Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
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Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog is the diary of an outdoor pursuits instructor. Gwilym Starks is based in Somerset but can often be found in Scotland during the Winter months. He documents his trips, experiences, and the insightful observation he makes during his travels and presents them here in simple, interesting ways.
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
Even though things winter is slowing thawing, we were able to get into Number Two Gully high up on Ben Nevis where conditions are hanging on. The whole days was spent in mist and the route was a little soggy in places but that didn't stop lots of learning taking place
Working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
With high winds and rain forecast up high, I headed into Glen Nevis with Ben and Robin to look at some ropework and mountaineering skills on The Gutter (Diff) and some other simple mountaineering ground. This has set us up well for whatever adventure we can get on tomorrow
Working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
Day 2 and Mustafa and I headed back to The Morraines to look at all things snow anchors.
We dug (and tested) snow bollards, buckets seats and buried axes as well as re-visiting footwork and cutting steps.
Working for Wet and High Adventures Ltd
  ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
An unexpected day off following a chance meeting with my cousin Will yesterday led to us both going out for a Scottish Ski Tour (this includes, grass, mud, gravel and snow). Using some patches around The Lecht we were able to skin up some unused areas before finding a piste that was not too patchy to descend.
In all honesty, the day was more about a catch up and lunch rather than expecting primo skiing conditions but all in all a nice day to spend a day off ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
The last 2 days I have been on an Association of Mountaineering Instructors CPD weekend.
On the Saturday I was on a Avalanche workshop where we looked at some snow science and what to teach to what skill level
On Sunday I was out looking at Short Roping skills and developing some other techniques to broaden the options available ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
Ah. Scottish Winter, you were missed last year.
I arrived in Scotland yesterday to rain and high wind but today was very different, cold, dry and a bit less wind.
Today I just went for a walk into The Northern Corries to see what was what and where they snow currently was. I have been looking at the weather and avalanche forecasts for the last week or so to give me a heads up of what to expect.
I now have a weekend of AMI CPD and then the first Wet and High Adventures clients of 2022 on Monday. Looking forward to it ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
Out with good friend and general boaty play mate Olly on SUPs on The Lower Dart. A really nice day on the river trying to stay upright on SUPs (I still find eddy lines tricky).
After getting out we even had time for a high speed run down The Loop in kayaks before coffee, pasty and brownies ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
I have just got back from a Lowland Leader Assessment in Lincolnshire. Thanks to Darren for working with me and well done to the 5 new Lowland Leaders who copes with some very wet and windy conditions over the two days.
One of the best things about doing courses out of my immediate locality is that the candidates always teach me things about their local area ..read more
Gwilym Starks' Outdoor Adventure Blog
2y ago
I switch across to the Mountain Leader Training course today to work a day with them. It was wet, and by wet I mean very wet!
After a morning inside talking all about weather, route planning, remits and hazards we headed out into Cwm Idwal to see what the reality was like. Swollen streams and rivers, difficult walking conditions due to wind and so wet underfoot.
Still, a bad day outside is better than a good day inside ..read more