Sunny Pembrokeshire!
This week summer has really hit, and I’ve been lucky to spend it all climbing in super sunny Pembrokeshire! It’s been a real mix of work for different companies as well as myself, plus some Technical Advisor work, but weeks like it a real pleasure to be outside, whether its taking youth groups for their first experience of climbing outside, teaching lead climbing or tech advice work…
I started the week working for TYF, with Nottingham Girls school, out at St Davids Head. This spot is a great group crag and had unparalleled views across Ramsay Sound, often seeing Porpoises and Seals. The girls all did some big abseils, then spent the day climbing a variety of different routes. We had a GB bouldering team member in the group so I had to work hard to find some climbs that could keep her entertained, but all the girls did awesome. It was so warm on the crag we had to scramble out to the head land to have a break in the wind to cool off, a great start to the week in super sunny Pembrokeshire!
Climbing at St David’s Head, in sunny Pembrokeshire…
Next day was again working for TYF, but this time with Julian and daughter Abs, who already had a lot of climbing experience, so we spent the day heading along many of the cliffs between Porth Clais and Caerfai, dodging the crowds and making the most of the perfect climbing weather. We did some lead climbing, top roping and abseiling, and 12 year old Abs proved super competent and finished the day having had “the best day climbing ever”! Cheers for a great day guys!
Julian leading Red Wall, at Porth Clais
On Wednesday I was out with The Real Adventure Company, who had a team of CCF cadets from London in. We headed out to a crag near Caerfai where we spent the day bouldering and top-roping right out by the sea, almost too hot! The cadets were good fun and put loads of effort in so we could do some decent climbs and some adventurous scrambling around! Yet another top day climbing in super sunny Pembrokeshire!
The CCF cadets climbing out near Caerfai
Next up was a day working in my role as technical advisor for Newgale Lodge, on their High Ropes course, running sign off’s for local instructors to be able to us the course. The sign off process here is important to look at the skills that are outside of the SPA/CWA remit, so the guys are competent to look after themselves ascending a rope, and familiar with the small intricacies that are different to working on the crags. Also part of the day was helping some instructors that don’t hold a formal climbing qualification yet are suitably experienced enough to work on the course, and ensure they have the skill to do so safely..
Newgale Lodge high ropes course sign off.
My final day of work this week in sunny Pembrokeshire was guiding Simon and his son James around some of the classic routes in the Porth Clais area. Having not climbed in 7 years Simon was looking to regain some confidence and re-familiarise himself with the skills needed to keep them both safe so they can go and top-rope some routes in their native Wye Valley. James has been climbing indoors less than a year and it was his first time on real rock. They were great company, the weather was yet again unreal, the tides ideal for the day and everything aligned for a top day at work! We did almost all the routes at Porth Clais, either leading or top-roping then moved over to Porth y Fynnon where amongst other climbs the guys both did an E1 – absolutely superb effort chaps and thanks for making my days work in sunny Pembrokeshire so enjoyable!
Topping out at Porth y Fynnon, after a superb day guiding climbs in sunny Pembrokeshire!