Idwal ice climbing

Crag: Cwm Idwal
Routes: The Ramp (wIII/II 2,3,1:led p.1,3), The Curtain (wIV 4:sec)
Despite the prolonged cold snap, the ice routes in Idwal were the only realistic option today. There's been no freeze-thaw, so the snow remains soft and unconsolidated and any designs on more unusual routes (ie. those I haven't done before) had to remain unrealised. Prevailing conditions were pretty dire, too, but it was the last opportunity to get out before a rapid thaw sets in. Mick and I left Ogwen Cottage in persistent rain and low cloud, prospects grim. A fair amount of soft snow led for slow progress up to the crag, where we found the Ramp - unusually - free of crowds. I thought it would make a good warm-up, as I haven't swung an axe in anger for almost two years (unless you count the rapid dash up Corno Nero last July). I led up the left-hand variant start, steep powder leading to good ice which took screws, then more good climbing to regain the normal route higher up. Sadly, strong winds had blown a large volume of powder on to the route - and clouds of spindrift funnelled down the gully intermittently. It made this easy route better and a little harder than when I have done it in the past, however, as it was not hacked out. Mick led the steeper second in hard conditions of driving wind and spindrift, very atmospheric, which got worse as we turned the corner. We topped out in clouds of windblown powder snow, which combined with driving falling snow to make for a challenging and unpleasant descent! Cold and wet, we retrieved the sacs, warmed up, and decided to top-rope the more technical Curtain before finishing. This takes a beautiful chandelier of ice above the Twll Du path, and was well formed with good ice build-up. With my archaic strap-on crampons and straight axes the route was at my technical limit: a steep start leads to a ledge, then a sort of ice-tube between two huge stalactites leads to the top. This section was much steeper than similarly graded ice pitches I've done in the past - the classic grade IV South Gully for instance - and I fluffed the final pull-up. Still, it made for a good workout and it certainly warmed me up. A soggy and windy walk-out led to a wet Ogwen. I then drove to Cadole via St Asaph and attempted the normal Friday run up Famau in steady snow. Drifts near the fingerpost were draining, so I adapted a different 7 mile circuit before retiring for a pint. An hour or two later, an extraordinary blizzard hit the Welsh border, but (very) luckily I was at home in front of the fire by then.

Hope Mountain Run

Thick snow falling at first light, so it seemed like a good opportunity to get out into it for a longish jog from home to the top of Waun y Llyn and along the ridge. The snow wasn't really forecast, at least not an unrelentingly heavy dump like this, but I love running in falling snow so thoroughly enjoyed the outing. As I ran up to the top of Waun y Llyn, all the trees were draped with snow, which became very deep on top. The mist was down, unsurprisingly, and I experienced near white-out conditions along the ridge - a hazardous mixture of soft snow on top of a layer of ice! It was quite hard to locate the paths under all the snow, but I managed it, and did a little traverse before heading back home via Hope. The snow fell even more heavily on my return.

Twin Piers 10k

Race: Twin Piers 10k (Llandudno-Colwyn Bay)
Time/Position: 36:35 (6th from 275 [2nd V40])
What a difference a year makes! Whereas a strong tailwind propelled me and presumably many others to PBs in 2012, this year a bitter easterly headwind made life rather uncomfortable. I ended up with a very slow time, 2.5 minutes down on last year, but finished higher up the field (6th compared to 11th last year). I always enjoy this point-to-point race, though, having done it maybe five times: and did a reasonable job of pacing it in difficult conditions. In many ways it was a miracle the event went ahead, as all of Wales was under a blanket of snow except this little green coastal fringe! I deliberately held back along the prom and up the Little Orme, before picking up a few places through the housing estate and into the worst of the headwind at Rhos prom. Kate soldiered on to finish in around an hour.

Birkenhead Border League

Race: Birkenhead Park 5.5m (Border League race 4)
Time/Position: 31:10 (14th from 295 [3rd V40])
After my unfortunate fall in race three at Christleton, my main aim this time was merely to stay upright. I quite like this four-lap course, though, as you can judge your effort quite precisely and I enjoy the twists and turns and gentle climb back to the finish. The park itself is very nice, too, the inspiration for New York's Central Park no less. I was well off the pace initially, but eked out limited energy supplies and pushed it a bit on the third lap to gain a few places. As with a few other recent races, my time and position was the same (as in, exactly the same, to the second) as it was on my last outing on this course in 2011.

Pot Hole climbing

Crag: Pot Hole Quarry
Routes: Murren (HS 4b:TR), The Watzmann (VS 4b:TR), Unaided (VS 4b:TR), Major (HVS 5a:TR), Vetta (E1 5a:TR), The Dog (HVS 5b:TR)
So very mild at present that it seemed worthwhile getting out for a couple of hours exercise to keep the climbing ticking over. Unsurprisingly, I've lost a lot of forearm strength over recent months, so this was a good reminder to do something about it! Vic and Mick were already at the crag when I arrived mid-afternoon. I've been climbing here for at least 22 years, and the routes are so horribly polished now that top-roping seems excusable. Nipped up and down a few of the VSs, and enjoyed the crisp footwork on Major before beginning to lose strength alarmingly quickly on old favourite Vetta. Lunged my way clumsily to the top before doing the same on The Dog: all a bit discouraging. Just a short run today after the full Famau run with headtorches last night. Will try for a brisk 10-11 miler tomorrow to get the holiday fortnight mileage up as close as I can to Peter's magic 100 mile target.

Llandegla biking

MTB Route: Llandegla Blue Circuit
Distance/Climb: 12k/200m
After our disastrous last attempt at this loop in October, when M suffered a major mechanical failure, I was keen to take him back at some point this holiday. Despite a bit of drizzle and a lot of mist, this was a far more successful outing. Festive treats helped M's morale on the long climb out of the woods, and he then really enjoyed the smooth singletrack descents of True Blue et al. Muddy and heavy going in place, unsurprisingly, but he seemed a little quicker than last time. After a drink in the cafe, I dropped M off at home, and picked up E for a walk up Moel Famau. More mist, but again a very pleasant outing with festive snacks on top. A brisk 10k outing later on completed an enjoyable tripartite day.