Menna Pritchard – Contributor

Menna Pritchard

It’s a shame I didn’t get into climbing as a child, growing up just a few miles from the famous southern sandstone of Harrison’s Rocks and Bowles. Since moving to Wales two years ago, it’s only this last year I would finally feel ok calling myself a rock climber.

Having spent my early twenties in PR, and more recently being a full-time single mum, I am now studying for a degree in Outdoor Education at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David. It was quite a culture shock getting back in to uni life! But the course has been utterly refreshing, covering topics such as; Outdoor Education Philosophy and approaches, Outdoor Leadership Skills in mountain craft, rock-climbing, kayaking/canoeing, mountain biking, coasteering etc, The Natural Environment & Eco-systems, Impacts of Outdoor Recreation, Expedition Planning, Problem Solving and Evaluation – to name just a few! Through the degree I am also working through my NGB’s with the goal of MIA/IML qualifications.

When I am not playing outdoors with my daughter, and studying hard - I am busy playing hard! I am lucky enough to have the Pembrokeshire and Gower sea cliffs within easy reach, as well as the Brecon Beacons National Park on my doorstep. I try and get up to North Wales as often as I can.

I also work as a freelance Instructor at a number of outdoor activity centres in South West Wales.

My passion is trad multi-pitches, although this summer I got to experience the ease and speed of sport climbing in Orpierre, France, with its generous bolting and labelled routes!

I love to blog and tweet about my favourite crags, my favourite gear, and the people, stories and experiences that take me out of my comfort zone and continually inspire me to push my limits.

You can find me online at: