bfiu6uXbd1jsS9RMwH0tkomQ/s320/IMGP9840.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396292112202441666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This week and next i am off to Cornwall for two weeks of Kayak Surfing, and the forecast is for a classic couple of days this week. Can't wait!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I also get to take a few Demo boats down with me from DB Exclusive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-17278408545125269072009-10-10T05:42:00.000-07:002009-10-10T06:11:39.097-07:00Exciting Short Contract<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUJC9_z7Hs7m-qZ6U2Tkp6y85oLt34RYwKRV8tr6OudgVf0FoTFVNhXQsRJT2R2GnBGA9npdp3oTc4zDok67Q3JbQ8Q1vWYZmZPKoSe_Pzlq_PqJzZPJsYKCuFYnC0T8z6lTiYuieGQI/s1600-h/logo.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 90px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUJC9_z7Hs7m-qZ6U2Tkp6y85oLt34RYwKRV8tr6OudgVf0FoTFVNhXQsRJT2R2GnBGA9npdp3oTc4zDok67Q3JbQ8Q1vWYZmZPKoSe_Pzlq_PqJzZPJsYKCuFYnC0T8z6lTiYuieGQI/s400/logo.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390954441932476114" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I received confirmation yesterday that i will be the NNAS Gold Course Moderator/Internal Verifier for the Southern half of the UK, following on from an interview earlier this week.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">This will mean a little bit of travelling around to see providers running the NNAS Gold assessments. Allowing opportunity to feedback to the Chair and the providers on how the award is being administered and delivered.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">With the increase in the uptake of the NNAS awards over the past few years, not just at Gold level, this is an exciting opportunity to be involved with the Verification/Moderation process in one of the first Outdoor Governing Bodies to undertake this process.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Gold is not just about open hill and mountain terrain navigation, it can be undertaken in Forested areas and Moorland, so will certainly provide the chance to see other areas of the UK that i may not have sought out and see how they are used for the awards.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Just booked my Surf Kayak trip to Morocco in December, Tagazhout near Agadir.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;">Can't wait, chance to surf at Anchors, Panoramas, Hash Point, Mysteries etc. Get that little bit of winter sun hopefully before the cold of the winter alps for ice climbing and then immersion in the dampness of the scottish winter until March!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, serif;"><br /></span></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-5920223566045191362009-09-06T04:30:00.000-07:002009-09-06T04:50:14.683-07:00LOCO roundup Sea and Surf Kayak Symposium August 2009<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; font-family:arial, -webkit-fantasy;">Loco Roundup Kayak Symposium USA</span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I have just spent the past week out at the LOCO Kayak Symposium in Washington State, USA. The symposium is organised by Ginni Callaghan of Columbia River Kayaking and Baja Kayak Adventures.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Tucked up in the North West of the lower forty eight states, Puget Island is seated in the Columbia river, and literally a stone’s throw away from the border of Washington and Oregon States. The area is steeped in exploration and Pioneering history with reminders of the native culture, the huge ecological significance and events such as the Lewis and Clark expedition of the 1800’s. The local indigenous language and peoples, the Chinook, were also adventurous and hardy, travelling many miles to seek out food from different water sheds, even having a Salmon named after them.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">On the way to the coast on the south side of the mighty Columbia river is the coastal town of Astoria, home of the US Coastguard Rough Water Training Centre, the Maritime museum and the setting for the famous classic 80’s film, The Goonies. At its widest the Columbia is 8miles across and is a major navigable watercourse allowing cargo ships to make journeys inland to Portland and vice versa as well as being a fantastic fishing venue.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I was privileged enough to be able to surf kayak in some really nice glassy pacific surf at Cannon Beach and Seaside Point, both in Oregon. The highlight of these was definitely surfing 3 foot of glass at Seaside Point with 3 Gray Whales in attendance for the whole day feeding just outside the break line. I also got to paddle Sea Kayak near Cape Disappointment, Washington, amongst other things such as see a Greenland rolling competition for the first time. The weather was great and the people that attended were amazing, brimming with enthusiasm and very welcoming. Thank you all. Unfortunately, I could only stay for a short period of time, and would love to make it back there sometime, as there is more than enough to keep a boater happy for a very long time!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The symposium programme was a very varied one with Ginni organising classes for beginner through to advanced paddlers, single day and multi day programmes and also hosting BCU qualifications and updates for those folks that are part of the BCU North America membership and coaching fraternity. Due to the coaches attending the event to participate and to coach, attendees were able to gain BCU awards from 3 star and four star, sea, surf and canoe to assessor training. A highlight of the symposium in BCU terms was the running of the second UKCC BCU Level 2 course in the USA, providing four new and super keen, trained coaches in the process.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, fantasy;"> <!--StartFragment--> </span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, fantasy;"><p class="MsoNormal">There was a also demonstration of the professional Coastguard services, with the attendance of one of their helicopters, complete with rescue diver, winch-man and a rapid RIB.</p> <!--EndFragment--> </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></p><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia, fantasy;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQy8o8APag2J0xQTe3PPCk8THWXfIhu76Witl8mNix_y4AscC-4vK8lySeCOJO8xmk0qAcXgxXcEdUDXaZiKuhHznz6WlRNVfBaxnF3-m46bKHxvfPfnnkZr-5h3z1wWjvQgVot-Uhp8/s1600-h/IMGP9730.