scrambling

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/

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

Fancy doing the Welsh 3000s?

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Tryfan looks magnificent from the Carneddau range

Tryfan looks magnificent from the Carneddau range

This is the ultimate Snowdonia extended ridge adventure. Traverse the three main mountain ranges, the Snowdon Massif, the Glyderau and the Carneddau. Summit all of Snowdonia’s peaks over 3000ft in 24 hours, from Snowdon to Foel Fras. Traditionally known as the 14 Peaks Challenge, with various route options, the total mileage covered from start to finish is in excess of 30 miles. A support team is provided on the day. The traverse of the Welsh 3000’s is a serious undertaking. Have a look at what you can do http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/mountain-challenges/welsh-3000s-14-peaks-challenge-in-24-hours/

A good day out considering the weather, scrambling in Cwm Idwal, in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia

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Great views down the Nant Ffrancon valley

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/

Below Senior’s Ridge on the North West Face scrambling, Idwal Valley, Ogwen, Snowdonia.

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The first part of North West Face

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/

A good day out Guiding on a scramble in the Nant Ffrancon Valley on Milestone Buttress, (Ogwen Valley Area) Snowdonia called Milestone Buttress Approach (grade 3).

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Starting the difficult moves up the flake on Milestone Buttress Approach Scramble the crux of the route

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/

Scrambling on the North West face of Glyder Fawr, Idwal Valley, Idwal Staircase and the continuation on the slabs above. Snowdonia

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Owen crossing the waterfall on Idwal Staircase

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/

Scrambling on East face of Tryfan on Bastow Buttress Variant (grade 2/3), Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, North Wales.

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Carla chilled out on Bastow Buttress Variant in the sun!"

Carla chilled out on Bastow Buttress Variant in the sun!”

This is a truly excellent scramble which is the first full on scramble you come across on Heather Terrace on the east face of Tryfan. It starts on the buttress which provides the right hand wall of first proper gully you encounter on the terrace, Bastow Gully. The grade 3 scramble weaves its way up the east face arriving on the North Ridge just below the best scrambling before the summit. So if you are looking to summit Tryfan this is an excellent way up. The buttress itself consists of a series of rock ribs mixed in with heather ledges moving between grade 2 ground and exposed grade 3 sections. Carla and Darren had a great time out really enjoying the harder grade 3 sections. See http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/for more information on what you can do.

Looking down into Cwm Idwal.. We has the place to ourselves!

Guided day out scrambling in Cwm Idwal, in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, North Wales.

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Very wet but happy...a good day!

Very wet but happy…a good day!

We had a great but wet day out in Cwm Idwal scrambling just right of Idwal Slabs on the North West face. We started on the North West Face Route on the slabby face just pass Idwal staircase, on excellent friction rock. When we arrived at the break which is half way up the cliff and then we continued up on the left via a series of grooves and ledges until we arrived at Seniors Ridge. There were streams coming down! Wet but warm for the time of the year. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/