A Quick review of the weekend.
Gerry, Mem, Gareth, Mick, Andrew, Barry, Bernard, Vikki, Steve Richmond and I. So at minimum wage that would be c£3,000 for staff alone.
More climbers than walkers this weekend, a first for quite a while.
T1 Training, T2 Training and Assessment, Top rope permit and RCI. Wet weekend to say the least. The sun made a brief appearance on the Saturday afternoon and glorious Monday.
There were 11 folk for training and 3 for assessment with 2 gaining their permits.
All groups worked with the bad weather and had a great time.
Minor Incident
One walking customer went home after breakfast Sunday due to hurting their knee. This has been entered in to the near miss (pink) book and the route card for the day for any future requirements. They hurt their knee in a slip Saturday but didn’t tell anyone until after breakfast Sunday. It was not a preexisting injury.
RCI
Off to Tremadog for the Saturday and they must have driven under the incoming front so missed most of the weather. A good time was had by all.
The RCI course was being moderated on the Sunday so Mick, Steve Richmond and the group went to Betws to escape the worst of the weather. It actually turned out nice if a bit greasy on the rock. Good feedback from the moderation so a big thank you to all that made this happen.
There were some surprised looks on the RCI clients faces Saturday evening, although extremely competent climbers the safety side was an enlightenment for them. That ebay climbing kit that was a bargain doesn’t seem to be such a good choice after all.
Sunday evening in to Monday.
RCI group return on time and still eager. One group went bouldering and the others got an evening session of knot tying and extra top tips whilst using the bolts in the porch.
Monday was a quick breakfast, tidy the hostel and leave for the climbing wall. A good session covering all things wall related and including lead climb lower offs. Steve and I learnt a lot!
All participants debriefed individually and happy with the course. 4 strong trainees who will have no issues in qualifying.
A quick look at what it takes to setup and run a course
This is for the RCI as an example.
All starts with picking dates, checking to make sure in the main they clash with school holidays, fathers day and other key moments in the calendar. This is not the aim but always seems to happen. Money bags Bernard costs the courses which is why claiming your expenses correctly is really important so we know what each course actually costs. Kev R then sets up the course on BookWhen, takes all the bookings from the clients, updating the website and manages the payments, Murray and Steve Rich setting the course up on MTA CMS, Mick for the pre-course paperwork to the clients and logbook checks, Steve giving the hurry up to those being light on logged experience through to Mick, Steve and Vikki running the actual course. And in the meantime we try and get folk to share transport to get to Hafod. Then there is the post course paperwork on CMS…
There are the other unsung hero’s to, our nearest and dearest keeping our families on the straight and narrow while we are away enjoying ourselves. It’s a big machine. A lot happens before and after the course not just that seen by the clients. A resounding thank you to you all. So when we look at external staff costs we think they are ok for the contact time but when you factor in the pre/post course work are bumping along the bottom. We aim resolve this as best we can.
Top Rope Permit
At London Rock Saturday and got wet in the morning but dried mostly by the time they got back. Sunday, off to Capel pinnacles. Presumedly for a quick get away when the worst of the weather strikes again.
Woohoo no rain, then the midges came out, wishing for rain returned PDQ. Thanks to brother Gareth, sister Vikki and apprentice Andrew. Yes, Vikki has been a busy bee despite the trauma of being her first time away from son Will. Oh yes, she also cooked a mighty curry Sunday and was the chef Monday too. Swiss Army knife Vikki.
Walking Permits
T1 and T2 out on either ends of the Glyders and encountered some interesting weather on the Saturday. With more persistent rain forecast off to Idwal and Bochlwyd for navigation by both groups on Sunday. Night nav along with all the other sessions were back on time apart from one group who let us know they were going to be late. Brilliant.
One of Gerrys group had the legs walked off them despite said legs doing half the work of Gerrys.
Foot the ball
As you know I’m not a football lover but I would have paid to be in Barry’s and Bernard’s group on Sunday. Barry was avidly watching the footy Satuday evening, happy with outcome, all good, go to bed. Wake to the news of the next round, Netherlands vs England. Spicy.
Pick your sides, I’m with Bernard. He pays my expenses. Sorry Barry.
Ropes
There were two climbing groups out. There was a shortage of ropes on Sunday in the confusion of the post breakfast hurry-up. Can we please sort the gear especially ropes the evening before so this doesn’t happen.
Food
Excellent food as ever by Mem ably assisted by kitchen slave, Gareth. Gareth managed to be in the kitchen, do climbing and be backup LIC (I needed to leave early). He shared many hats as did Vikki.
Gear Log
The updated gear on line log is working much better. We must make sure that what you have logged out stays with you and doesn’t end up with another group.
The Paper Mountain
The route cards, risk assessments and other parts of the paper mountain were filled in to a high quality, thank you all.
Ian B has helped further clarify my numpty water temperature testing questions, the LIC documentation has been updated.
The Roof and NT
I visited the NT to continue the negotiations on tree planting around Hafod and possible cess pit woes on Friday. Louise came to survey the ongoing never cured leaking roof above the four bed dorm. First roofer appeared Sunday for a butchers.
Climbing Gear
We need more. Vikki to sort which type and how many. Colour may be towards the blueish end of the spectrum.
The Kitchen
Please ensure all cupboards are locked after a course. Due to some confusion, they were left open after the last course and a none Hafod group helped themselves. Resulting in cost, confusion and embarrassing shortages.
Mugs
Mem had fun being the mug pixie this weekend and had a never ending battle rounding them up. She won despite their cunningness to hide in some odd places. Can you encourage the clients to keep hold of them and reuse or wash and leave on drainer or at least put in the sink please. There was even a cold cup of tea in one of the traps.
The Germans
Apprentice Andrew picked up a couple of hitch hikers on Friday who camped on the lawn in a rather cheap festival tent in a deluge Noah would be proud of. This tent they bought a year and a half into a five year trip with no money or any of our usual trappings such as mobile phones, stove, knife, mug, sleeping mat, plate, waterproofs, change of clothes, brolly, deodorant, matches… They are a part of a guild from medieval times called the “Wanderschaft” which still exists in many parts of Europe. They work their way round Europe for cash after passing their trade. Their clothes/outfits were striking. Baggage was one beaver pelt covered box and a bag on a pole.
Their minimalist approach was enlightening. They had nothing but were happy if not a bit niffy. There is something to learn here. We paid forward on this one.
Fire Alarm
False alarms again despite some enthusiastic hoovering by Bob last course. Looks as if a minimum of three times now. Fire Alarm folk in in a couple of weeks to sort.
Other stuff. Please help
We are working on a five year plan for Hafod as far as spending goes for ScoutsCymru. One of the items is the refurbishment of the lounge. Ideas please on what we can do. We will be insulating the two outside walls as we have else where but it is the decoration. How do we modernise it whilst keeping the feel of a mountain hut. Ideas so far is to include one section to have Tee nuts so we can put up different things to assist with the courses such as hangers and gear placement holds.
Any other bright ideas are welcome.