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQy8o8APag2J0xQTe3PPCk8THWXfIhu76Witl8mNix_y4AscC-4vK8lySeCOJO8xmk0qAcXgxXcEdUDXaZiKuhHznz6WlRNVfBaxnF3-m46bKHxvfPfnnkZr-5h3z1wWjvQgVot-Uhp8/s320/IMGP9730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378316988357728178" style="display: block; 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margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></span></span></div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-81759367786342076252009-08-03T10:32:00.000-07:002009-08-03T12:05:15.744-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYCoKclHmJ-xYpTXegmYr8n_b3QINCsraror1rncKsXQfU1ra5VEkDkOSg-rGu6pj_ZAzGagCq5o0PKMWs7T92x78LQ1cvuqYlldCjfay_ZN8qfpc-JG6Ph8W43fCH9sF0CWvgeXVtxQ/s1600-h/IMGP9640.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYCoKclHmJ-xYpTXegmYr8n_b3QINCsraror1rncKsXQfU1ra5VEkDkOSg-rGu6pj_ZAzGagCq5o0PKMWs7T92x78LQ1cvuqYlldCjfay_ZN8qfpc-JG6Ph8W43fCH9sF0CWvgeXVtxQ/s320/IMGP9640.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365815603214190018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2Imq2DKxDJbLD1OPlkvs1nSCLjVfaCoqF82ZDh4PHTEiUGJoCVhJ2R5t4cbpVIG3m7-vxwaMzjb4-UqmRM0Ps_V_1a7Hl_U1sLRsV5MJjk8nVFwGqel1CAvd1PCtKYA_3kGxb1Mo7wg/s1600-h/IMGP9435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV2Imq2DKxDJbLD1OPlkvs1nSCLjVfaCoqF82ZDh4PHTEiUGJoCVhJ2R5t4cbpVIG3m7-vxwaMzjb4-UqmRM0Ps_V_1a7Hl_U1sLRsV5MJjk8nVFwGqel1CAvd1PCtKYA_3kGxb1Mo7wg/s320/IMGP9435.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365814097120903506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYD9ZX67SZdkR7F7ZltQeiywIgTmrhEJIvwS1k07dgtj5SGq7sA57rcTxYKCJkXpEGyP1sRyrV48RCXB3cRwQra-9Lw8KSX9Gswa8oLSkL8JJG5_fEpyWKmJRo-0oYnCIeTLSfAwh59A/s1600-h/IMGP9504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYD9ZX67SZdkR7F7ZltQeiywIgTmrhEJIvwS1k07dgtj5SGq7sA57rcTxYKCJkXpEGyP1sRyrV48RCXB3cRwQra-9Lw8KSX9Gswa8oLSkL8JJG5_fEpyWKmJRo-0oYnCIeTLSfAwh59A/s320/IMGP9504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365813206610848610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz8NvMNDFi0c0H5bEfrE2IX3tLXzIrrMVLescriLodg-bIC0P6w2yKghJ-FJZD3TxNatPkQbJzwMxleUWzVDvtz5OfEb1YeIzZp5bIKEqZp02LRYgixKhJeQCliu6aBb9Pms7a1KOc2M/s1600-h/IMGP9389.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz8NvMNDFi0c0H5bEfrE2IX3tLXzIrrMVLescriLodg-bIC0P6w2yKghJ-FJZD3TxNatPkQbJzwMxleUWzVDvtz5OfEb1YeIzZp5bIKEqZp02LRYgixKhJeQCliu6aBb9Pms7a1KOc2M/s320/IMGP9389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365812590474470514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNw2wbODKvaR3-Q8MnNOvY_NOm9MXJJ2WYKfQ7e64xr-E8-xCniDnPlwjbAO4qHlOLkTygxBTu0tVd1ApGvtnEfhr4K2PHsoEGmvBLirXkwZPQFN2s__-hVNv2bnB2pdRQ5M354HPambg/s1600-h/IMGP9363.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNw2wbODKvaR3-Q8MnNOvY_NOm9MXJJ2WYKfQ7e64xr-E8-xCniDnPlwjbAO4qHlOLkTygxBTu0tVd1ApGvtnEfhr4K2PHsoEGmvBLirXkwZPQFN2s__-hVNv2bnB2pdRQ5M354HPambg/s320/IMGP9363.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365812185523537458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK73SVn7IAurW2c8iV6CATXCT9Oi3aeB9ZaWEkdQ2KWW4zJygDhjSAwlmQIBkRqzHiLjdm1qm5Xyzborwcjc1uIndCAvyTfygKs8Bv1IAxLtWxGuhfFgck8ruXx-KJ8ZQsL7_RJN3oHbQ/s1600-h/IMGP8947.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK73SVn7IAurW2c8iV6CATXCT9Oi3aeB9ZaWEkdQ2KWW4zJygDhjSAwlmQIBkRqzHiLjdm1qm5Xyzborwcjc1uIndCAvyTfygKs8Bv1IAxLtWxGuhfFgck8ruXx-KJ8ZQsL7_RJN3oHbQ/s320/IMGP8947.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803686931949986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePXu2pjHm8jdMw9XZaKl_XLDl_pDH6UXpghAJOcwIOBSdLwPtVSOp2uaAO2P6A9GmcGGZwq9digkjnwwe4YOpI1EPxA2H4paDhX_9clt-pFI71P_iaXHAQjyoCfJB9UTBw-nh2-ZO5Fk/s1600-h/IMGP8815.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePXu2pjHm8jdMw9XZaKl_XLDl_pDH6UXpghAJOcwIOBSdLwPtVSOp2uaAO2P6A9GmcGGZwq9digkjnwwe4YOpI1EPxA2H4paDhX_9clt-pFI71P_iaXHAQjyoCfJB9UTBw-nh2-ZO5Fk/s320/IMGP8815.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365803196237094674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvpE4G2eeMy_xdyCQH0V_XDkhwSEG_WVrJeZgbxsE3VGsJ0TOUG68H45A_VN2utzXanT05ZmD7fmsiFizt5GT-jzZ8ZHJ5cgFkC6jSEdgorZzGsuQWDPWHb6SDwCdzwv0JT9GQxRJk3c/s1600-h/IMGP8788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrvpE4G2eeMy_xdyCQH0V_XDkhwSEG_WVrJeZgbxsE3VGsJ0TOUG68H45A_VN2utzXanT05ZmD7fmsiFizt5GT-jzZ8ZHJ5cgFkC6jSEdgorZzGsuQWDPWHb6SDwCdzwv0JT9GQxRJk3c/s320/IMGP8788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365801671311764114" /></a><br />Well its been a few months since i last wrote on here, but not through laziness, through having too much of a good time playing and working all over the place!!<div>After an amazing time in Colorado in January i came back to spend February and March in Scotland searching out the winter climbing season here and doing a bit of work, not too much though, on the weekends for Glenmore Lodge, Sotland's National Mountain Centre.</div><div>Then in April i headed out to the Alps for 3 weeks of Ski touring, where there were some really good conditions underfoot and some pretty wild weather days above the ski!!</div><div><br /></div><div>The beginning of May saw me boarding an Aeroflot plane, bound for Mineralne Vody, and onto seek out some ski mountaineering in the Caucasus, Mount Elbrus primarily. Well, all i can say is that it was a very different adventure!!! But i probably won't be "rushing" back to Russia!</div><div><br /></div><div>June, i ended doing a little bit of work around North Wales on a Sea Kayak Symposium for the Joint Services and then i headed out to the Alps again, for some Alpine boating with university students - its a bit like hearding cats!!</div><div><br /></div><div>In July i was lucky enough to be invited out to Peru, it had been in planning a year, but it meant that i could get out to the Cordillera Blanca for some beautiful mountaineering. All i can say is wow, what a place, it is magnificent. There is just so much to do and so much more to go back and do, i look forward to the day i can go back and explore some more.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am now at home, in damp north wales, for a few days, before heading out to the USA to deliver at a symposium on the North West. Looking forward to meeting the folks out there and making some new paddling friends on the other side of the pond.</div><div>I managed to dodge rain showers yesterday and get out for a quick climb on slate, but only in bus stop, because there is filming being done in the main part of the quarries.</div><div>Anyway, check out some of the photos form the past few months.</div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-57405919342657943282009-03-12T11:51:00.000-07:002009-03-12T12:24:47.712-07:00<div align="left">Today is a minging day in Lochaber!!! Wet and windy, appropriately qualifies as a cafe day some would say!<br /></div><div align="left">On Monday i spent the day with Helen and Dave on the West of Aonach Mor.