Moel Siabod

Peaks: Moel Siabod
Area: Eryri
A good test of navigation and winter skills. Quite bad weather throughout, very close to genuine white-out conditions particularly on the northern slopes of the mountain. Slightly stressful to be guiding Rich and his friend Stu in these conditions. We ploughed up to Llyn y Foel in thick snow - waist/chest deep drifts in numerous places with me breaking trail throughout. Visibility perhaps 15 metres at this point. Couldn't see the Daear Ddu ridge even when we were directly below it, and so picking a route up through the drifts was problematic (but enjoyable). A shallow gully eventually gained the crest, and we weaved up through the ice-draped crags, good sport in places, but painfully slow with me conscious of the time and trying to chivvy the others along. Strong winds now, with visibility down to 10 metres or so. Picked a steepish route through the rimed-up rocks near the summit, then descended on a bearing in a near white-out.

Ffrith run

A memorable wintry outing from the Collie on Christmas Eve, snow-draped trees in the valley and a superb cloud inversion higher up, preceded two days off over Christmas. After a speed session yesterday, Neil and I enjoyed a longer outing in frosty conditions from Hope over the mountain to Ffrith. Then the long but fairly gentle climb up Pen Llan y Gwr. Great views to an obviously snowbound Eryri provoked mixed emotions - should have been there today really. Ran back via Llanfynydd and the long climb over Waun y Llyn.

Llanferres circuit

Another long run, this time in perfect conditions of powdery snow and constant sunshine. Left Llanferres for the Druid race route up Foel Fenlli, then contouring round to Penbarras and back over the summit. Great running through the sun-drenched snowfields down to Clwyd Gate before continuing south along Offa's Dyke via the base of Moel Gyw and Moel Llanfair, along to the steep climb up and over Moel y Plas (my favourite section of the Clwydians). We continued past Moel y Gelli to pick up the path north to Llyn Gweryd and down to Llanarmon. From here, we ran along the slushy backroads back to Llanferres. A family sledging trip on Waun y Llyn was a nice warm down in the afternoon.

Cwm Glas winter climbing

Crag: Cyrn Las, Llanberis
Route: Sergeant's Gully (II: led p.1)
The timing of this trip was not ideal, as I'd just returned from London. But you have to take advantage of good conditions, of course, although it was disappointingly 8c warmer in Llanberis than HK! From the Pass though, it looked like Sergeants might still be in condition - obviously frozen, and clearly visible left of Cyrn Las. A nice walk-in, followed by a series of fun pitches up the initial ice falls. A mixture of pure water ice and nice neve, although the water was still running in many places. Roped up for a steeper little pitch up good ice, after which I plunged through a pool and drenched my feet - ensuring discomfort for the rest of the day. I continued up the next little pitch, which was also wet, although good ice could still be found. Brought up Alwyn, then enjoyed the excellent ice higher up as the gully widens out and eases off. Plodded up into a very wintry, very cold Cwm Glas. Always a great place to be, but the snow was unconsolidated (which would have rendered the likes of Parsley Fern an unpleasant slog), so we contoured round and then descended via a series of ice falls with more climbing.

Clwydian run

I was keen to get a long run in the hills done before leaving for a weekend in London, and glorious frosty sunshine made this outing really enjoyable. Neil and I began by running up Famau from Cadole via the steep Brithdir path, then down all the way to Llangynhafal on the Vale side. From here, a long climb (as per this year's Tavern race) back to the ridge and along to Moel Llys y Coed and down to the Moel Arthur car park. Back via the tracks to Cilcain, then the leat back to Cadole, before immediately setting off for London.

Aran walk

Peaks: Aran Benllyn
Area: Aran, Eryri
Began the Christmas break with a long run from HK to Waun y Llyn and back yesterday, so it was nice to follow up with this relaxing jaunt in the Arans. Weather worse than forecast as we left Llanuwchllyn for the long but gentle haul up the ridge. Snow flurries from time to time, particularly as we entered the clag at the steepening below Benllyn. Rich was struggling slightly, therefore the full ridge was obviously out, so I just nipped up Benllyn alone after a superb brief clearance as the wind tore a gap in the clouds. All lakes frozen, and major wind chill, so I didn't hang round. A heavy snow flurry as we hastened down to warmth and a pint in Bala.

Moel Eilio run

Peaks: Moel Eilio
Area: Llanberis, Eryri
A family trip to Llanberis, so took the opportunity to run up Moel Eilio in pleasant winter sunshine. Around an hour for the trip from Padarn through the village and up through fields to eventually pick up the Bwlch y Groes track (as per Snowdonia marathon final descent). Then jogged along the broad ridge to the top - great views over Llyn. Back the same way to meet the family in Electric mountain.

Helena Tipping 10k

Race: Helena Tipping (Wrexham) 10k
Time/Position: 36:13 (16th/335)
Initially disappointed to miss sub-36 by such a narrow margin. But on later reflection I was quite pleased to take more than half a minute off my PB, particularly because this was my first 10k for a year (since the same race last year in fact). I went through 5 miles in just over 28:40, sub-36 clearly on, but an unfortunate headwind on the final straight slowed me down and was, I think, the key reason for missing out. Found myself isolated, couldn't work with a group, and struggled a bit. Recorded 36:10 on my watch, and just squeezed into the prizes as 3rd v35.