Rocks and Dogs

Steve and I taught two REC Level 2 Mountain First Aid courses to the military last week. We had a great time and wish all the best to these guys.

Yesterday I was dog training in the Ogwen Valley with the SARDA Wales. Cluanie and I had two good searches. The only downside for the bodies (the people who hide for us to find) is that Cluanie has a very loud indication. When she finds a body she then barks very loudly both with them and back at me when she returns to tell me. There has been a request for ear plugs!

I am now on an excellent Geology course learning more about the Geology of Snowdonia and getting many surprises about the rocks. Steve in the meantime is busy working on converting our van into a camper van which will help both on holidays and when we teach away from home.

Later in the month we are running two Walking Group Leader Training Courses for the FSC (Field Studies Council). We also have  Mountain Leader Training and Assessment courses running in October.

First Aid for Environmental Expedition

At my last First Aid course I had Theresa and David Werney as clients. They are from the United Arab Emirates and are about to embark on a round-the world tour. I have posted a link to their blog as they include a write up of their course:
http://www.pnsfexpedition.com/?p=537

Midge free and sunshine Scotland

Steve and I have just returned from a wonderful two weeks of summer weather in Scotland. Even the midges were behaving themselves and leaving us alone.

The first two days were more cloudy and wet giving some incredibly atmospheric conditions such as over Loch Maree near Slioch.

After an initial two wet days, the weather changed to British Summer Time or maybe that should be Continental Summer Time.

We climbed two Corbetts in northern Torridon (Ruadh Stac Beag being one of them). The wind was bitter for the first week but that meant walking conditions were ideal. And our boots actually stayed dry!

One of the highlights for me was climbing Sgurr Dubh and Sgurr nan Lochan Uaine. I had attempted these two mountains years ago but having parked at the Ling Hut car park and walked to Loch Clair along the road had to retrace my steps when I found the stalkers were in the Glen I was supposed to be ascending. This time we were luckier. Tilly, not so: the curse of Torridonian Rock affected her feet and by the time we had summitted the first peak she had several bleeding nails.

Steve and I had to take it in turns to wait at a tarn with Tilly while the other headed for the second peak alone.

The Van is now on its way into being turned into a camper van although there is still quite a way to go. Having an awning certainly made a huge difference on the few wet days that we had, but I am looking forward to the full conversion with cooker etc inside!

Having had several more days in Torridon which meant that I was able to head up the north end of the Beinn Eighe ridge, we then headed south for Loch Arkaig.

 Here we were able to have two more big hill days which both involved two Corbetts a day, and for me one of the highlights was a swim in a mountain pool on the descent of the last day. After a rather hot and sweaty day it was blissful to cool off in the plunge pool of a waterfall; Nature's natural jacuzzi!

Incredibly over two weeks, our boots only got wet on the first two days. From then on it was a pure delight to be able to take off dry socks and boots each night!

Sadly it was then home time; and what a sizzling drive south! However, as I made my way through over 8 loads of washing the rain returned and so put a dampener literally onto the washing which was hanging out on the line to dry overnight!

On Friday, Steve and I took our first MLTA Real Mountain First Aid Workshop. It was a very enjoyable day with a lovely group. We will definitely being taking more in the future.

Cluanie has a find and Helen goes to Doncaster

At the weekend Helen joined the Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team for several callouts on Snowdon. One really pleasing result was a find on lost walkers with Cluanie on Saturday evening. Three walkers phoned in to say that they were lost in very poor visibility and were on steep ground on the South side of Snowdon.

Cluanie heads out into the mist!

 Cluanie found them and lead Helen and the team into their location. Well done, Cluanie. This is her second Search dog find. Have a read about it on Grough website or bbc news wales
 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-13918735

On Sunday evening after a blisteringly hot day, Helen headed across to South Yorkshire to teach three days of First Aid to De Warenne Academy in Conisborough. This was to prepare Duke of Edinburgh students for their expedition. Thankfully the weather cooled down a little for the last two days of the course.

Steve has been busy leading outdoor activities for a school group including walking up Snowdon and gorge scrambling in the Afon Ddu.

Busy summer (and wet!)

Steve and I headed off up to Scotland for a week. We really picked our dates: the journey up coincided with the 'hurricane' force winds that struck Scotland. It was sad to see so many trees blown down by the winds.
We had a few days walking in Lochaber, being rained and snowed on and blown around the mountains before heading home for our next JSMTC Mountain First Aid course.

Then Cluanie and I had our helicopter training with the Search Dogs. Cluanie who is a very chilled out hound took an intense dislike to the big yellow budgie and tried to dig herself in under the seats once on board.

I try to brief Cluanie on helicopter protocol

If everything else fails, try bribery and corruption. Body Emmer entices Cluanie onboard with a toy!

Cluanie and I being winched

This last week Steve has been Assessing on Snowdonia First Aid's first Mountain Leader Assessment course. The weather yet again was not kind!

This last weekend I attended the North Wales Mountain Rescue Fatal Incidents Training Course. It is a course in how to deal with fatalities in the mountains and the police protocols. It was a very interesting course with excellent instruction by North Wales Police. It is the type of course that you hope you do not have to put into practice in a hurry.

Today Cluanie I had a glorious walk over the Carneddau while we marshalled for a charity event. The views were fantastic; the only really proper summers day we have had for a week.

Outdoor First Aid for the Military

Today Steve and I completed our first Outdoor First Aid courses for the Joint Services Mountain Training Centre. This is an exciting course for us as it goes beyond ordinary Outdoor First Aid. We certainly enjoyed our time on the courses and are looking forward to future courses and developing the contents further.

ML Assessment and First Aid Assessments

Steve and I received an email this morning to inform us that we had passed the Advanced ECMR (Emergency Care in Mountain Rescue) exam at the weekend along with five other members of the Llanberis Team. It was a rather gruelling assessment with three practicals or scenarios: medical, trauma and airway management. This was followed by two written papers!  Needless to say it felt like being put through a wringer and the news this morning was very welcome!

On the Saturday we both attended the Mountain Rescue England and Wales training day at Plas y Brenin which ran several useful and interesting workshops.

At the moment there are still two places available on the Mountain Leadership Assessment running 15th to 19th June. Get in touch if you want a place.