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312378769124652770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaj2CIF3RTyLMlXJJk7rEKNAuzLyhMPxPh8WqbHdoBlvudTP04q8RuCW1bkH-F8tQdrpGc_qjvPQeaiCHPoRY45_fMpOaJdGJHwuJDJWRQPRyQqxcxZPXkJvJGqZSxx8FfJkmOm9Hjs8/s320/IMG_2018.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Dave and Me on an icy step.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312378970726947442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39jslcVrytmxLw1Pc6dbigWMD1FSNHI-9IBLF_o8z6zvv-t6-MKP60oXlFSKU3MSCxizzIHwdMEW5ESpmGtNhOOkxVbhMdBKi0cvcBJeQ4hdmIiS5sa8GWtbNkaI93tlaC2jKJJbE4HU/s320/IMG_2019.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Dave Barnard packing up at the route end<br /></p><p align="left">On Tuesday we headed over to the Cairngorm, where it was a little more wintry, unlike the sunny and calm west coast. However, a good day was had on Hidden Chimney with the Direct Start variation IV,5.</p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312379624133418658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpTr9vacYdelxZ2ZDAsQVHUPU795oN4suF-Cvmv8pQMU_Ufg5aH9gNRv7I4xeTDBV4J5D6dmJuC6Ao-dUJcUBLP4cso7x8YmHriKmRiWt_FB9h4jy6J6kp6kBZdN4rB-xfd0k_b-aoB_c/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Me on the direct start IV,5<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312380227360391282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaBLXd2kOT7fhQ7NkUiu0S6ssW0J4EHzrNfakCH_HmNpA2Wa81ExvoSQqJPR6GJgggIm_5zzixD85ns3sEbwE5LzM4TPme4fHyb6-v3e4vNJjBJ98jbGIbgemPLKtBHZM19n_bN1Ccsc/s320/IMGP8675.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Dave Barnard on the direct start<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312380698709276642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YCqCZ3nq2CIZm7Mijo6QmVQR4GevwKD2g5myqlm6e-9NNm-7eOhKS_s72bDvMmWbCO_O7JV9aTDfU9F77H2hnfsKcbcTclcm7aKTe9ZsSjI7f3PhunaEon22UQiN_r9H4ov6ZvFUIO8/s320/IMGP8688.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Helen on the finishing moves of the direct start<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312381560413497266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4w28PjKthjPL2YxZAcpmQjPda0Fb9gtDyEJxETUetB5sLnp_dN-Y68SgFULrulQg89x3logJjce3wtpvTgaLj4O45LqrRPeTJuLndeoupkh7llNX8CBR-9UQQmgeAxK9hIV8m-Ey_5as/s320/IMGP8701.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312382150581369330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA45SYyr6-ESDXIHNuA2g7ca3DDohOneGUzLLPOts9t7nuRbxHPOgC6KMMCz7zHMfKcTZ9RdOZy9ueAlKPTpt2lHGwUgoVdIUN83ZB4aZd21ZoM41Wc7ecGk-rjqZoCR-lDkVog-OA_h4/s320/IMGP8707.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312382637081573714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SN3yvaXO10l6z3I0B94oXw6sMHrHWD7eLsMJ5NbY7mrbY9MTOKLZbxjyhS2aUi5KgjR_Vw8_1mCJQLSL00NcF46flubjXmKJTOBKz9endB2W4nC5JBJqLEKXgTRbKQS5virNBOSM0jU/s320/IMGP8710.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312382955867623346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEyGZhypTPnnNXJh6uyEAN8RfGfWMJWa1s12smSreeIGopqOWOBjxHm8U1jAPixO6nvf29UEFitxH75nst87hhmzJCcIwNmJaX_xTKeLp6SvZQI5cK5RfjmviHe6mPKfj0aL7OwvYO8w/s320/IMGP8715.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Helen and Dave near windy gap<br /></p><p align="left">Wednesday i had to go to Edinburgh to pick up my passport from the Russian Embassy, stamped and visa'd ready for a Mt Elbrus Ski Ascent in early May. Can't wait for that one!</p><p align="left">Driving in cities is a scary business, especially when you don't know where you are or where you are going!!</p>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-71513757460489804022009-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:002009-03-06T14:17:02.131-08:00Winter Snows have returned - hooray!After last week was a washou't of meltdown, the snows have returned to create some better conditions in the North again. Some of it a little too deep and powdery at times, but still can't all be perfect hey!<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>I retired to north wales last weekend to dry out, and do a centre inspection for the Welsh Canoeing Association on Monday. Then returned North to Edinburgh to apply for a Russian Visa for a trip planned later this year. What a major faff that was, visa offoce, embassy, photo booth, internet cafe, photocopy of this that and everything else! Then, i still couldn't collect on the day, have to go back next week instead and collect it!</div><br /><div>Anyway, some sanity prevailed when i returned to the Highlands, and managed to beat the closing of the roads due to snow.<br /></div><br /><div>On Wednesday i mangaed to get out ski touring with Paul in an area south of Moy cottage on a beautiful powdery day, with blue skies and not a breath of wind. It was amazing as you can see.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310190678348640898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjNJLxXzaK9Ezp5Miut2eZ4FagkITxhhNYbt4MAS6roGUVv4c8OY4zlWzhMTJ42yw4Sh9B9Gfdg2KB6cV-Sd9HK_l9BJfJCSe3orzEkDkdA9yvcvWBxOGT-LFLLCxHL-wuZetOhleOfDs/s320/IMGP8544.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310191530987341186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4r_M-vp3iknYk7VYc5PiDkzXWurZaBT72WCkTZND_ciaLJEWD1LOIHuAGfhla7M7brP6FRFuHnNSFEbgvQAcnpdA2m9MhZR9dEIJs9Yec7zLxBpOV6o-ayWrmQtq-uOw8PtencP1bHg/s320/IMGP8556.JPG" border="0" />Thursday was spent in the company of Cath, Helen and Gareth, who the day before had expended loads of effort by wading waist deep in snow to go up the Sron na Laraing ridge in Glencoe. We headed for Dinnertime buttress in Glencoe, following yet another dump of snow on wednesday night. Luckily we timed it right so that another team were ahead and breaking trail!<br /><br /><div>We had another beautiful day, making a rapid ascent and hooping over the top into Stob Coire Nan Lochan to see a very keen team having broke trail to attempt Dorsal Arete. Other teams had turned back, stating that it had nearly 4 hours to get anywhere near it! Luckily we were headed down hill in soft and fluffy underfoot cushioning! It was almost pleasant.</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310193125540707650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSTQB3Z1JDmM_bJ8yPCLlmJ8EGSUBFHnWc3lfLJI75o7KoODQ4SxRXmV0QZynDFrzf_4iXL9Czj6wsmsKeYHqkAdT_IZY5is94NbrCmVleunpGZX4T5fl3PhDhTVA12Mf_slh3WL34qE/s320/IMGP8588.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310195005258824930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflzCky1fdcppGuUXEn1aB8Z85ffEoDozVv8ZCK8Xnm3NucWIbrpKZWyx0ZN60Z38wOz_CG0xxmNh40fqFY-p39qdQ6JJ3Czngl2pRfd3NzySOPn7ij3IM6biXxwgHRYZW67fhyphenhyphenoONeiM/s320/IMGP8598.JPG" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div><div>As a new member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors committee, i headed to my first meeting on thursday eve and then drove over to Cairngorm, in readiness to climb on friday with Nate. I awoke to a still morning on the banks of Loch Morlich in Glenmore, not a cloud in the sky and a flat calm lake reflecting the northern corries in her surface. I drove up to meet Nate and we haeded in to climb The Message IV,6. The pics below are of Nate on his pitches 1 and 3.</div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310196050705693106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimblWIDZ3e7R49BSRFJDgWh6qYeIzEu863agbhzUTVQOxsoD047Cog2bhGjxl_LJzMVc8jETFwTdYKIGCCJxopitixQIilgBmJfvkPl5g477e83mPTNKEuw4bW9Q3HaYwqisMni7g990E/s320/IMGP8604.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310197614733820642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SUOheG9UdtqXetM8E3-sPhGgS5qBiX7XEEFM4r0NOSSVNY906fohUgUyI2We9JS2rhOrlNERAXPDVOXELF6OL0FFQhylHIXXmLfwy0Ym6fvvGEuiDikrL25yma1iZbJ4sp1Q3pygBwM/s320/IMGP8610.JPG" border="0" /></p><p></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310199038316349090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd24exYTs5_kPP8dQksl_gKhVyijb7JLfYPfFNKvyKj4bsS3LOqltvSjLImNsHR-lPG7ctVahd4lYP4kK6qvaVtPNJT4n3EHQ85rSCyTsQ50XE3nQhgJGrdjRxfOg6NXdLbgRBa6ySp1Q/s320/IMGP8620.JPG" border="0" /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310200164084218866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf2Gnb3R_m9rGh5FpEPl5YUoETL3036IpkMHkvQ7PPYry_GBJkEw0a0mwbTVR21eQXR87GfkD0WyxdJ71DFK2i6qpMcizYNwtl2Omw5DiFw9aW76XoFXbslXLNLtggfhYbKBpbfDhSqU/s320/IMGP8667.JPG" border="0" /> <p> </p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-10979706019546029132009-02-22T09:45:00.000-08:002009-02-22T10:09:45.962-08:00Wet, wild and very mild!<div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Just spent the weekend working at Glenmore Lodge on the Student Winter Skills and safety weekend organised by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.</span><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Some mild weather meant saturday was a little damp underfoot and very blustery winds buffetted the students as they wandered about learning skills in the Northern Cairngorms. </span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305681242717128786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhap7xdczZxQx10filS1xt0t9LFzR6Wk4C0OW3pta_BpaFa5CbHNtd9VBR0bqKttRhtsC1ZngM2qTTg1JttPbvxAmxzpbKY7HtTZ7HQdkcbK-WAF4UnIeNwCIXHrkstJVyPVCLXMqRxeYg/s320/IMGP8531.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305681910436591986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXvXuEhEgVFjbMnZts92vZEwrmXJEHw-Um8bgxa_wcUPbO8IIs7zi483mnwO5J5ZZEbmeZM61AZHpBjuW_ga5PIRgdQozQ8fQeciUoXYHSrh1WRptgfB3hqunCeFwzVK8RDCHuv50Y3w/s320/IMGP8530.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Sunday was a little cooler and the wind was not quite as high as was expected, so some navigation practice to the Cairngorm Summit was the order of the day.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305682728215893602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi35e5vbvcTHsKtExFNmJm-_jM8h4BFCbsREn31h1glvwH6xhveNSWhQX7OIBpT3pQIN-_0M9cdsrtKC5Yf7RNLlc9DK1CJNb17ZiCfNAtjAiSDjL5kXx8pDLP4W3On-txNTlWJVNPk0/s320/IMGP8535.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305684706624484434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXhhNKkzyA_zosfGC1swioKdQ8Dc2aiIpgY1bzIZAYjgpFl6LN1SKaCoYoshVvW5W9cGhJBFTzV4FncKLzjKg7vGmRF6PDVyJ3PS9uXFpPZYY8dncKZEh8WXe5VzJFP3xJegrrV3Uwq4/s320/IMGP8538.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-62632455918212025332009-02-20T09:49:00.000-08:002009-02-20T10:38:16.438-08:00UCLAN Winter Skills CourseWednesday and Thursday saw me working on a Winter skills course for UCLAN with warm forecast! However, even though there was a lot of melting going on there was still enough snow to use for the course skills.<br />On the Wednesday we headed for the Creag Meagidh nature reserve and the Window to further develop skills and for the students to see another part of Scotland and this week, somewhere quieter and less busy than the Northern Corries at Half Term!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304942046655396546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixrrOsf7_-oFL1uu6d3eO8p5cJf3VuwNF9F6Or-v9iQYoL-wD0IW-DdZzEbkp3Ggr1LvlUZ421N26nSEK2cMzqjFRR-b336E5oKQo7FSmAv9sFQ7DZiAdQxXNoB4MXBPzpEiQ07f3E9c/s320/IMGP8476.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304940920179034514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCXV2Fe-DVT-x1dqLmWxB0_eQU-9CVQhSRQYewbvfkKAIQC0c-dywAxGiI8ILIQRCUntmwLjavuGwB26tyCUzF2OHXIaOL8Ox62-0tnmxTrNtpm2R-G9ll8iM7_Ownz9Aqj9h183phfk/s320/IMGP8480.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Students in the 'Salt Mines'<br /></p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304941588783757858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloT0OYxyF9nRaYkj38e2AMLTfhxKgUTHyIE1qHD-nLsA-a5xyZEqb8bfhwrVQSHcZ0zBVsUwDmJK5hF1uP_afwdJzEzXIb4CGYAMutI88OMsQQrjYczLH2tl74FZU_98smlU4_NLwqqs/s320/IMGP8478.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">The view back through the window</p><br /><p align="left">The Thursday saw a return to the Northern Corries for a mixed day of skills continuation, climbing and navigation. The weather was mixed too, with low cloud, snow flurries, damp spells and the odd buffeting windy period just to make it truly scottish. It was busy as expected, with numerous teams lingering at the mountian rescue box, delaying their ascents into the mist! The UCLAN teams got keen and kitted up and headed off into the cloud for the Fiacall Buttress and the Fluted Buttress - The Runnel and Spiral Gully being achieved here.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304944599636196386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQlrLLR1HvB-4EfcFWtP8RVtSZMLnjQaTXAzGXLi-QjVkGGUOJSFfxSY-iTUIqS_MpYdLWPcPjIoYX2gXhjq3X2oJ4Xb-_xmr3qXKasjCkF0ZQXkvXED7_7Xft80oAQBF20WHE6e-FQs/s320/IMGP8481.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><p align="center">The Walk in.</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304945169276497346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRHeoBR3UmQ7_gQiKw0udhXlLwPOiujWWwwlukTvCdyYA_RDin4GoyV5JfdFdBNnIw3eBwPes0t8pl2rnPv9kpHVDlrpqqrlK9ipO_WYeTyRKM-klj7bwkYGkWMgr4zcKi_p0t7JVs2w/s320/IMGP8489.JPG" border="0" />Rob belaying Steve in the Runnel </p><br /><p align="center"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304946124069312786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiOPCOJi_Gn98ToWCZfXFj7jlPcKnIPfRy_dNr5GHPLsdaKAhJU0pX4i8wkXhIm7piTqOCzCBt0FKV_292dkB0MMCsrntZFpGZz6UdpHDvTFA3853fTaabjA11NmVXmhf7WU3T2sJ-sU/s400/IMGP8514.JPG" border="0" />Steve ascending the final chimney pitch of the Runnel<br /></p><br /><p align="left"></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304946661607457746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jQaitYv9FVc11oWufJb7eUxdleYa3HFFKfeDrYvQm5JSZNi-eBSAxsCzw-kvC2Xsuy70Lx4RJZu2iSzfv1XDA2Ar-3RYZsFSjmKv2bD0mkQKTfcfFDMGjPxb0YTZLvgoReQAVAdNu-8/s320/IMGP8518.