They might be small but The Lake District has excellent crags and mountains

With my planned winter work well out of the way I'm now looking forward to the transition into the summer season.  With winter still stubborn in the mountains I will still be carrying axes and crampons on some of my objectives.  No light weight summer bag just yet.  I have been looking forward to 2016 I turn 30.  As do several of my friends and between two birthday weekends last month, one at a beer festival in Stuttgart and a surprise party down south, I have been trying to regain some rock climbing fitness, see friends and family and do a little exploring.  Whilst being in the Lakes we managed to get some days climbing at St. Bee's, Langdale, Borrowdale and near Thirlmere.  The nice weather has been surrounded with wet days so I have made use of The Ice Factor, Kendal Wall, Keswick Wall and Ratho.  Unfortunately, I'm weak as a kitten after winter.  The new wall opening in Fort William might help build up a little strength for the coming climbing projects this summer.

Can't go to a German beer festival without wearing a Leiderhosen and drinking a few Steins

Another course done, another signature in the book

Whilst in the Lakes, I embarked onto my first training course (after the inductions) to become a IFMGA Mountain Guide.  The course, Rock One Training, focussed on all aspects of British summer mountain guiding.  It was a great week with a wide range of fellow candidates, some with instructing and guiding backgrounds and some new to the concept of managing and guiding novices.  I have been asked to write a course report on the week which will be put on the new British Mountain Guide website soon so feel free to have a read.

Mountain cragging on Pavey Ark

We had fantastic weather

The milestone of turning the big 30 this year will be marked with some interesting climbing trips with friends, family and clients, both old and new.  I hope we all have dry rock and full chalk bags.  I left my camera up north so only have a couple of picture of my phone.

Bouldering ayt St Bee's whilst the crag dried

We were pretty lucky with the weather

Got very close to this little fella

Kenny and I had a short window to head down to the Lakes for a spot of climbing.  As Kenny hadn't done a great deal of climbing in the area we tried to get to several different crags and get some of the classics done.  Today we headed to Borrowdale and started off at Black Crag and climbed Troutdale Pinnacle Superdirect (HVS 5a) which is a great way up the crag.  I really wanted to climb Prana but unfortunately it was soaking wet.  It was super windy here so we opted a slightly lower crag and headed over to Quayfoot Buttress and climbed the classic Mandrake (HVS 5a) and then the Go Between (E2 5c).  Just as we got back to the bags the heavens opened so we bailed to the Shepard's Cafe for a slice of cake and coffee.  Eventually the crag dried up so we nipped round the corner and climbed The Bludgon (E1 5b) and Finale (HVS 5a).  All these routes are absolute classics so I was happy to do them all again and must do's if you visit these crags.