Three peaks 1: Ben Nevis.

Posted on 31st May 2016 by essiep

14°C, moderate NNW breeze. Sunny.
Straightforward climb to the top in perfect conditions. The top was busy, but not excessively crowded in my opinion.
Some snow fields remain and the cornices were still large. An air rescue helicopter maneuvered below the north face. It drew the curious towards the cornices as they held their cameras. We, in our best teacher voices, warned them away. The look on some of their faces!
Descending was tremendous fun. Carl, the skier, zoomed ahead on the snow and I followed. Expecting to fall at any second, I was surprised to stay upright. Sometimes there’s undercut melt on the snow edges, not this time. By now, I was whooping with excitement.
We made the descent in 4h 34min. A time we’ll be ahead of schedule.

You can see the helicopter in this photo.

Sgurr Dearg and the In-Pinn.

Posted on 30th May 2016 by essiep

15°C, light NNW breeze and clear, dry conditions.

Chose a fairly short route up from Glen Brittle. Ian knew we’d find other groups up on the ridge waiting to climb the Pinn. He suggested that I climb in my approach shoes, and even consider walking up to the ridge in them. Given that the idea would shave off 1/2 kilo I decided to go ahead.
2 1.4 hours later we were up there. Thanks to my not making the same navigation error as the party in front, we got there before. It was pretty clear where the turn was (oops to them).

Ian set Chris and me to climb first- Chris had his proper climbing shoes and I in my approach so we climbed the South Crack. HVDiff (Hard/Very/Difficult) Which is about a grade 4. Ian led and placed hear for the two ropes. I climbed first and removed gear as I went. The first 3rd was the most tricky. I took ages trying to find a solution- where to put my feet, where for hands, what combination, and so on. It’s all about decisions, some are how to hold while you rest a hand that’s going wobbly.
Figured out, I picked up the pace. It wasn’t until I got near the top that I noticed my breathing was hard. Not from the height, fear or stress, it was the exertion as I sped up.

Me, in red on the abseil.

Mountaineering, Skye

Posted on 30th May 2016 by essiep

12°C, NE light breeze, lifting cloud.
Today, we felt like proper mountaineers, not just hill walkers.
Ian, the mountain guide we hired was brilliant. To made two munros, after ascending through An Dorus, a straightforward, if steep ascent.
First, the more difficult Sgurr a’ Ghreadaidh (pronounced gre-teh).

Ian led on rope on the start out of the shute and we walked the rest. The Ridge is blocky on rock that offers good grip. There is very little space on its summit, we could just about stand on the summit.
Return to Dorus and make Sgurr a’ Madaidh (pronounced Vay-teh).

The Ship

Posted on 25th May 2016 by essiep

Brian Eno: The Ship, double LP.

The record player is working again. No fix from me, it’s an intermittent fault. I suspect a poor connection to the motor. It uses a 2 phase regulated supply from a built in circuit board (Valhalla). The fault must lie there.
First play sounds good for late evening listening.

Javelin.

Posted on 24th May 2016 by essiep

12°C, dry bright and light wind.
I rode with MapMyRide+! Distance: 25.42km, time: 01:18:02, pace: 3:04min/km, speed: 19.54km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1489635909
Before riding home today, I took part in an athletics session. Specifically, I went to try javelin. Along with archery, I have quite fancied this for years.
I was rubbish, but got better significantly during the time. There were too many things to coordinate. Steps cross over, twist, lunge and release angle. More practice required.

The ride back was okay. The rear wheel didn’t hold pressure very well. Changing the tyre seems to have disturbed the self sealing inner-tube.
Apart from that, I had less energy available than usual. My legs still feel tight from the weekend.
I need to taper towards the weekend too. In-Pinn plus 3-Peaks is soon upon us.

Wild camp, d2.

Posted on 22nd May 2016 by essiep

12°C, bright and fresh morning.
Woke at 6. It’s bright and dry. The geese are getting territorial on the lake. Two more arrived while I ate breakfast and the incumbents fought them off.

