Climbing Rope work techniques and abseiling in the Snowdonia mountains

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Good stance organisation is essential for multi pitch climbing

Good stance organisation is essential for multi pitch climbing

A day out learning and practicing rope techniques for climbing in the mountains. We spend the day setting up belays and safe ways to Abseil off a route if the weather comes in. We covered so much including leading with appropriate rope systems for on multi pitch routes, stance organisation, Location of you on a stance, rope preparation, Belay systems, and abseiling.
We discussed a lot of climbing issues such as double vs Single vs twin ropes for routes, Safety of climbers on stance. Efficient changeover at belays, stance can accommodate everybody/organised such that the leader can move off with the minimum of fuss and disruption, leader and second stacked in climbing order (e.g. leader at top/outside; second at bottom/inside), leader on stance at side they will move off from for next pitch. Leader/second clipped in without crossing ropes Sort ropes out so leaders rope on top of stack (back coiled). Tying into anchors (single and multiple): linking anchors with sling Vs tying into anchors, clipping ropes and extending runners. Belay direct and in direct. Abseiling from rock anchors, backing up anchor for first person down. Cows tail on harness for clipping into belay, the use of friction devices and the use of the French Prussic.

What a day!

In reach and out of reach anchors

In reach and out of reach anchors

A family adventure day out with the kids in Snowdonia, North Wales

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Learning to climb is such great fun

Learning to climb is such great fun

We had a great day out climbing in Snowdonia. One the first day we went rock climbing and the kids just loved it. It is so different to what they had been used to. What looked impossible when they started seems easy by the end. They improved so fast in the end they completed everything I gave them as a challenge, I couldn’t find a harder problem so they were winding me up! It was amazing! On the second day we went up the mountain Tryfan which is a real mountain where you have to scramble in places and they loved it! It has a real peak and excellent views from the top, assuming of course you get a clear day! It’s a real goal to summit and when you get here you feel like you have achieved something.
If you are looking for something different to do have a look at http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/ and contact me for a special personalised weekend. Personal guiding for the family is £300 for the weekend included all the technical equipment and, you will do so much!
Just so relaxed!

Just so relaxed!

Climbing outdoors for the first time -Single Pitch Climbing at Holyhead Mountain

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Hanging on in order to solve the crux move
Fancy learning to lead outdoors. Get your season off to a flying start with our Rock climbing courses. We got a great out at Holyhead Mountain. It was just warm enough to get some classic routes in. We started on Mrs Murdoch, New Boots and Panties, Laceration, Teaser, Cursing, and ended up on C’estla Vie as the day warmed up! Nice to get a good day in so early in the season. If you have been on the indoor wall and fancy transferring your skills to the outdoor have a look to see what we have to offer. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

Abseiling safely

Abseiling safely

Guided Snowdonia walking days out for groups around the Snowdonia national park.

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Magnificent views across Snowdonia from the top of the Carneddau

Magnificent views across Snowdonia from the top of the Carneddau

Mountaineering Joe offers some great mountain days out on Snowdon and the surrounding mountains in Snowdonia, including the Carneddau and the Glyders. If the weather is too bad for high level mountain adventure then the Anglesey Coastal path offers so spectacular scenery at this time of the year. So if you have a group who want to venture into the mountains have a look at what mountaineering Joe has to offer for groups . http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/

Walking Holiday treks in the Picos de Europa Sept 2014

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Mountaineering Joe is once again adventuring out into the Picos De Europa for Sept 2014. There will be 3 trips. The first will be gentle valley walks where there is not too much height gain during the day. The second type will be day walks to a few summits on the massifs which require walkers to be fit. We will return to the valley at the end of each day. Finally there will be multi day walks, where we stay in mountain huts over a period and 3 or 4 days. So join us for some of the best mountain views in Europa. For more information on what we offer have a look here http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountain-holidays/picos-de-europa/ and feel free to call for a chat about what you would like to do in the Picos de Europa!

