Llangynhafal Loop

Race: Llangynhafal Loop fell race (4.75m/1750ft)
Time/Position: 46:07 (12th from 108)
The last (and only) time I turned out for this race was in 2007, when it formed part of the British championships and therefore attracted an elite field. The course has changed since then to become considerably harder, with a very nasty sting in the tail. It starts very quickly, along the contouring path south to Nant y Ne. It then climbs the valley to the screes of Stoney Gully, the undisputed king of Clwydian climbs! Always a desperate slog, and I certainly felt yesterday's outing in my legs as I laboured up the scree to the top of Famau. From here, great sunny running along the ridge leads over Moel Dywyll to the fast descent down to the valley above the village. The final climb heads back up brutally steep heathery slopes to the top of the western spur of Dywyll. I was gaining some ground here, but infuriatingly took the wrong path as I started the final descent. I realised the error quickly, and didn't lose any places, but completely blew the chance to catch up with the group of 3 runners in front on the superb grassy downhill sprint to the finish. Average performance, if that, but a very fine event with the usual nice atmosphere.

More Tremadog climbs

Crag: Craig Bwlch y Moch
Routes: Christmas Curry (S:led p.1,2), Micah Eliminate (HS 4b:sec), Rienetta (HS:led), Merlin (VS 4b,4a:sec), Kestrel Cracks (HVS 4c,5a:sec)
One month since my last visit - and this was another classic Tremadog day, in that we dodged virtually all the showers passing over the mountains. It didn't look that way as I merged the first two pitches of Christmas Curry in drizzle which turned to rain at the stance. This was one of the first long routes I ever did, 20 years ago! Nice easy climbing up a broad chimney leads to lovely positive cracks diagonally left to a stance. The rain miraculously stopped as Vic led the Micah Eliminate in full, another long pitch which makes it into a completely different route. Good climbing up a steep crack to immaculate pocketed rock and a traverse right to the arete in a superb position. We took a while to decide on the next route, with some uncharacteristic faffing, mainly because much of the crag was wet. I eventually led up the easy but dry slabs of Rienetta to the Merlin crack, and followed Vic up the layback, traverse and chimney of Merlin p.2/3 (which I've also done before, during a Liverpool University trip in 1993). Delightful sunbathing at the stance, gazing out at showers passing over the Rhinogs and the sea! After this, I led the first pitch of Kestrel Cracks. This is a very steep, very deep crack line. Ultra-safe and juggy, but pretty strenuous in places too. Awkward moves gain a spike and a rest, before enjoyable climbing on excellent holds lead to the final move up a steep wide crack. This was seeping, very wet, so I prudently retreated. Vic had a go and led through, despite the wet it was actually easily solved by traditional back-and-footing! The top pitch has an awkward start up a steep slanting 5a crack, followed by an easier crack to the top. Hard route to grade: at the border of VS and HVS.

Long hilly run

An early morning 20-miler, over the shoulder of Waun y Llyn to Pontybodkin and Treuddyn. Then the enjoyable descent down to Llanfynydd and the brutal climb back over Waun y Llyn. Extended this favourite circuit a bit this time, adding a mile or two on to the end. Felt surprisingly comfortable.

Ras yr Aran

Race: Ras yr Aran/Aran fell race (10.5m/2500ft)
Peaks: Aran Fawddwy
Time/Position: 1:51:17 (13th from 87)
Great to get back on a proper full-on fell race, after all the short road races over winter. I was worried this would be shortened, as it was when I last did it in 2008. But in the event the weather wasn't too bad - just light drizzle, low cloud and windy on the ridge. I deliberately took it nice and easy throughout, as I knew I didn't really have it in my legs after spending several months trying to improve my road speed. As a result, I found the race hugely enjoyable. Trotted up from Llanuwchllyn to the first check on Moel Ffenigl, then into the mist at the steep haul up Benllyn, before enjoying great, wild running along the lengthy ridge to Aran Fawddwy. Some big snowdrifts and rocky sections keep this section interesting, although nav remains simple throughout. I made up some ground on a group of runners in front, although Jez and Simon remained some way ahead, and I kept my place reasonably well on the descent - which was right into the teeth of the wind with Llyn Tegid below as we emerged from the mist. Lovely to be able to enjoy a race for once, rather than being on the limit the whole time!

Waun y Llyn ride and rock

Tried to get an intense intervals session (last night) out of my legs with a bike ride to the top of Waun y Llyn. Whilst there, I had a bit of a bouldering session, with the rock very dry and climbable. These are only tiny problems, and this kind of thing is not really my bag, but I enjoyed the easier V0 outings like The Crack, Lower Groove, Lower Crack and the like. Got quite close to nailing the harder V3 problems, but my time ran out and I still can't imagine taking to this discipline. Around 15 mins from summit to house flat out on the bike.

Bryn Alyn rock and run

Crag: Pot Hole Quarry
Routes: Grizzly (VS 4c:sh), The Watzmann (VS 4c:sh), Selva variant (VS 4c:sh)
The winter conditions in Snowdonia seem to be on their way out now, although I suppose there is always the chance of a late freeze. It's been a remarkable three months: beginning (I like to think) with the heavy snow flurry as we descended from Aran Benllyn on December 17, and ending last week with me sunbathing on the Gribin after the wonderful morning in Cwm Cneifion (21 routes and 10 trips later!). A sharp contrast today: I took a short break from hours in front of the computer with a trip to Llanferres. Roadworks meant a detour to the crag, wading thigh-deep through the Alyn at one point! Intermittant drizzle, so just had a half hour climbing session trying to build finger strength by avoiding the big holds as I shunted these routes - a tactic that was only partially successful. A big Mancunian youth group arrived, effectively forcing me to leave immediately for a run up 'the Beast' to Bryn Alyn, then along the race route to the Eryrys road and back via Big Covert.

Mold border league

Race: Mold 5.2m (border league race 5)
Time/Position: 30:14 (24th from 217)
Felt uncomfortable throughout this race, struggling to maintain a decent pace almost from the start. Woke up with a slightly wheezy chest, which might have been the reason, and also started a bit too fast up the long hill to Nercwys (where I usually gain a few places). Kept it going quite well later on though, and nearly caught a group of 4 or 5 runners on the final 'false flat' mile. Reasonably pleased with my finishing position, although five places down on race three.

Long run

Way behind with the long runs, particularly with two marathons and several big events on the horizon. So it was good to get this 20 miler in with Neil after work. I was slightly tired after the last few days, but it went reasonably well. From HK up to Hawarden, then down to the blue bridge at Queensferry. Then the psychologically devastating leg along the Dee all the way to Handbridge, and back via Saltney and Bretton: 2.5 hours.

Cwm Cneifion snow gullies

Crag: Cwm Cneifion
Routes: Nameless Gully (wII:sol), Easy Route (wI:des), Hidden Gully (wII:sol), Corner Gully (wI/II:des), Pinnacle Gully (wI:sol)
This amazing winter just keeps on coming, day after day of superb conditions and memorable outings. This was - perforce - another brief solo morning, so slightly frustrating in terms of feasible options. That said, the neve and weather is now so utterly perfect that easy snow gullies make a lot of sense. Sick of heavy boots by now, so skipped up to Cneifion in my fell running shoes, carrying the boots. Worked well, as I arrived in the cwm proper just after 8am after 40 minutes of minimal effort. Had the place to myself, as I slogged up to the Nameless face at the top of the cwm. Selected Nameless Gully as one of the few routes I haven't done up here. Although hardly a classic line, this gave wonderful easy climbing on seemingly untouched snow. Sheer enjoyment, with ultra-secure placements on ultra-solid neve, leading to a narrowing and steepening between rock walls and a steepish finish, skirting the cornice to sudden sunshine as I emerged on the Glyder plateau to crystal-clear views in every direction. I then descended Easy Route, steep at the top, before traversing in to Hidden Gully. I last did this in 1993: it is an absolute gem, if a little short. Very popular, so inevitably marred by bucket steps all the way, but it is such a delightful place that it hardly matters. The walls close in as the gully steepens, with sunshine for the last few moves. It was still only 9am, so I had breakfast on the plateau before descending Corner Gully for a change. This was absorbing and enjoyable, and led back down to the base of the cwm. I needed to get home early, and was saving energy for a planned 20 mile run tomorrow, but couldn't resist one more gully so nipped up Pinnacle Gully at the base of the cwm - below the arete. The neve was good even here, although the route is just a walk up to a constriction between two high walls. From here, the gully fans out and I took the steepest exit just to the right which gave more highly enjoyable climbing, mixed in places as I weaved around seeking options to extend the action. I emerged at the bottom of the Gribin and sunbathed for a while before descending to the car. Later discovered I'd been wearing my pyjamas all morning, under my thermals, such was my haste to leave HK at 6am!

