Scrambling in Snowdonia

 Just over a week ago I was employed by Plas y Brenin to work on one of their Advanced Scrambling courses. These are always great fun because  you get out on the hills with super motivated people who are keen for an adventure. Mike and Miranda were brilliant this week. They were quite experience climbers and wanted to arm themselves with the skills required for accurate route finding and safe ropework to allow for efficient movement over long scrambles in the UK. Our first day together was pretty cold and wet in the morning, but thankfully brightened as forecast. We climbed the Clogwyn Y Person arete, high above Cwm Glas and the Llanberis Pass. A great long day, allowing for good route finding, constant movement over the hills and superb views when they came! Next came a slightly shorter route, but one where I was off the rope. The East Ridge of Y Garn provided everything we wanted; guidebook confusion, reading between the loines, careful rock handling in places, great moves, superb situations, but most importantly total independance for Mike and Miranda. Our final day was another stunner weather wise, so a short walk and lots of scrambling was required. The Idwal Staircase and Continuation provided just that. I stayed off the rope all day again, but clipped into many of the belays along the way. I left the route finding completely to Mike and Miranda today and they chose a brilliant line; great moves, logical route and timed it all perfectly so we could finish the day with a quick ice cream!! Many thanks to Mike and Miranda for their patience and enthusiasm. Good luck with all of your future adventures, Andy. 

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