Mark Demmery - 140002

Day 1
ML assessment. Another opportunity to assess, working with Mark J. This was a steep ground day with 3 group members. We made our way into the area of Y Gribyn. It was felt Karl could do with a couple of nav legs as he was very unwell on the exped phase and struggled to shine. His nav was confidant and accurate, so we switched to Harveys maps and navved onto the flank of Y Gribyn for some steep ground group management. The other 2 candidates did very well. Karl had already declared he was very nervous on steep ground, so I stayed nearer to him. He was at the back for the first push, up into a small grassy gully.
After 5 or 10 mins of swearing and kicking like a mule to find a foothold, where everyone else had just moved on through with no difficulty, Karl yelped and clutched his side. We managed the injury for the rest of the day. When given the opportunity to lead Karl was always at the back , following the groups lead. He had no confidence in his ability and obviously no experience of moving through mixed boulder and grass terrain. His injury played no part in his lack of ability/control/confidence over this ground.
After gaining the ridgeline of Y Gribyn we made our way up onto the Glyders. Karl movement was hampered by his injury, but his movement through the boulders was poor.
He led the first leg of descent, choosing a good route to the west of Pinnacle ridge, he appeared slightly more confidant in descent, although still led from the rear, getting the others to recce his route choice.
The other candidates were fine on descent so after a couple of legs each and with time moving on and rain predidcted at the end of the day , I gae the other 2 candidates the scenario of helping an injured group member off the hill. The other 2 did well, but it took us a couple more hours to descend, finishing late and getting soaked.
Day 2
Technical talks and rope work. Mark and I moved around the area the groups were working, ensuring we both saw everyone manage an ascent and descent with a rope as they saw fit. Again Karl wasn't particularly strong on the steeper ground. There was also another candidate who had been weak at every thing and could tell us nothing on the subject of altimeters. Mark had her in his group on the steep ground day so I made sure I watched her for the first part of the morning. She was very poor. An interesting day for me, I was able to work alongside Mark and discuss what we were seeing.
Day 3
Training day on Tryfan
Strong winds and rain forecast so we made our way up to the cannon and then dropped onto Heather terrace and out to stay out of the worst of the weather. A great day to demonstrate decision making, group spotting and general chat on all ML subjects covered.