Farndon 10k

Race: Farndon 10k
Time/Position: 36:13 (7th from 477)
Just a little too 'undulating' and twisty to allow me to dip under 36m, but a flatteringly high finishing position was some compensation. Not generally considered to be a PB course, so reasonably pleased to get so close. A lovely rural borderland course, with beautiful cold, sunny and still weather throughout. My first time in this race: I felt I kept the pace going quite well during the hilly sections around half way, and finished quite strongly. Kate enjoyed herself too. Finished 2nd V35, but no prize!

Dash in the Dark fell race

Race: Llandegla Dash in the Dark race 3 (4m/750ft)
Time/Position: 29:30 (2nd from 20)
Deja vu here, in that I started off in the lead, just as I did on the second race a fortnight ago. However, within a few hundred metres the young winner of race two sped past me and went on to win comfortably. Some icy patches slowed the descents through the forest, and the lakeside path was rather boggy. But this time I took the new variant through the reeds and heather, within inches of the water, which added a minute to my finishing time. Another difference was that this time I was pushed all the way by Paul S, but pulled away slightly on the final climb to finish second again. Also picked up a prize for second place overall in the series. As ever, a really enjoyable event.

Crib Goch winter traverse

Peaks: Crib Goch
Routes: Crib Goch Traverse (wI/II:sol), East Ridge (wI:sol)
The classic winter traverse in perfect Alpine conditions on St David's Day. Good as that sounds, it wasn't really the game plan for the morning - my sights were set on the Trinities. But after slogging up the Miner's Track from Pen y Pass in stunning conditions of shifting mist and sunburst, it was clear that the snow was too soft and unconsolidated for comfort. I had a look at the gullies anyway, since I'd made the effort. New snow made the going slow as I laboured up the slopes to the Spider, then continued some way into the narrower Left-Hand Trinity (having done Central some years ago) before concluding that there was too much new, drifting snow and descending back to the Pyg track. Crib Goch had looked stunning all morning, unlike the mist-shrouded main peak, and the means of salvaging something from the morning soon presented itself! I left the path, then picked an intricate route to Bwlch Coch up steepish slopes of perfect untouched neve under a deep blue sky: excellent. After emerging at the Bwlch, I climbed the final pinnacle thus getting straight into the trickiest part of the traverse, the exposed ledge. More awkward this way round: it was fully iced-up and therefore interesting. The remaining pinnacles gave entertaining mixed climbing before I gained the ridge: stunning full winter conditions of deep virgin snow on old neve, no footprints, the entire ridge to myself. In other words, a very rare treat and half an hour to savour. After breakfast alone on the sunny summit, watching the mist peel away from an entirely white Carnedd Ugain and dark clouds rolling over Siabod (but me getting sunburned) I descended the East Ridge as the snow softened. Some awkward steps with crampons balling up. I last did the winter traverse, in full conditions, in 1995 - but I don't remember much sunshine. This was therefore a tasty bonus morsel in a winter full of treats.