mountaineering

MTA Mountain Skills Scheme Course places available: May 3/4th

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Now there's a mountain path!

Now there’s a mountain path!

Mountain skills is a 2 day 1 evening weekend course where we look at all the respects required to walk in the mountains. Handling steep ground , weather, mountain navigation, outdoor kit, emergencies and what to put in your rucksack. You will spend the weekend on some exciting mountain walks discussing all aspects of walking. You will get unlimited technical help from where to walk to the latest kit for as long as you want it so you can keep developing your skills

Route finding in the mountains

Route finding in the mountains

This is an ideal way to gain the confidence to tackle the harder routes like Crib Goch in Snowdonia
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountain-skills-courses/

The Welsh 3000s Challenge (14 peaks Challenge)

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Looking across to the summit of Tryfan

Looking across to the summit of Tryfan

To complete the Welsh 3000s Challenge you are required to have been at the top of all 15 of the mountains over 3000 ft in Wales within 24 hours! The walk is 24 miles, but by the time you get off, it is more like 30 miles. How difficult is it? Not as tough as you would expect as once you are up high the peaks are not so tall! It is however, much harder than the “Three Peaks Challenge”. You have to have a fair degree of fitness in the mountains to enjoy it.
It is rocky in places, and both descend and ascend are demanding. Navigation can also be problematic in bad poor visibility conditions. You can do the walk over 2 days using a fully equipped mountain hut.
The Welsh 3000s as challenge, walk or experience is second to none! Contact me if this interests you and I can arrange something which suits you.
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/mountain-challenges/welsh-3000s-14-peaks-challenge-in-24-hours/
Crib Goch ...a great start to the day!

Crib Goch …a great start to the day!

Wild camping on Snowdon

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What a sight to wake up to

What a sight to wake up to

What a great view to wake up to. With wild camping in Snowdonia you get to wake up in the most beautiful places! http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/mountain-skills-course/
Looking around Cwm Tregalan on Snowdon

Looking around Cwm Tregalan on Snowdon

Tony, Fenella and Hunter on a Mountain Skills and Navigation course in Snowdonia

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Tony Fenella and Hunter with Adam and Eve

Tony Fenella and Hunter with Adam and Eve

The course was to get a feel for the mountains practicing complex route finding on steep ground and to brush up on navigation skills. We spent the first day on Tryfan using contour interpretation to navigate and how to read the rock in order to route find effectively. We approached Tryfan from the east up on to Heather Terrace then up the south Ridge to the summit. On the second day went walked on the Carneddau, up to Pen Yr Ole Wen via Cwm Lloer and traversed along the horseshoe ridge you can see from the road. We practiced pacing and timings whilst taking compass bearings. We discussed all the necessary outdoor kit required for the mountains from boot to hard shells. The weather held for us and we had a great time!

Tony, Fenella and Hunter in the Nant Ffrancon valley

Tony, Fenella and Hunter in the Nant Ffrancon valley

http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

MTA Mountain Skills Course just completed by Nick and Chris

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Nick scrambling up a steep arete

Nick scrambling up a steep arete

MTA Mountain Skills Course just completed by Nick and Chris

Nick and Chris got the most out of the mountains last weekend. Mountain skills is a weekend course where we practice skills in order to venture in the mountains. Everything required to look after yourself is covered from handling steep ground to what to pack in your rucksack. You will spend the time in the mountains discussing all aspects of high level walking. You will get unlimited technical help for as long as you want it 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!
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountain-skills-courses/

Nick and Chris navigating in bad weather

Nick and Chris navigating in bad weather

Scrambling whilst practicing short roping techniques.

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The main Crib Goch ridge in the background

The main Crib Goch ridge in the background

Geraint and Rob wanted to develop their scrambling experience in the mountains and also learn the rope techniques required to develop their scrambling. So we spend the first day scrambling looking at safe and efficient roping techniques required in order to move fast across this type of ground in the mountains. They had the opportunity to put all these roping techniques in to use on the second day by leading a scramble themselves using direct and indirect belays they had learn on the previous day. I have never seen two people move so efficiently on their day out using short roping. It was good to see they had picked up and remembered everything from the first day! http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/

Success! Finishing the Crib Goch Ridge

Success! Finishing the Crib Goch Ridge

Mountain Skills Course

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Exposed scrambling on Crib Goch

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

Planning the next navigation leg

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

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Amazing water falls due to the snow melting

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/

Winter Navigation practice in the Cairngorm mountains.

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Taking a bearing is harder in winter with gloves!

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.

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Walking up Coire na Ciste

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.