It’s dry enough to reorganise my bag, check kit and fix up some food. I even remembered to bring a sachet of milk for the coffee.
For the remains of the day, I wanted to make the summit of Rhinog Fawr.
By 8.30, I was ready to set off. My progress was careful. Nobody knows where I am, and there is nobody for at least 5 miles. No accidents please.
I headed over to Llyn Ddu. This is where the first rain started. That’s it then, scrap the summit, there’s no point. In that case, I will use the day to carefully navigate back.

Rolling hill fog occasionally blankets the surrounding hills. These are not great heights, perhaps no more than 500m.
Finally, returned to the car by 1.30 pm, in bright sun. The car was not alone, nor was it a burnt out shell.
A fine way to finish.

Llyn Morwynon. Wild camp.

Posted on 21st May 2016 by essiep

12°C, brighter and some cloud descending. Light breeze.
What has happened to Cwm Bwycam campsite. The portaloos have gone, and the signs. Walk around the field and there’s no sign of tents in the grass. Nothing. It’s sad to see it like this. I used to come here every year, sometimes several times. Places from memories, the crowded trips, I’ve quiet lonely ones. I learnt some tricks here from some trainee RAF guys, and they did from me. The site was managed by an old guy from the Midlands. He was a cyclist and would talk about bikes at the least opportunity.
Let’s hope that it reopens.

Wild camp. Found an ideal spot by the lake. It took about 1h 45m to get here from Cwm Bycam.

It’s so peaceful here, barely a sound. There are a few geese on the water, and I can hear a distant cuckoo.
Deeply relaxing, especially after a strenuous morning.

Snowdon, and a cuppa.

Posted on 21st May 2016 by essiep

11°C, rain easing, but when you start to relax, down it comes.
Up early, woken by cuckoos. Put the tent away while slightly drier, but it’s still drenched.
The car tyre is flat after last night’s re-inflation. It didn’t hold. I decided to swap in the spare after my morning espresso.
I met up with the others, half an hour late and threw my kit on. We started at about 8.15.
With speed we headed off. I don’t think I’ve been this way, it’s a nice enough route. Hill fog was dense above 500m and rain was in future force by the summit. 1h 58 min. got us there.
We decided to stop in the cafe. I have never been inside the new place. Strange, it wasn’t packed out. Did the weather put some off?
I was noticeably slower on the descent. As always, I’m less confident coming down and feel the need for more certainty on each foot fall.
Round trip, 3h40 roughly. Okay considering kid heavy rain and strong winds. Actually, the wind wasn’t much of a problem.

Crafllyn site: Rhyd Ddu

Posted on 20th May 2016 by essiep

16°C, clouding over. Rain in the west.
Heading for Snowden. Left work early and aiming for a camp in the village. The plan is to meet Chris and Em in the early morning to climb Snowdon. We’re taking a route from the west to use it out.
I decided to head out tonight so I have no long drive early in the morning.
This is all training for the 3-Peaks next week. Therefore, we should make good speed.
Made camp. Ate in the pub in RD, fantastic food, better than many restaurants.
The forecast now says this heavy rain will continue until midday tomorrow. Then it dries for a few days.
The car has a puncture.

Looks like summer, but it’s cold.

Posted on 15th May 2016 by essiep

I rode fixed with MapMyRide+! Distance: 84.86km, time: 03:18:54, pace: 2:21min/km, speed: 25.60km/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/1474829699
That’s 52 miles to you.

A field in Dalton, where an intimidating sign warned off trespassers. Looking left, the eye is drawn to the door of a sandstone church. Looking ahead, I could see all the way to Wales. It was that clear.
That was a very satisfying ride, it felt easy to life the pace as the bike felt light. That’s partly the summer wheels, partly the fine, energising sunshine.
It’s remarkable how quickly the summer takes hold.

Micycle

Mike thinks b/hikes

Monthly Archives: May 2016