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304947047799576210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggl_TpFshVy3kkAO9CCIrXHFrx4tzaO56Su1f0yidlpGKBz6Gf_Yhgc0IjleTRIa9OFbbtp3Iw33GyFx1aqXIt-YUg4BIwOfWhoEPQoHnBx8j3stD_mvZkHyhelv32mnlhq-dtQCHJ0fY/s320/IMGP8524.JPG" border="0" /> </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304947478006043986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IRo57BM40c2_0taxR_VyZcltt8OYuSOcJK9DI8IHFOk9lRFE-dw0ncN_vi2H6O91CqlhDvZsQl1ON_GcgyIAe8_XHLpVoKGwkX-WZQMH1GiilpCH68JWdfuy-1YsshE56RiZqVQzwuE/s320/IMGP8525.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304947856599127746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiheUqST2WPrbhiWFsTGlCLcsXNyNgdWPUsP7rOlZ3biCKNvu4dbL5IdpP_rpHU1ZjGGR8xgOJjSJWaDTozZQCbjU0hcYkMKqlHL2mlQ7tsot7Hjq5W41csFdNZuJRlPxvBmc-97rqZd2o/s320/IMGP8527.JPG" border="0" /></p><p align="center">The mountaineers with Ben Macdui in the view behind</p><p align="left"> </p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304949327487154834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOcgj4_dawAfh_9Rlbpg4opj_y8kjydw6OUslZmXllDg5a21Tm0Vgolqc4W2ND8kDMRaFrTMku9jSx9MsTuDyY7s_3kP7tiHiUyOotGxqylfmVChNmAj9LZ3zGewKJTRPbMzt5qYnC0gU/s320/IMGP8528.JPG" border="0" />Organised Ropework from Rob!!<br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><br /><p><br /><br /></p>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-1382143916931964752009-02-16T11:56:00.000-08:002009-02-16T12:23:29.432-08:00Winter Navigation SkillsI have just spent the weekend working at Glenmore Lodge on a Winter Navigation Course on what is possibly the busiest weekend of the year for the Cairngorm Ski area. The group and myself spent Saturday around the locale of the centre putting together the fundamentals of Winter Navigation before our day out on the Cairngorm Mountains the following day.<br />The Sunday was spent heading out from the Ciste car park, which had in the region of a few hundred folks queueing for the ski bus to the slopes of the Cas. We headed out East and North towards the Glenmore Forest via the hills and valleys in the area practicing the techniques learnt from yesterday. We had a few 'temporary displacements' but moments of being 'lost'!<br />However, the weather has now resumed its normal state of affairs for Scotland, swinging from Cold and crisp to Mild and Wet with an above the summits thaw having settled in for a few days. Its looking like it might get better towards the weekend though, with colder weather forecast.Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-28608919378156880272009-02-12T06:41:00.000-08:002009-02-12T08:11:57.067-08:0012 February 2009<br /><br />Yesterday was a blue skies day on the west coast, here in scotland, and Cath Wilson and myself hooked up for a climb on Stob Coire Nam Beith, Deep-Cut Chimney (IV, 4) was the aim. We were meant to be joined by Gary, however, his van had other ideas! We ended up going for the full calf burning four star experience of the summit, which meant the climb just went on forever! The first three pitches however, had plenty of value in them!<br /><br /><div><div><div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301932379593299138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqt3UixW76EJayuV21SYzv5mZgBW_lkOtBHufFvDy_h2Czoik99G-_5JGwXW8oTHLgXcTaFI12aNox8sY4g-aTVFO9qklHBXgEFsw3D4cFNu_RCsTD4e-mL1uCD5MtL7P22iErCb6yuc/s400/IMGP8429.JPG" border="0" />The view over to the Aonach Eagach Ridge from Stob Coire Nam Beith<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301933485715118194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZllzHhwvOEXcAiRmZa53hLIBIezTmTh1QyFqqatML005FsGIBsyR2O5NIZd1V3RxcmbJ-1JCHuBZF-B6JC7Fak4Qc-7nYvdRVx5sUXmK9mXxdfASw41dJJGMtiP2q3nQBZF2urfCw5s/s200/IMGP8433.JPG" border="0" /> Cath after having turned the little cave the first pitch. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301940844649496370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNldW9hRYGkhkMWfVJVsScPWe3GnwsUJxj2BeUD3a_ltX2aa8fVwA2vMjX0zj5OievvqK6BOJZK8ZcvRSiTD1QhGLAMwvWOQ1nhG8fL9fMM_xEUtSg1_LgALMBY4nZyfpfXtcJmyh99IU/s400/IMGP8446.JPG" border="0" />Cath on calf burning terrain! Only another 300 metres to go!!</div><div></div><div><br />9th February 2009<br /><div>Today i went for an early start with Nathan, from the Ben's North Face car park and headed for Point Five Gully (V,5). We were at the CIC before 07:45 and then set off up the approach apron below the classics that surrounded us. We were bestowed with a perfect day, no cloud, no wind and only one other party chasing us hard on the route. The summit was amazingly clear with views that Colin Prior would have been proud of.</div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301937611486609426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgscsYpaOlN8o2WlicloByTg7e0qN1RLAt4cfysoFt4vN66k8LbEt0mhdYx6xjvS0klAeoZFZTLgiC09_Ug_yRmLb2YoweH9Ux6kerxfaoUQQK4YtwtJw2rhLNHr_E7rWyzXAnId9dr9Gw/s200/IMGP8387.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301937322860976738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTF0Yk-QjtTvyg_AB05LBakki1DA6GJQGfctKA2Diy7Bu1phdrJ__NbJDcdjbriiscT8uV-fjQuWweZM9MWBMVJILLI7kLN1a3YJVVwGkW3m0t_JqQvckJsVzltG-IZelsKjX0OYE520/s200/IMGP8397.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301936062889061842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2cNeDKhI9JGqgVngb3Vf5AWMeutFeCrpwqV9mfX26Km7rkGe0EXU1zkFn9_KjQVFDJx8RUud5SXp47akdBp3mdjnQYhnRtvp0JW5nUl93Onbim90jQYcS0shdVYub_xZd5fRmHV2OxE/s200/IMGP8404.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301936372756818914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqIUCM40IacHbOMyYI6KoRkskGhwwMpxFKHr5oRNVQLKtVd9dpwGDgvleDq3o1H25nDseuOJFt91cjfexBTHaUrgn-glCg-ZlqSZzANk27n_mk5rPe1hCP-QdQkP02ZK_QAlVkfFDA-k/s200/IMGP8406.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301935472334708850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKMEsw9Y5bjQ0EeDe5JtlUsTE2us8_7xn0TT0dZIEnyqZ0NWz2b0Fig8q1oCo4V6A60i8LVi0DSZeTcS88aQrC7MfS9Tkh_NrbTU2d9cyrCHMiZAi5i-_XrQfJntT66wMzaALa-gIvFA/s200/IMGP8417.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301935032631374434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4jmRy9TRus6y85OFu6kMqOydA2kE99kHYn45WCXp-gfP_yuQR8wEispvbcWQsU81e-zzCdIFvEKhTrI2Ms4UBnOEfwovHOJbaXXF45LcnkFKJmIW2LUkl9ZstuWdMYbeuazvzPyKOwLQ/s200/IMGP8426.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>7-8th February 2009</div><br /><div>Working for Glenmore Lodge this weekend. A foot of the white fluffy stuff landed overnight making it virtually impossible to get out of the doors, let alone go anywhere. However, with a busy course ahead and a lot of people to skill up, the instructors became flexible and innovative in their ideas of what and where to teach for the day. The sunday, saw everyone scrabble for the snowshoes and head off into the Cairngorms on a beautiful blue day. The wind had dropped, the powder hounds were on the ski slope and even a mountain hare came out to see what all the fuss was about. Some time was invested in crampon and axe work, some sliding around in the name of ice axe arrests and even some snow analysis was thrown in for good measure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301939896429842386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb8p8u9LOzbxmLoiTh5UFkx4IfYGtf8dKpbhuwpezY1LdDqzTfJLPY18N39GKPyIZEdKLrowFzHS2Qp2ZOH3xrd_4GJww5vN7OzTmmJP4Whbmj9dMDeXXPuCC2-wsM-zuoYxQOpxyYKE/s320/skills+team.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><div>The Winter Skills Team</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301938984877956690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzxC4lTow6Y0q-e07PueskmuiEEZEJib5Blmod5T7AcyIzPifaXg704HZgwEx1lZUE7Y9PACEAv2B3YucBCnQMpjWT9uUoF7oi_szMFaXKFwviwZlb6Uo06BQCtLRnrQj90eZQ8eEDx4/s200/glenmore+lodge+sign.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301931971832707234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijEWP42o7E1ouizkQ2sS8kAVeSQChjZNRt_X0lf4WoT3M_deqjGsEV8H7Tbgn5ZFEwiX822r1qBFi1Y8TUIFuQYSEbJ83hZsm1lmCvPDhh_kBuGnEeV1lU76G1Hci72IAisXM_UXoV3MY/s200/Suzi+digging+a+shovel+up.jpg" border="0" /> Suzi excavating the Shovel Up shelter<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>2-3 February 2009</div><br /><div>Worked on a Climbing Wall Award Course for Boulders Climbing Wall in Cardiff.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301930432949159186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0LsfPTbaVVrdxKHQ-kxcrH5kScoKhYV4PNGLqZvlp5Ydlbth7gNSCkTYmYrHFrLE9PoaKmc2UqBG-ZgpFElzSNoLa45uJkAI-zOU97ZOVQcm7s1JGKC508LF2A0fHaUPG2Wp344h5Bk/s200/IMGP8370.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div>31 January 2009</div><div>Worked on a Glacial travel and Crevasse Rescue course for students of a glaciology degree in Pembrokeshire of all places!!</div></div></div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-1084907262674139022009-01-27T21:11:00.000-08:002009-01-27T21:44:35.313-08:00Leaving Ouray today!Oh well, it all comes to an end. It has absolutely dumped with snow the past 2 - 3 days. Ouray was amazing, 65+ ice routes climbed, a few days of 'backcountry skiing' on some great peaks, an afternoon of nordic skiing and lots of great people along the way. We even managed to blag a half day skiing at Telluride for free!! Still not sure how we managed that though!?!<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here are some photos of the final few days here:</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296210043179871954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojDjkft3QTeuShnRFsk7zufTE4mcPIP4rQJC0_I1fgfbq2vX9LcGQa5siA0IxvMp11w3ARNr4JDYtalssxoS2amHqd3ma9CtZ7JSOfrUedzgAkI2xutgWVgo65Yvq8n0G0a22f2o4fKU/s200/IMGP8312.JPG" border="0" />Sarah's new horny friend!!!</p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296210358664310834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrBwmw9gAZQ6axrRgjaIsOEYA9ZyamupKmQFQIJ0hQ9BkCJGQF_kFkc0lJ8i53etL9xjBzplFHpVfvmD-kkOHt8BoNDFT7Fp0OsyEeTV2CLaKxAZUEGneoGHijSCB1O-41-9eo51kito/s200/IMGP8238.JPG" border="0" />Sarah making her way up through the trees towards Brown Mountain Peak.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296211911857672546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFAuDPdertSo1Yhkh01YZNlK4j9BonDjZPZyc6tIuQpjm9KdBckqgxcDLUemR7btJ3Qpyh-kiaaB4yGBQgC6f67pMU8y0LK6k5E4o3Jn75Me4yIJQNYFP6iQuiWIa-Hg3PeRs8n4T7_8k/s200/IMGP8241.JPG" border="0" />Me making my way up through the trees towards Brown Mountain Peak.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296213185848148658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUUXhsonZnMTTvbFyTa2zVF2AR5bGK0bjEYNzNIC11wSetpv-OT7Sl5YjnYVUwvndysAExTdhe3jHg5k6Oe8qGEiGsKFl5s-04HhNkUzaeJXYqrousokdFboQEn1YkBsNVlkh1-Jhoj0/s200/IMGP8289.JPG" border="0" />Art photo!!!</p><p><br /> </p><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-42057931601551688712009-01-21T20:25:00.000-08:002009-01-21T20:53:45.464-08:00Skiing in the San Juans, Colorado.<div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;">Today was an amazing day. We made a ski ascent of MacMillan Peak in the San Juans off the Red Mountain Pass. Not technical, but just pure fun off piste in the US Basin area. Ascended on skins and came back down in powder of the open US Basin and through the trees. Then we headed up the other side of the pass towards Trico Peak and had some brilliant powder runs on the way back down too.</span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293971181468934098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7m7gXzibvj0qKCwr_stWbI9naKByZ4XZlm-Jpo_QMYqIeOcBzfQ-mYczJdCDi8_GQxr1SMGV1rECXgTm6Y7ahYgjcsp59mncwvbMxqeh76OfucUYU8UrwzwfYKJ4nTwmaxr3CefDIAFo/s200/IMGP8117.JPG" border="0" />Sarah ascending the pack trail with an old mine working ahead.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293972261088647602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6eo3irr8jz4Jn41RZArNbkPYZVBLDUwcw9XUlKmlGZYIZ6H2DR5JkFuhkNs3nIkwmzZWMqgQ5ldmeqBcuXUH2EkmOEswxFMrxJXcjOKMO2Aix50bCuMj2uzkdIeQ0egYlUECK_Od6u0/s200/IMGP8124.JPG" border="0" />Looking back over to Trico Peak on the other side of the Red Mountain Pass.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293973246343556962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbE2X9hdI2iSx1SVGgsyQSxck7cpTLKWLrzLh8kkM7Kn1DHDWfl_PqIKgcOuMQAlKMgm3eU5GXtbUGxGpLJ6IV_xzLTn0_7ob8E9vpU3WyL1x0nwwLIqUA4V6VpFU2AQbuQ7SCPba1YA/s200/IMGP8146.JPG" border="0" />Sarah making tracks towards Macmillan Peak.</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293975781715969554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseukH1yHsdNqa2owtsP6P80S3aQ4lZhcfMEIw1jeVOvUsuQC7V6ScU9LOTwB0lD0g7lfn5OoSZrfya2e0It1-QW3iq_W8bzf08EZNKuvNApFRWpffHw7Smi7bdfnSAIF6JxuNk2c2LIo/s200/IMGP8190.JPG" border="0" />Sarah descending the trees.<br /><p><br /></p><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-508252708929500172009-01-20T18:10:00.000-08:002009-01-20T18:44:28.205-08:00What, more ice?The last few days we have still been privaleged to be basking in Sunshine and climbing more ice. We headed out for some of the classic routes. Whitt's World, Pic o the Vic, Tooth Decay, Winding, Sunscreen etc.