::definition 4th Birthday.

Just had a great 4th Birthday for ::definition. Pictures from the night can be found on the Hi::def Sound System Page on Facebook. For more info on Music stuff see the ::definition website.

November Floods.

Just getting to Boulder can be an adventure sometimes! Photo from Claire Bennett.

Ghetto Funk Vs Hi::def

Next installment of the versus Hi::def series of nights.

Facebook event page.

A new canoeing experience.

Over Bank Holiday weekend my brother and his family were visiting which gave us opportunity to take my 22 month old nephew out for his first canoe trip on Llyn Padarn. One proud farther, one worried mother and a happy child.

Bugger......Twice.

Managed to get out biking with Kelv a couple of times last week, unfortunately not the most successful of my biking adventures. For the first day we headed out to ride the Pont Scethin route as per the Bikefax book. The book describes it as "an absolute classic and one of the very best rides of its type in the UK". Having now ridden it I can agree that in is an idyllic setting but it seems motorbikes have deeply rutted some of the best sections rendering them tiresome at times for the mountain biker. I for one was was ejected over my handlebars by one such rut as both pedals touched down together.

Staying a bit closer to home we choose the Llyn Cowlyd for the second day, not much more successful as this time I was hell bent on breaking my bike with two fairly major mechanical problems. The pictures below tell the story.

Kelv walking up through the boggy section from the Ogwen Valley to reach Llyn Cowlyd

 My broken rear gears after losing to the rock beside Llyn Cowlyd, single speed bike from here!

 My back wheel having fallen off between Llyn Crafnant and Capel Curig due to bits of the gear hanger missing.

Round Table Abseil

Took some of the lads from Caernarfon Round Table to Abseil in the quarries above Llanberis last Tuesday before heading to the pub.

Top.

 Middle.

 Bottom.

 Next please.

 Who's left?

Plenty done and to do.

As ever it has been very busy at Boulder with plenty of changes going on. Most recently we have redecorated some rooms reduced the number of beds in the centre to a max of 35 to make things more comfortable for all. This summer has also been a first for running mixed family taster sessions, many of the photos from these sessions can be seen on the new Boulder Adventures, Llanberis Facebook page.
In amongst all this work I have still managed some time out with mountain biking taking precedent in the last weeks I have managed to tick of routes at Coed y Brenin, the hills above Llanfairfechan in the rain, Snowdon and Moel Elio.
My mind is now turning to putting on some more music nights through the winter and dates will follow as things get sorted.

Pete on the trail.

 Nicki and Pete making a new friend.

Seiont and Ogwen.

Managed a day out from work last week to go paddling with Matt. All went well but managed a capsize on an easy rapid on the Ogwen. Video of the section on the Boulder Adventures FB page.

Please don't go.

It would be very nice to think that this warm March weather would continue into April but if it is only a short spell of warmth it did give the opportunity to surf and coasteer. It has at least given hope for when the summer is with us.

The evening surf on Anglesey, small but a pleasant none the less.

The swell dropped of with the dropping tide, not bad for after work in March.
The following evening coasteering at Rhoscolyn, the first of the year.

Krooked First Birthday.

Had the Hi::def Sound System out last night for the Krooked First Birthday with Buggsy in Rascals, Bangor. Buggsy a Bristol based MC put on a great show, see more of his Bris Ting here.

After Work Blast.

Only been me in the office this week so have kept myself busy. Felt I should treat myself so ran away a little early for a quick bike through the quarries joined by Simon. Descent was a bit slower than normal due to the hail shower just before we started of downhill, wet slate with patches of hail keeps you guessing. Best of all only one puncture.

Simon looking for lines above.

Mending the evenings puncture with Snowdon in the background.

Building Bridges.

Below are the pictures from the latest bridge building problem solving activity I have been putting together for Boulder Adventures.

The less stable leg build.

The solid leg build.
Complete bridge in use.

The return trip.

Moel Eilio.

Last week Pete and Nicky visited, hill walking was on the agenda. The criteria for the day was to walk out of the centre, so no cars, not Snowdon and stay out of the clouds. The cloud base was forecast at 700m and possibly rising so we chose Moel Eilio via Telegraph Valley, Foel Goch and Foel Gron. I now look forward to the decent of Moel Eilio on a bike looks good fun.

Telegraph Valley on the way up.

Between peaks.
Moel Eilio just in the cloud.

Llyn Padarn Improvements?

Who knows maybe we will see even more improvement to our lake! The fishermen seem to be leading the way for future developments and an increase in water quality. This story suggests a change of tune from the EA. BBC news story.

Not a Problem.

After starting the year working with Princes Trust Teams and apprentice training courses February sees a little time to start putting together some new events. I have been spending lots of time designing development courses, one course for a car manufacturer and another for apprentices.

Martyn and Claire experimenting in the car plant.

Me playing with ropes in the garden at Boulder Adventures.

RUN TINGZ CRU Vs Hi::def Sound System

On Friday 17th February I have got the Run Tingz Cru from Bristol joining us on the Sound System, expect a big Jungle night. Facebook event page.

Start as I mean to go on.

After being busy working over New Year it has been good to get out during the last couple of weekends and catch up with friends. Sunday the 8th managed a quick rundown the Lower Tryweryn with Ben, great level to progress his paddling and having not been there for so long found it nicer than I remembered.The weekend just gone I managed to see my old partners in crime Pete and Kelv, we managed a couple of days in the hills one on foot one on wheels. Saturday a fantastic day on Pen yr Ole Wen. Sunday was spent on the hills above Llanfairfechan but not sure where as we dropped down on the wrong track running out of time to put right our mistake. Consequently had to return via the North Coast cycle way rather than through the hills.

The view from near the top of Pen yr Ole Wen.

Kelv having 5 minutes on the way down.
Pete making sure the world is ok without him.

The Orme in the background trying to work out where we are.

Given up and returning back to the van in the cycle way above the A55.

Happy New Year.

The New Year saw me back at work with guests staying; they had a good party last night, I managed to finish by 2.30 which is pretty good. The group where all into their music so we had the party in the training room with the mini system pumping old school dance tunes. A good time off has been had over the Christmas break visiting family and friends for Christmas itself, returning to Llanberis for a sound system night with the Krooked Krew boys and a morning on the river with Matt.

A busy Rascals for Krooked Krew Vs Hi::def.

Matt on the Seiont, the grade IVish bit for his second go after stopping on a rock the first time.