private guiding and instruction

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

, , ,
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.

, , ,
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).

, , ,
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

, , ,
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.

, ,
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.

, , , ,
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/

Guiding/Leading Climbing in Llanberis pass, Snowdonia. Clogwyn y Grochan.

, ,
Good Bridging stance

Good Bridging stance

We did a series of routes along that wall. Brant Direct which is a well protected HVS following a crack with continuous bridging and jamming all the way up. Our second route was Kaisergebirge wall another excellent HVS which follows a rising traverse with great exposure. We then finished the day with phantom Rib a superb 3 star VS which has an excellent second pitch. An exposed rib with small holds which gets more exciting as you progress. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

Climbing Faith, on Idwal Slabs in the Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia.

, ,

Lovely slab climbing

Lovely slab climbing

Considering the weather forecast we had a great day out climbing Faith on Idwal slabs. The route had some exposed moves but all with good friction so it was ideal to do in the wet. It’s an excellent climb to practice belay building and it has bomber gear placements! It is not as well climbed as some of the other routes and it certainly isn’t as polished as Charity or Hope. The first 4 pitches are continuing interesting with an easy scrambling final pitch! Then a few pitches of scrambling to get off. For more information on what you can do with Mountaineering Joe have a look at http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/

Guided walks in the Snowdonia park, North Wales on the Glyders range.

, ,

Cloud lifting above us

Cloud lifting above us

We had great day out walking on the Glyders in Snowdonia. We walked through Idwal valley and up through Devil’s Kitchen into Cwm Cneifio then up to Glyder Fawr where the clouds started to come in. We walked around to Glyder Fach passing Y Gribin and Castell Y Gwynt. We continued along the ridge and eventually into Cwm Tryfan and passing through Bwlch Tryfan around the back of Tryfan into Cwm Bochlwyd. We were expecting worse weather then we got. The Rain never came and besides being in a white out on top at times it was a great day. Particularly when it cleared for a few minutes when you than got beautiful views across Snowdonia. If you would like to find out more information on guided walks in Snowdonia have a look at the walking section on Mountaineering Joe. Click here http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/ .

Guided Walking in Snowdonia on the lower slopes of the Carneddau, in North Wales.

, , ,

Ogwen valley in the distance with Tryfan

Ogwen valley in the distance with Tryfan

It was an good walking day trekking up to Llyn Cowlyd with beautiful views across the Nant Ffrancon valley. We started around the Helyg and took a good path to Llyn Cowlyd, coming down towards Capel Curig and finally back along the old A5 track up the valley. A gentle walk with great views across Snowdonia. Come walking in Snowdonia with Mountaineering Joe, have a look at our walking days out. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/walking/