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293567214356125682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFFQ28kidZ0IQW3Ib3fZoxp2ctPDyaTXFTuumwyYJnWIjBWFzLF25DdMr83rFQNE4Gs-a7RcSLtexNR7h8TUuOXjXrfWsOXbEdX0xtuORWlGb9GPKoOwF1JXqczqSMrHRHG1vrwHvEhU/s320/Dave+Leading+Winding,+WI3+Lower+Bridge+area+(2).JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293568047382134994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibY-DR7w3by0ihQVHuSU2D07OTUvM57AAojAKql-xAyosKG4AVIORIugHH2BQ84_yUM21KSB9MDW1foCmhyoNZjEEtz-EI6Jir3r5lxYVBGtePnVXQxbjZSlP-p39D607ZmfcMcSUMxyo/s320/Sarah+on+Tooth+Decay+WI5,+Lower+Bridge+area+(4).jpg" border="0" />Sarah on Tooth Decay, WI5</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293568830423788962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVKBVmqJ5O9gg3JV1GDczyeTR6GjhMN2je2JGfQMALiSK7kg2K4U0u3BAFs40isw21f0lV-_R6MhEJqGNICIc-8CttFRL5VD8VO8lz1dQSzdl3G_zl6PSgd_QlhWxwQrTItdVMp0gRDFQ/s320/Unknown+climber+on+upper+section+of+Popsicle,+WI5,+Stonefree+area.JPG" border="0" />Unknown Climber on the top section of Popsicle, WI5<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293569763208211346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnw5JTmiwbsNMcb16anH1yeHiBpfcJ1l2lQWHC2PC5sxXwLvv1Bp508tzMm6Gwqv8WKr5sqMZB4bn1AfJ-_EGDqLFlhbaZ2TLiND-ckoLzmw8fRexY6QV_CEnB-pRCedrR6KM9Ipn-EvE/s320/IMGP8046.JPG" border="0" />2 climbers on the classics Whitt's World WI4 (Nearest) and Pic o the Vic WI4+ (furthest)</div><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293570856360791266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-G-WSf2JQEL71o5fhRENGwNJULJIQ6hbGiykRbZf1211MklKJAybyNRakBwgsqNVik8mqLtVqwuXHek4jBhaj0iejsISKR5K2-S_mdrBHc3OHUpR5isq1bwQR5J_Tj0IQZeJWDhW3oXI/s320/IMGP8069.JPG" border="0" />Sarah nearing the top of Whitt's World</div><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293571292328682914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwMTqtr6J-2df-Ts7XhSKg4Bjl-971to6wg1h_Nj0WM0Bs9pUJsLWshP_t1X8rPwQp2zRx_5FUpN_saZ9OHz_bQkbzYmidXD-vQxbEuAxhAJsVOU_4VCeDUaGU5YBgvCEOFAnNo7sam0/s320/IMGP8077.JPG" border="0" />Sarah nearing the top of Pic o the Vic<br /><div>Tomorrow, we going exploring on Ski from Red Mountain Pass on the Million Dollar Highway to Macmillan Peak, 12800 ft.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-38019470471661308782009-01-17T12:01:00.001-08:002009-01-17T13:15:11.208-08:00More Ouray Ice!<div><span style="font-family:arial;">Well, just to keep you drooling at the ice over here, some more photos of Ouray's offerings!</span><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292356026363354914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0m-FUDpq45Tja8p29W41Gl68JO9FUnxE8RLh9K09NWpzTwOCFkB2WaoeMejiWUgVee0r7qbF2gAAr-5grFoItRhkrn5hDxP4bOogco7Hyt_eCcYelCfdKnxDc2kHgXEU6ZLNIJxczw9A/s200/IMGP7810.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div>Sarah leading in the New Funtier.</div><br /><div></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292356704021703602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili5uwKCRdN1Sczhfz0VOUa-px9wyBufWexdsifqmdvu5g5AAU-_Dx4l3Yyn8LchVdDIgtnImW5Mr5GpywhlcXivtqSNXsM-4BpwCenk4A9KkjNFjGeZnk31MrCVJevrkZUcpzoOKKKlQ/s320/IMGP7821.JPG" border="0" />Bridalveil Falls in all its Glory, with a guided party about half way up on the left.</p><br /><p></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292372367132890978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMS0ZCka4MZQKQVXCyfaSgXMil2trjIZDsWOgY297A6e6XmHn1-rzZQ9a976a5bAcOXhpHxVZlO1Z2QLyAhRdIKKXVJS2uo2vOXIzwgbskKbKww7X5K84GESmu_RHyQFfqliRc6_nXWJc/s320/IMGP7856.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>Dave placing an ice screw on the lead in the South Park area.</p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292364301118569474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA3yWm-MWv1wtWhaBIKM2OQQb7OIfxF8cTKH4FntzwdnJ1QbLfrOeYa-y0RArYLIiXzCND4sUfH8TXD5ec9YiIsGKV0nziPgsVQLOJCVriKPpUehAF5qxbl8S0AGY4OvEcoJvbAP2qN4/s320/IMGP7844.JPG" border="0" />Unknown Climber on the Classic Pic 'o' the Vic.</div><div><br /> </div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292365221428836466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvWPTwiXpUrvPJ1WAJI6AKBZjwFOmvTVEm92dIPz_HJM4RD9hLIH5U5spHip0Ttdc4w7fYnrDCJvYn5t6PN-iAn0UmbLTGgBX_VGPOWroveNXDgVJibRrhzyDJENsmk8KyVXzk1N9zwaM/s320/IMGP7912.JPG" border="0" />Unknown climber on the mixed classic Tic-Tac in the Stonefree area of the Ouray Ice Park.</p><p> </p><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292366982766148834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ETuJ38rIft8cmTe5FvCgeqpKhKac_P1iKsDbhaNTD_gmctej7Ux8WqlDBEDbx9Bt3Qe7z0UqwFCUn7WuWCxVryMjV6P4zA8L1S5vYjbhhLPeiBZvCLNA1UD9dHUeTRHZpkv6cTi1sFo/s320/IMGP7914.JPG" border="0" />One of the Local Guides preparing a mixed route for use with his client.</div><div> </div><div> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292368815147548642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0DprbTYKNDEEslat3qRyIM7BjYfHMwScud7rEYMc_-NWuwO3vtTup8OUywJnpDK1sR-x6qI8bterD16Nwcq7SOhZCQnyKCHJGvH-J16s93R-2teBhuPQTQP1omkoJjfCC9Ev_tOPF08/s320/IMGP7837.JPG" border="0" />The local Skiing and Climbing Guru, sponsored by Pro-Tec!!!! <p></p>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-9349720050657420172009-01-10T20:18:00.000-08:002009-01-10T21:02:08.592-08:00Ouray, Colorado - Ice Climbing Nirvana!<div align="center">The past few days have been spent recovering from a bit of Jet Lag inter mixed with a whole heap of Ice climbing fun. The Ouray Ice Climbing Festival has been in full 'swing' and it is such an impressive set up and place. Middle America is being very cool right now.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">It has been blue skies and sunny since we got here, apart from yesterday, when it dumped over 12 inches of fresh powder snow!</div><div align="center"><br />Below are a few picks to make you think about all that is available over the pond.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsP31TUQlU2Rj-32ed_t1eoAkq3xocrkJXgDxzs4-LVnlc9_vWIPdiqpCt-B15krnuCR3-pbatzPBXKXh43EQIY5pCxzbTle4Hn_-vf2mHHKAz0vupNnfTHuR7bp0bYCdi4kEOE39M_Y/s1600-h/Mike+Beverley+at+the+Poser%27s+Lounge+on+Goldline+(2).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289889193366014914" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsP31TUQlU2Rj-32ed_t1eoAkq3xocrkJXgDxzs4-LVnlc9_vWIPdiqpCt-B15krnuCR3-pbatzPBXKXh43EQIY5pCxzbTle4Hn_-vf2mHHKAz0vupNnfTHuR7bp0bYCdi4kEOE39M_Y/s320/Mike+Beverley+at+the+Poser%27s+Lounge+on+Goldline+(2).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Marc Beverly on Goldline (M10) at the Poser's Lounge Area, Camp Bird Road.