March 2014 - Mountaineering Joe | Walking, Rock Climbing, Snowdonia, Wales, Scotland, Winter, Navigation, Courses

Mountain Skills Course

Adventure Holidays, Mountaineering, Scrambling, Snowdonia, Walking

Exposed scrambling on Crib Goch

This course is essential to really get the most out of the mountains. Mountain skills is a 2 days and one evening course where we practice and discuss everything needed to venture on your own in the mountains safety. Looking after yourself from navigation to what to pack in your rucksack. You will spend the time in the mountains discussing all aspects of high level walking, from personal kit to handling steep ground. You will get technical help whenever you need in the future to keep developing your skills. What an ideal way to make sure you are safe in the mountains and to have the confidence to tackle harder walks!

Mountain Skills Courses in Snowdonia

Planning the next navigation leg

Walking on The Northern Anglesey Coastal path between Traeth Dulas and Benllech

Isle of Anglesey, Private Guiding, Walking

A rugged coast line in places along the top coast but with good paths

We had a great out walking on the north coast of Anglesey between Traeth Dulas and Benllech with its stunning beaches and coves. There is always something new to see with the ever changing coastline from rugged cliffs to laid back quiet beaches. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/anglesey-coastal-path/

Peaceful quite beaches on the top coast of Anglesey

Walking in Glen Nevis, Lochaber, West Highland, Scotland.

Private Guiding, Walking, Winter Walking and Winter Skills

Amazing water falls due to the snow melting

With 50 to 60 mph winds forecasted, we had to choose a walk which offered some protection from these high winds. Walking up Coire Mhusgain and around the side of devils ridge in to Sgurr a’ Mhaim and return into the valley. This route offered a fair bit of protection from the wind coming in from the west. It also avoided the potential avalanche ground on the North faces which are getting worse due to the rise in temperatures recently. We could see the damage left by some of the previous avalanches. The size of the rocks coming down with the snow! You just would not want to be there at that time! The streams also were difficult to cross at times with some impressive water falls! A great day out! http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/

Hill Skills Course Available from April 2014

Uncategorized

Fantastic waterfalls

This course develops Lowlands skills, which is idea for young people starting to enjoy the outdoors on moorlands and in the valleys. Everything required to look after yourself is covered from navigation to what to pack in your rucksack. You will spend 2 days out in the outside walking discussing what to do when, personal kit, and you will get technical help whenever you need in the future in order to develop your skills.
What an ideal birthday present! Get yourself prepared in the outdoors with Mountaineering Joe !

Hill Skills Course Outline
• Developing an understanding of how to plan low level walks.
• Becoming familiar with the use of a map and compass.
• Understanding the weather on the hills and how this differs to normal forecasts.
• Dealing with emergencies while out walking.
• Learning about the upland environment.
• Course review and feedback.

How it all works

Mountain Training, is the official UK body that oversees training for qualifications and personal skills in the outdoors.
All participants are required to register with Mountain Training. (http://www.mountain-training.org/walking/awards/hill-and-mountain-skills).
Registration:

This is a one-off cost and allows access to either or both courses. Cost: £20 per person (£17 for 14 to 18s) This allows:
• Access to unlimited technical advice from Mountain Training
• You enter your walks into their logbook so you have a record of everything you have done (optional but great if you intend to take the outdoors further!)
• You will receive copy of the ‘Safety on Mountains’ handbook
• You Register/book a course on their web site

You then book a course via their web site. My courses will be listed under Mountaineeringjoe.
Following this link for further details: http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/mountain-skills-course/

Once registered you can then start logging your days out immediately if you want to. When you are ready to book a course this can be done via the mountain training web site. I will be able to see your log book and then be able to tailor the instruction personally for you. Once you have attend the course then a certificate of attendance after the training course will be send to you.

Course requirements and equipment
• You will need clothing and footwear that is appropriate for mountain conditions.
• Hill and Mountain Skills courses require a minimum of 2 persons to run.
• Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information contact Mountaineering Joe or visit mountain training. Remember if you have a group of 4 or more then I can personally arrange a course date to suit you and bunkhouse accommodation for £120 pp during the week.
Get yourself prepared in the mountains with Mountaineering Joe.

The course develops skills in countryside and moorland areas and these will be applicable to many walking areas in the UK and Ireland. This is ideal for parents who want to build their children’s independence by allowing them to plan the walks. You will feel confident that they know how to look after themselves in the future whilst walking in the hills

Winter Navigation practice in the Cairngorm mountains.

Mountaineering, Navigation and Map Reading, Private Guiding, Uncategorized, Winter Walking and Winter Skills

Taking a bearing is harder in winter with gloves!

A day out practicing Navigation on the Cairngorm plateau. Which really has to be more of the most difficult places to navigate in bad weather.
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

Winter Walking in the Cairngorm mountains.

Mountaineering, Private Guiding, Uncategorized, Winter Walking and Winter Skills

Walking up Coire na Ciste

It was a lovely day really crisp with clear views across the cairngorm mountain range ! But the wind was about 30 mph but so cold, the wind chill factor must have made it -10 degrees but it was worth it! Walking on the Cairngorm plateau was just so beautiful when it is like this.

Winter walking climbing Snowdon, in Snowdonia national park

Adventure Holidays, Mountaineering, Private Guiding, Walking, Winter Walking and Winter Skills

The Snowdon horseshoe

We had beautiful winter conditions on Snowdon but the weather came in during the afternoon. Just shows you how it can all change. We Walked up the PYG track which is sheltered from the wind with some excellent views of the Snowdon horse shoe on the way. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/

Patey’s Route IV, 5 Winter climbing at Sneachda in the Cairngorm.

Mountaineering, Private Guiding, Winter Walking and Winter Skills

Patey’s Route crux pitch

The base of the route was banked out with snow but the first ice bulge was good but thin with the snow was powdery so pulling over did not feel so secure. The crux pitch was also thin on ice but made for some good climbing. An great route.

The Prodigal Principal V,5, winter climbing at Sneachda in the Cairngorm

Mountaineering, Private Guiding, Winter Walking and Winter Skills

The Prodigal Principal V,5

The route was well banked out with snow at the bottom, but the two pitches were excellent particularly the top pitch which is an ice up gully with some hard moves to enter it. A good day!

Want to improve your navigation? Try our contour navigation approach to finding your way around.

Navigation and Map Reading, Private Guiding

I can see what is going on when I understand the contours of the landscape

Do you find it hard calculating routes from a-b using compass bearings, timings and pacings, and a storyboard based on map features like walls, boundaries, cairns or sheepfolds etc. This method of navigating has such a complex story board that it requires constant referring to the map and compass. Complex pacings and timings, not conducive to a comfortable walk in the hills and an interesting conversation with your companions.

Want to be able to navigate with your map and compass, for the most part, zipped inside your pocket. Navigating using contours can simplify your navigation on most days being able to identify complex train around can allow you to put simple story board together so you can navigation with your map in your pocket and actually speak to people in your group!
Have a look at what you can do http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/