Heading up the weekend for Plas y Brenin was British Mountain Guide Phil Dowthwaite, who along with his merry band of top PyB instructors and guides worked flat out to make sure the weekend was everything it could be.

Phil commented:

"It's great to see the centre packed full of so many psyched people!"

The workshops and lectures took place on climbing walls, small rock buttresses on the PyB grounds, in class rooms and on some specially built outdoor facilities. Topics covered ranged from training, climbing techniques, walking in crampons, building winter belays, knowing where to go and when, indoor training and map reading in winter, plus many more.

On top of all the instruction and great food and accommodation, there was a 'goody bag' of free outdoor gear for everyone on the course.

The goody bag was made up of an Outdoor Research waterproof cap, Petzl quickdraw sling, Petzl grip tape, Teko socks, Rockfax guidebook and an Exped drybag.

Roger Chaldecott from Lyon Equipment was on hand with a selection of top of the range Petzl ice axes and crampons for people to try out, plus a stand of La Sportiva boots to show what is on offer.

At the end of the weekend the centre was on a real high note and visitors and staff left the building ready to tackle the coming winter. Lets just hope it snows soon!

A huge thanks from UKClimbing.com to the PyB staff, Roger Chaldecott from Lyon, and everyone who came on the weekend!

PHOTO GALLERY: Big Winter Climb Weekend 2011 - are you in there?