The summit of Ben Nevis..some where
mountaineering
Aka practicing her ice axe arresting
Planning the next navigation leg with contour interpretation
Stephen is preparing for his ML assessment and wanted to practice navigation on steep complex mountain ground. So the course concentrated on contour interpretation on complex mountain terrain. This involves moving about the mountains by identifying features on the ground. This aids very fast navigation on ground where the compass and timings are not suitable tools to use. By building a story board Stephen and Alan managed to walk the entire length of their legs without reference to the map, learning to identify complex areas by their shape. It wasn’t long before they were ticking off these legs every time with accurately using these fast and efficient techniques. Do you want to focus on a particular part of your navigation? We can tailor a course specifically for your needs. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/
Magnificent views across Snowdonia from the top of the Carneddau
The winter walking season is nearly upon us. I will be running some guided walks this winter in Scotland and Snowdonia so if you fancied getting into winter walking drop me a message and we will work something out. Have a look at what’s on offer with Mountaineering Joe. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/winter-skills-walking-and-mountaineering/
The ridges starting to get their wintery feel
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
Great views down the Nant Ffrancon valley
Scrambling out in continuous heavy rain but we were sheltered in Cwm Idwal from the high winds of 60mph! we were climbing on the cliffs of Glyder Fawr which face north east, climbing next to North west Face route and did the continuation slabs above. This protected us from the prevailing south easterlies . But we never ventured to the top because of the wind forecast. Instead we escaped off Glyder Fawr on to Seniors’ ridge and in the shelter of Cwm Cneifion back down into Cwm Idwal. The rock was in good condition allowing for some excellent scrambling. We really got a good mountain day out of nothing considering the weather! For more ideas on what you can do have a look at http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/
The first part of North West Face
This a great day out on a grade 2 scramble. We were scrambling on the right-hand side of the Slabs. The north west face is a series of gigantic ledges with intermediate slabs, ideal of course for lunch stops in between those technical sections . We started just to the right of Idwal staircase and scrambled our way up on the right of the big waterfall in the staircase. Avoiding the wet sections and climbing on good clean dry rock, we had a good scrambling day out. For more info on what you can do on a scrambling day out have a quick look at http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/
Starting the difficult moves up the flake on Milestone Buttress Approach Scramble the crux of the route
Milestone Buttress Approach is a brilliant scramble up the main face on Milestone Buttress on the west side. It is such good scrambling but the rain did come in during the morning! Low temperatures were forecast so we went for Milestone Buttress as it low down in the valley. We were scrambling on the right hand side on the west face of the buttress. We scrambled on a route called Milestone Buttress Approach just right of Pupit route. The rock has excellent friction and full on grade 3 scrambling pitches up the main face. It was a wet and windy day but excellent scrambling. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/
Owen crossing the waterfall on Idwal Staircase
This is a very wet (grade 2) scramble this time of the year with the amount of water coming off the mountain at the moment. Scrambling either side and in a waterfall! The north west face is only broken by one gigantic ledge otherwise it is a series of discontinuous slabs. We started on Idwal staircase scrambling our way up on the right of the waterfall, crossing it to continue up the left side. Just getting very wet crossing it! The scramble continues at the top of the waterfall on the left after the big break weaving its way up to a big wall and passing below it on a steep ramp. We arrived before we knew it, on Seniors Ridge. What a great day out even if it didn’t stop raining! http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/