Such magnificent mountain ranges which are all very accessible

Such magnificent mountain ranges which are all very accessible

Eric and his group had a good day out on a guided Walk in Snowdonia, North Wales

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Beautiful fine views across the Snowdonia range. On the final approach to Snowdon.

Beautiful fine views across the Snowdonia range. On the final approach to Snowdon.

Guided walking in Snowdonia, North Wales. A beautiful day out walking on Snowdon with Eric and his group. If you want to do the same and trek some of the classic walks in Snowdonia why not book with Mountaineering Joe for your trip / day and get the most out of your time here. I can even arrange private bunkhouse style accommodation to cheap your costs down. If you have a group that you need to arrange let me know. For more background information see http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/

Sunset coming off the Carneddau- end if the day

The Welsh 3000s Challenge in under 24 hours

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The famous Cantilever stone on the summit of Glyder Fawr

The famous Cantilever stone on the summit of Glyder Fawr

The Welsh 3000s. A Great but very hot day. Kathy took on the challenge and was not put off by the soaring temperatures we have seen over the last few weeks . She was very determined to succeed. We were up by 2am and left the car park at 3am in the morning and was off the mountain at 10.30 at night. She flew over Crib Goch , Carnedd Ugain, and Snowdon at a good pace, down to Nant Peris in the valley to the backup team for refuelling where she started the gruelling walk up out of the valley to Elidir Fawr. From here it was plain sailing crossing the Glyders, flying up Y Garn, Glyder Fawr, Glyder Fach and over to Tryfan and back down into the Ogwen valley. The final big ascent did not put her off as she powered up to Pen Yr Ole Wen in afternoon sun which started to see temperatures in the high 20s. Pretty exhausted now she continued to finish off all the remaining 7 peaks over 3000 feet , including Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn, dog legged to Yr Elen and then Foel Grach, Garnedd Uchaf finishing on Foel Fras until the sun was dropping fast. An excellent performance under tough conditions! Well done Kathy! It possible to do this challenge over 2 days click here for details

pete climbing lorraine

Climbing on Dinas Mot in the shade made for a good day.

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Very delicate climbing, but good gear

Very delicate climbing, but good gear

Climbing in Snowdonia, Llanberis pass on the Mot. Pete and I climbed Western Slabs and Lorraine, two excellent VSs in the pass and it was nice to be in the shade. Click here for more information on climbing days out.

The southern Snowdon horse shoe

Team ‘RASEY’ from Mercedes-Benz in the Netherlands summit Snowdon.

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The joy of making it to the summit of Snowdon.

The joy of making it to the summit of Snowdon.

The Dutch Party – ‘Team RASEY’ (Rap, Anouk, Si, Eric and Yvette) from the Netherlands came to Snowdonia, North Wales, to complete a challenge and a team building weekend.

Arriving on Saturday afternoon they went straight out to have a go at climbing having never tried it before. After 4 routes on Tryfan Bach (Little Tryfan) they abseiled down the rock face a few times.

On the Sunday having never been on a mountain before, they summited Snowdon via the Rhyd Ddu path, returning down the Snowdon Ranger path. This is one of the more difficult routes up and down Snowdon.

On the ascent looking back towards Rhyd Ddu they had wonderful views of the valley and Llyn y Gadair and Llyn Cwellyn, with Dyffryn Nantlle through the pass between the two lakes. On the horizon are the summits (left to right) of Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn, Mynydd Drws y Coed and Y Garn, with Mynydd Mawr behind Llyn Cwellyn.

At Llechog ridge around Cwm Clogwyn, they all dug in as they saw the steep ascent ahead, zigzagging their way up towards Bwlch Main. At the top of the zigzag section the path is very narrow. This is the rocky ridge of Bwlch Main (Narrow Pass) with steep drops either side.

It was a weekend buzzing with ambition, determination, motivation and excitement! It was a pleasure to be out in the mountains with Team RACEY.

We are happy to arrange corporate, private guiding or instruction to suit requirements. Contact us to make a booking enquiry.