We woke up and shook off the Dorito induced haze and started the day with a heavy discussion about the responsibilities of a mountain leader. Insurance, risk assessments, liabilities, Health and Safety Executive. All a bit deep for 9.00am on a Sunday morning, but it was OK, we'd forgotten what day it was.
Today was billed as a big day. A quality mountain day. A big, quality mountain day that didn't start until we'd parked up and started to walk after 11.00am. After the nitty gritty of navigation yesterday it was time to put it into practice. A long walk, long navigation legs and a chance to have a think about group management. We looked at dynamic risk assessments, making decisions on the move. A chance to refresh my skills and the knowledge I gained on my Hill and Moorland leader.
We parked in the Ogwen Valley and headed up Carnedd Llewelyn, an exhilarating walk on any day but today the fresh easterly breeze was funnelling over the ridges making it difficult to talk and even stand in some places. We took it in turns to lead legs. Mine was looking at group management over Bwlch Eryl Farchog, a steep scrambly descent followed by a steep scrambly ascent. The wind whipped around us as we helped each other down to the Bwlch and up the other side.
Darkness was falling after we'd made the summit and descended to where the cars were left. 6.30pm we made it back to the car. Yes it was a big day, a quality mountain day. The group had learnt more, had bonded more. We arrived back at the self catering guest house (it's not a bunkhouse) tired, but elated at a good day. Too tired to cook we retired to the Padarn Lake Hotel for a well earned meal and maybe a pint or too. No Doritos were harmed in the course of the evening.
Tomorrow is promised as an easier day, let's hope so. Although the distances travelled weren't great, the concentration needed in the battering easterly wind took it out of us. I'm looking forward to my bed tonight.
Today was billed as a big day. A quality mountain day. A big, quality mountain day that didn't start until we'd parked up and started to walk after 11.00am. After the nitty gritty of navigation yesterday it was time to put it into practice. A long walk, long navigation legs and a chance to have a think about group management. We looked at dynamic risk assessments, making decisions on the move. A chance to refresh my skills and the knowledge I gained on my Hill and Moorland leader.
We parked in the Ogwen Valley and headed up Carnedd Llewelyn, an exhilarating walk on any day but today the fresh easterly breeze was funnelling over the ridges making it difficult to talk and even stand in some places. We took it in turns to lead legs. Mine was looking at group management over Bwlch Eryl Farchog, a steep scrambly descent followed by a steep scrambly ascent. The wind whipped around us as we helped each other down to the Bwlch and up the other side.
Darkness was falling after we'd made the summit and descended to where the cars were left. 6.30pm we made it back to the car. Yes it was a big day, a quality mountain day. The group had learnt more, had bonded more. We arrived back at the self catering guest house (it's not a bunkhouse) tired, but elated at a good day. Too tired to cook we retired to the Padarn Lake Hotel for a well earned meal and maybe a pint or too. No Doritos were harmed in the course of the evening.
Tomorrow is promised as an easier day, let's hope so. Although the distances travelled weren't great, the concentration needed in the battering easterly wind took it out of us. I'm looking forward to my bed tonight.