Diary of a Centre Assistant (CA) - Jodie
Jodie is one of our Centre Assistants. Not only do they keep the centre running, but in the course of their work, they gain skills, experience and qualifications to set them up for a future in the outdoor industry. Jodie has kindly shared a couple of reflections after a trip to Scotland...
“While living in Devon I found myself constantly thinking of North Wales, the mountains, and how much I missed them...
Spontaneously applying for the Centre Assistant role at Plas y Brenin I had no idea what it entailed, only that it would take me back to the hills where I was longing to be. Super-stoked about having been offered the job, I had no idea about the upcoming perks to the role and working at the Brenin.
Since starting, I have completed numerous courses and training, had so much support and gained so much invaluable knowledge from all of the team.
A few years ago I had a thought that one day it would be nice to obtain my mountain leader qualifications but had no idea how I would get the time or funds for it. Regardless of that I began building up all my pre-requisites for the training and assessment.
Much to my surprise and shock, when I arrived, I was booked onto the mountain leader training and shortly after was told to start preparing for assessment!
With my assessment fast approaching I have been working towards obtaining all the “quality mountain days” required for assessment, practicing navigation in unfamiliar environments, challenging terrain, and conditions.
Where better to practice such skills than the remote, challenging and wild landscapes of Scotland?
Having just got back from Scotland after spending almost 2 weeks in the hills, I have managed to obtain some quality mountain days.
In environments I've never set foot in, over challenging terrain, and in the constantly changing and often harsh weather conditions I successfully managed to navigate myself and some friends through the hills.
It was great to get the time to consolidate my skills, and build on the knowledge and tips gained from the team.
From Torridon to the Cairngorms, I got to explore some amazing and remote areas that were new to me... I can’t wait to get back out there and explore some more.”
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Diary of a Centre Assistant (CA) - Haf
The Torridon Classic
When Josh asked if I wanted to "recce" a route for work, I was hesitant—until he mentioned the location. The opportunity to ride in such a beautiful area was too good to pass up. We drove to Torridon and spent the first night at a free campsite. The weather looked bleak, but we were here, and excitement for what lay ahead was all that mattered.
We woke early on Thursday, a promising morning after the previous day's gloom. We packed up camp and drove five minutes to the start of the Torridon Classic. The car park was bustling with climbers and hikers, all of us setting off on our own adventures.
We didn’t know what to expect, other than two brutal climbs, each a 500-meter ascent, and the promise of incredible descents. After a few kilometres on a quiet road, we turned onto a dirt track that snaked through a massive estate. This led to the first big climb. A head injury had kept me off my bike for a year, and I'd lost a lot of fitness, so this climb was a gruelling challenge. The weather, which had been so promising, turned into a hot, windless day under a blue sky. We were forced to take lots of breaks, but the heat also brought out swarms of hungry horseflies.
Despite the challenges, this ride is still one of the best I've ever done. The first brutal climb was followed by an epic descent into Achnashellach. It's probably the most remote ride I've ever done, and while the thought of something going wrong was unnerving, it was exhilarating to access such a wild place by bike. The descent was a perfect mix of technical corners, switchbacks, and dreamlike rock slabs mixed with chunky, rocky sections.
We hit the halfway point in Achnashellach and refuelled with our trusted Lidl bakery pizzas. We were exhausted but prepared for the second climb, which felt like a fever dream. The glaring sun made it the most challenging ascent I've ever faced. I have to thank Josh for his patience; his fitness is on a different level, and the climb was a huge mental challenge for me, but he didn't mind waiting. After what felt like a year of climbing and a 20-minute break in a cold bothy, we reached the top.
The second descent was even better than the first, a seemingly endless series of slabs with a stunning view of Liathach in front of us. It took us all the way down to Torridon, where we stopped at the fancy Torridon Hotel for a couple of pints of coke. The bill was £15 for four cokes, ouch! It was incredible to end our journey at the sea after traversing such a massive landscape. I would recommend this route to anyone looking to get into bigger mountain rides. Remember to roam responsibly, respect the countryside code, and leave no trace.
Tips and Tricks for Hill Riding
Riding in the hills can be both terrifying and truly wonderful. Here are a few tips to stay safe in mountainous terrain, whether you're on a bike or on foot.
Having grown up in the mountains of North Wales, I've had countless opportunities to learn essential safety skills in these environments. I find it difficult to justify going on these big, remote journeys by myself because I've seen the consequences first-hand, but I do occasionally ride solo. When I head out alone, I ensure my phone is fully charged and I have a portable charger with me. I carry a well-stocked first aid kit and a group shelter, as well as a map and compass. I always send my route and estimated completion time to at least two contacts, letting them know when they should worry if they haven't heard from me. My partner, family, and I also share our locations on Life360 as an extra precaution since we all enjoy adventurous, and sometimes dangerous, pursuits!
Beyond emergency gear, I also ensure I'm dressed appropriately and have the right equipment. My bag always contains a puncture repair kit (plugs, patches, a tire boot made from an old toothpaste tube, and a spare tube), a multitool with hex keys, Allen keys, and a cross-headed screwdriver. I also carry a Lezyne Micro Floor Drive pump, a waterproof coat, and extra water at a minimum. Of course, this changes depending on the route, weather, and time of year.
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Paddlers: What’s on your feet?
It's an often asked, and perfectly reasonable question from people new to paddling. How and what do you choose from the large selection of available offerings? Now as with the answer to lots of outdoor questions...
It depends...
It depends on where you are doing most of your paddling and the type of craft you are in / on, this often requires a compromise.
If you are mostly paddling in the UK then most of the time it is pretty cold, so thermal insulation is top of the priority list. This is generally achieved in 1 or 2 ways (or a combination of the 2). This is either through the material the footwear is made from or through wearing thermal insulation on your feet AKA socks.
Footwear made from neoprene is generally the warmest. These can range from around 2mm up to 6mm thick. Obviously the thicker the neoprene the warmer the footwear. Neoprene works best when it has trapped a thin layer of water between it and you. This results in wet feet (which can result in some interesting foot fungus, or worse if feet are not dried properly at the end of each day) so if multiple days are planned then some way of keeping your feet dry is a good option... dry suit or dry suit trousers. Woollen socks work well when wet as do PrimaLoft socks although these are an expensive option. Wet suit socks work well if there is little to no insulation in your footwear and you don’t mind wet feet. Do not wear cotton socks your feet will only freeze.
If you paddle on UK rivers then you will spend a chunk of your time on steep often muddy and slippery banks. If this is the case then footwear with a deep tread pattern to cope with the mud is a good idea. Rubber that works well on wet rock is also obviously a great idea. Noting works well on seaweed... go carefully.
If your paddling destination will be rocky and sunny with not much mud (e.g. California) then something with a less deep tread pattern but lots of rubber to maximise your contact with the rock will work well.
Other things to consider are:
- They need to attach firmly onto your feet so that they stay on should you swim.
- The soles need to be thick enough so you can move quickly over sharp rocks to rescue your mate, without doing the “OO Ah dance.”
- Do you want boots that will provide some ankle support / protection but might be a bit on the clumpy side and be difficult to get into your boat / under a kneeling thwart? Or are you less concerned about protecting your ankles but more concerned about having something flexible and therefore possibly more comfortable?
- Wetsuit boots are often the warmest option but often have very thin soles and or soles that are very slippery, especially when it gets muddy.
- Will they fit with warm socks, wetsuit socks and or dry socks on?
- Will they survive the harsh river / sea environment and constantly being wet and then forced dried by you sticking them on the radiator or in a drying room?
Look and think outside the box, my current favourite water shoes are sold as mountain biking boots.
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