rock climbing

Giving time to think about the crux of Tennis Shoe is worth while.

A Great day out leading multi-pitch climbing Tennis Shoe on Idwal Slabs, Ogwen Valley, Snowdonia, in North Wales.

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Learning to remove gear while hanging on is important when climbing outside.

Learning to remove gear while hanging on is important when climbing outside.

We had a great day out practicing some multi pitch climbing on Idwal Slabs. Bud wanted to do more than just easy slabs all day. So we climbed Tennis Shoe which has a short but harder crux towards the top. It’s a great route for practicing placing gear without being too far outside your comfort zone as it has good foot placements, where you need them. It is worth while taking your time over the crux on routes before you commit to making the hard moves, as it can be to difficult to reverse these if you get it wrong! If you are looking to develop your leading techniques have a look at our learning to lead climbing courses, where you will get very personal and tailored teaching. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

Ray scrambling on the East face of Tryfan in Snowdonia, North Wales.

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The final steps on the North Ridge of Tryfan

The final steps on the North Ridge of Tryfan

Ray scrambling on the real mountain in Snowdonia, Tryfan. Ray wanted to catch the end of the summer with some scrambling. We approached Tryfan from the east side walking up to Heather Terrace. We then scrambled up Nor Nor Groove (Grade 2), reaching the top of Nor Nor Gully on the North Ridge (Grade 2). We continued to the top of Tryfan scrambling on the North Ridge. The weather was great and we got some excellent photos. After summiting on Tryfan we decided to descend Tryfan via North and Little gullies (Grade 2) back down to Heather Terrace. Little Gully is an excellent Grade 2 scramble. So we ended up with 2 good scrambles up Tryfan and a good scramble back down. For more information on what scrambling you can do, click on http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-scrambling-courses/

Route finding

Instruction in Trad climbing – Leading To lead in Snowdonia, North Wales

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Placing gear whilst leading

Placing gear whilst leading

When learning to lead on trad climbs, there is a lot to think about above actually climbing. Route finding, placing gear at the right time, getting into balance to place gear, keeping your ropes tidy, protecting your second, setting up belays and the rest. Then you have to climb the route! Learning to do this correctly first time and in a safe environment. Here is Jim successfully leading his first route leading entirely on his own in 2 days of teaching showing a lot of confidence. Have a look at http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/ and get it right first time!

A great day out in Cwm Las area on Diffwys Ddu climbing Lubyanka (E3 5c)

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The final pitch on Lubyanka, a bold run out above the quartz band

The final pitch on Lubyanka, a bold run out above the quartz band

A great day out in Cwm Las area on Diffwys Ddu climbing Lubyanka (E3 5c). It feels very bold for its grade particularly the final pitch. An excellent mountaineering route over 4 pitches. The final pitch on Lubyanka, is a bold run out above the quartz band.
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

Duncan on his first multi-pitch lead showing organised solid rope work and good gear placementss

Teaching learning to Lead multi-pitch trad Climbing in Snowdonia, North Wales

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Duncan on the first pitch of Crackstone Rib in Llanberis Pass

Duncan on the first pitch of Crackstone Rib in Llanberis Pass

Sarah and Duncan wanted to extend climbing knowledge having been climbing indoors and having done some outdoor bouldering. They were familiar with indoor top roping. They wanted to develop the skills needed to go off safely on their own and undertake single pitch trad climbing. They had booked 3 days with Mountaineering Joe on a 2:1 bases. They soon got to grips with the rope work and gear placements and made such good progress that by the end of the 3 days they lead comfortably a multi-pitch route in Llanberis pass.

If you would like to extend your skills set to multi-pitch climbing have a look here

All stacked up on the Wen Slab ledge

Climbing on the Anglesey Sea Cliffs in Wen Slab Zawn.

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All stacked up on the Wen Slab ledge

All stacked up on the Wen Slab ledge

A great day out climbing on the sea cliffs of Anglesey in the Wen Slab Zawn area. We got there early just before it got crowded ..After climbing we had lunch on the viewing platform to watch the other climbers. One party climbing the route A Dream of the White Horses and another starting the route Wen. I think there might be congestion soon as the two routes cross each other. The Gear is good but the belays are all semi hanging..not many big ledges! If you have fancied feeling the exposure and excitement of sea cliff climbing then have a look here to see what is on offer … http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

Luca making this so easy!

Adventure for Father and son at Rock climbing. Single pitch climbing in Snowdonia, North Wales

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Look at that smile!

Look at that smile!

Nick and his son Luca wanted to try something different so they contacted me about an adventure day. So I arranged some climbing on real rock. I set up a top rope so Luca could play safely around on the rock trying out rock climbing for the first time. Nick got a chance to learn how to look after his son on the rock too. Once Luca started climbing we couldn’t stop him. He had such good time we had to tell him the park was closing in order to get him to stop! See what MountaineeringJoe can do for you ….http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

That big smile! Says it all

Personal Adventure Holidays in North Wales and Snowdonia

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Paul and Joe at the first belay

Paul and Joe at the first belay

Father Paul and his son Joe wanted an adventure day out while on Anglesey. So we went climbing on the Anglesey Sea cliffs at Rhoscolyn. Joe really enjoyed the atmosphere and excitement of the those crashing waves below us while we climbed on easy excellent rock. An really great day was aided by the weather of course! For more ideas on what you can do while in North Wales and Snowdonia see http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing/ or click here. Call Joe to have a chat about what can be arranged for you!

Bridging out over the crux on mental Block VS 5a

Learning to trad climbing in a single pitch environment on Holyhead Mountain, Anglesey, North Wales

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Leading on the route Cursing VS 4c..moving around the corner

Leading on the route Cursing VS 4c..moving around the corner

A day spent trad climbing in a Single pitch environment on Holyhead mountain, on Anglesey, North Wales. A day was spent practicing placing gear and setting up belays. Holyhead mountain is an ideal environment to practice this. http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/rock-climbing-courses-snowdonia/

Grooved Arête : The final pitch....

Climbing on Grooved Arête on the east face of Tryfan

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Grooved Arête : Completing the Knight's move on small holds

Grooved Arête : Completing the Knight’s move on small holds

We were climbing in the Ogwen Valley again with excellent weather this week . Paul wanted to do Grooved Arête a 3 star climb which deserves a Severe grading but HVD. The Knights move certainly can catch people out who are pushing their leading grade. The climbing is inspiring and never lets you off the hook. But it’s mountaineering at its best! If you are interested in extending your climbing adventures by trying multi pitch mountaineering routes then try our Intro to Multi-Pitch Climbing course, and make your climbs more adventurous!