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MIJ8WkgM6HNIz4VVTlpU9EyjCc6cWWB5vT-h8Ufy0v2c-_kf52VIEOp65T5MWKPn2A01At_NrRz-yNkpzShc30w_oCi_g9YBG8kRTNCYUPp8cUpnTxp7xbfuRMYUjUPAIa8GRCfhsdY/s1600-h/IMGP7738.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289889974641015506" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MIJ8WkgM6HNIz4VVTlpU9EyjCc6cWWB5vT-h8Ufy0v2c-_kf52VIEOp65T5MWKPn2A01At_NrRz-yNkpzShc30w_oCi_g9YBG8kRTNCYUPp8cUpnTxp7xbfuRMYUjUPAIa8GRCfhsdY/s320/IMGP7738.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">The Ice Fest Gear tents.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjpxK8ua3uZHPEKeSW01jA7wsCtZmXULDVvo3Y4cQqYeEUR4MZgWsJEacjZnA5zLyt7nUHpp0P-8XBIwWI8bUr1DGYic7w6jNrfTGj5B0jolcILTGEehdMgNqjjNGAEcVEGxAv9U_evw/s1600-h/IMGP7747.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289891944309845170" style="WIDTH: 158px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 237px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjpxK8ua3uZHPEKeSW01jA7wsCtZmXULDVvo3Y4cQqYeEUR4MZgWsJEacjZnA5zLyt7nUHpp0P-8XBIwWI8bUr1DGYic7w6jNrfTGj5B0jolcILTGEehdMgNqjjNGAEcVEGxAv9U_evw/s320/IMGP7747.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Unknown Climber coming out from behind the curtain.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzS9YXLjYjc1wwGPGDtL7i6u6a_w3QpCI3pN4_C48AiATtFwJaO3iSYk5lyRXvJPvTIH16UzFQCVeldC2HdYVRBeb-r4HZhnFSAntLwWm4WrL-pyd_iN8F0iSdXTGI7TiMWb4xs5HB1Q/s1600-h/IMGP7761.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289892990868634706" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzS9YXLjYjc1wwGPGDtL7i6u6a_w3QpCI3pN4_C48AiATtFwJaO3iSYk5lyRXvJPvTIH16UzFQCVeldC2HdYVRBeb-r4HZhnFSAntLwWm4WrL-pyd_iN8F0iSdXTGI7TiMWb4xs5HB1Q/s320/IMGP7761.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Competitor Josh, on the Route 'Heavy Petting'.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289894169028118130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XRFHsUVzTE_TObsEcs4ABQ9qdgZFII1f5HB0a0K6k2r3JlOkQUTTreVEiWuNa3V_7PCqOl3-k25Nq7KYiHrVbI7WaWAyiyRjz8w4KH12H7237UaKhM5E9ggzY82kOFGFNtPDhg8Xtqk/s320/IMGP7769.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Oscar on Stone Free WI5.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289895100736488242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjr1ehIZHpHwD-FsA3MLUbQzYn4z7iGaimXtm5HqqcQNYZkNJZXZYGNsepPapIhGmQuQwOhzRXQQ1De20MEyr5dC2x4stxPPMJ5o1Uws-gmbQb99Kq34pFOU1gdWJ15HNdqe0-LAWgWAo/s320/IMGP7772.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Slackliner above the Stonefree area.</p><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289895917813105554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJVu_XxLbnDYQvyFDdMOEK7fQI-AtnEzwHHsajkKixBDwD3ezpAsujybrN6s33lik_dRp0l_bKzI-1Z2CLY7dh9JHULlWqNYnq2fmsqen3FvAADD-hra9ucP6RE5VlyZAXhZqxmr_U4E/s320/IMGP7796.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center">Sarah in the Hot tub after a hard day on ice!<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8564180784683813364.post-70351621109648977062009-01-05T11:37:00.000-08:002009-01-05T15:14:01.377-08:00Cwm Idwal Ice<span style="font-family:arial;">The high pressure lingering over us on Saturday and bringing the return of the very cold snap after a slight warming thaw made the mind tick and after a phone call to Baggy, a plan was hatched. So sunday saw an early start and a quick hike into Cwm Idwal. The night had been cold and there was plenty of ice on the ground, giving good hints of what could be about.<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287905735563562978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IaMJcc8TpwFD8QmzfB_SXRWyHz4jLtjAPsQc641bKJe5EWHRvYFfzkwTFK5KwtlzuEZABuIbRvqlOVxndW-yoWNdGFamU6I5NruuAeW0XdArZbG-j4bmoEhEeR4S2Frk1zm9Ko0MA_Y/s320/IMGP7661.JPG" border="0" />We headed for Central Route as we had heard a few ascents had been made recently, even though it didn't look that fat on new year's day. We Soloed this followed by soloing the Ramp.<br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287912747718149858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSMgVk3JiNiqtyGV6CX4qMGDxJEL_KitYLdtefPgc3VwFKzXz1eoixzsGC8OxCoIwDDidaPaHZL3yr61t6MGN2697Hj00tv3j81JrKoLoy-8YGDobNQG2A77qFluzm6J_usaKxoY1slJE/s320/IMGP7667.JPG" border="0" /> After descending back into the Cwm we went to the base of the Curtain and climbed this next, it was a lot more solid than it actually looked!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287943627951335346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCydJrZt6jS3N2MHsyRJ6Dwz1eYIIIY48nu1_RON3B4skUseMj-N4jMPehN6NC4uTE32y3NCyi3AJcqdKZ1ouUyV7I1kXpqyuqdi5UrI1SDmzofq9ic4WloQFQfOK333hh_91zTWJN55A/s200/IMGP7692.JPG" border="0" /> Next followed an ascent of the Screen, a little damp, but well formed, with good bottom and top sections.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287949510770902386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHpCnoIz_n3Cim9mvGfnLGQQm46XFtURtrD3TSKeMyOg_AOVhJVW_TPCkTBC5g9DBdPcRFIQ9KK4DjmGm6tvSd-a7I99ZBILLUL6eXhrGJF19U46U8vnVHetGYxJquekivqug-cPjmnI/s200/DSC06068.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287946719284562226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfbAKU-AIyRT6iJAuPAARI6pmZWeSqGeYqRoYh3XZ5FhMh3Wi7gbWnIxmG4SjedFcZdWcULbP7EATCPLZw-uXtRpGVpuKqvCLVblYQ2v-LU7gLEtl-CAo3rW2cVRUR8wIZykKjDhxa-c/s200/IMGP7697.JPG" border="0" /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Lastly, we wandered over to the Devil's Cellar which gave us the best climbing of the day. Sporting two very good pitches and very good ice, it gave a fitting finale to a great day out.</span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287947827539954082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuPEMP1aJz6k-eQIXXIflITHbw_QRVeIYvT_8mDuFCvjNYzO_Y9tgcsGRmjA1y8_KYjYPboFzqkNnvTonBPBlM4BoBV_4XeX1MmXRf_Yc-T_czQJdLoEEpE1hEMQhhfM5-E8KPtrHoOI/s200/IMGP7709.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287950738944257522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IWdZmkFg4ScuohlBi4mjQwgrnPiF4-tobh55jtFf7mr2eLcsPMPDD1JCAoDoT2jfl-DIScfue4_vKiiaFPGVNeFEYzh1vRL2OlWAnH2zKofuXebZ4xZXNRDSfmrJ_yclyOlaP9ChXSA/s200/IMGP7705.JPG" border="0" /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">There were apparently over a dozen teams on the Idwal Stream today and i've had reports of lots of action happening on the South Wales ice too, with folks on the Torpantau Falls and RAC Corner.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;">Conditions look like they are set to stay with us for the forthcoming week, so happy climbing. However, my tools are packed and i'm heading for Ouray on Wednesday.<br /></span></p></div></div>Dave Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15976409237289724243noreply@blogger.com0