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Preparing for Mont Blanc, on a Alpine Essentials course in Plas Y Brenan.

Back once again to Plas Y Brenan. This time to attend a course on Alpine essentials in preparation for an ascent of Mont Blanc next year.

We spent the first day indoors, discussing all sorts of stuff about the alps from guide books to hut etiquette and weather.

Here Caroline talks about equipment.

One the 2nd day, we went to the Ogwen valley and did rope practice.

I actually got to meet Louise Thomas, who works as director of climbing at pyb.

Here, Denis and I practice walking while roped.

Before we setoff up the hill, there is time for a quick photo of me roped up.

I always seem to stick out one of my legs when I am being photographed, not sure why.

A brilliant view of the ogwen valley, while Louise talks to use about absieling and retrieving the rope afterwards.

Once again, the course was excellent and I had a brilliant time.

There was another instructor on my course called Twid, who taught me how to do a prussik rescue.