walking

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!

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/

Holyhead to Trearddur Bay: The sea slowly carving up the rock

Anglesey Costal Path: Holyhead to Trearddur Bay section which is a truly impressive rugged part of the coastline.

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Holyhead to Trearddur Bay: The light house at South Stack

Holyhead to Trearddur Bay: The light house at South Stack

Rodney and Olie have been walking the costal path for a while now and wanted to explore a section of the coast which runs above the high cliffs between North and South Stack starting at Porth y felin (the other side of Holyhead). It passes North stack, Holyhead mountain and continues to South Stack and around the coast to Trearddur Bay. Some of the most rugged coast line to be seen on the island. Rodney and Olie described it as the most impressive part of the coastline he had seen! It is truly impressive with views far out to sea and around the coast. See http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/anglesey-coastal-path/ for more information of how you can enjoy the coastline with a guided walk with MountaineeringJoe.

Looking at the east side of Senior's Ridge

Grade 2/3 scrambling, Ogwen Valley, in Snowdonia on Direct Approach to Senior’s Ridge and Cneifion Arête

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The top of the chimney on Cneifion Arête

The top of the chimney on Cneifion Arête

We were Scrambling in the Ogwen Valley in excellent weather this week . Paul wanted to do Cneifion Arête an incredible grade 3 scramble but It starts a long way up in the hidden valley, Cwm Cneifion so we added in Direct Approach to Senior’s Ridge a grade 2 scramble to get to it, which really made a good mountaineering day out! If you are interested in extending your walking adventures, trying more ambitious walks then try our introduction to scrambling days, which is scrambling for walkers and make your walks more adventurous!

Getting out of the wind on the Carneddau at Carnedd Llewelyn

Welsh 3000s Challenge Over 2 days

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Inspecting the Bothy at Foel Grach

Inspecting the Bothy at Foel Grach

Tony wanted to the Welsh 3000s challenge over 2 days. Tony decided that he wanted to take on the challenge at a more relaxed pace over a longer period. So we arranged a stay on route at a mountain hut overnight in the Ogwen Valley, before the final walk on the Carneddau. This worked out well, and a solution that really allowed Tony to enjoy the whole experience without having to complete it in the dark. For more information on doing multiday challenges click here</a

The southern Snowdon horse shoe

Team ‘RASEY’ from Mercedes-Benz in the Netherlands summit Snowdon.

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The joy of making it to the summit of Snowdon.

The joy of making it to the summit of Snowdon.

The Dutch Party – ‘Team RASEY’ (Rap, Anouk, Si, Eric and Yvette) from the Netherlands came to Snowdonia, North Wales, to complete a challenge and a team building weekend.

Arriving on Saturday afternoon they went straight out to have a go at climbing having never tried it before. After 4 routes on Tryfan Bach (Little Tryfan) they abseiled down the rock face a few times.

On the Sunday having never been on a mountain before, they summited Snowdon via the Rhyd Ddu path, returning down the Snowdon Ranger path. This is one of the more difficult routes up and down Snowdon.

On the ascent looking back towards Rhyd Ddu they had wonderful views of the valley and Llyn y Gadair and Llyn Cwellyn, with Dyffryn Nantlle through the pass between the two lakes. On the horizon are the summits (left to right) of Moel Hebog, Moel yr Ogof, Moel Lefn, Mynydd Drws y Coed and Y Garn, with Mynydd Mawr behind Llyn Cwellyn.

At Llechog ridge around Cwm Clogwyn, they all dug in as they saw the steep ascent ahead, zigzagging their way up towards Bwlch Main. At the top of the zigzag section the path is very narrow. This is the rocky ridge of Bwlch Main (Narrow Pass) with steep drops either side.

It was a weekend buzzing with ambition, determination, motivation and excitement! It was a pleasure to be out in the mountains with Team RACEY.

We are happy to arrange corporate, private guiding or instruction to suit requirements. Contact us to make a booking enquiry.

View - Abrahams Bosom Anglesey

Anglesey Walking Festival – Guided Walks – 25th May to 7th June 2013

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The fabulous Anglesey Walking Festival is on from 25th May to the 7th June 2013. Experience, beautiful isolated coves and beaches, rugged sea-cliffs, undulating expanses of sand dunes and tidal estuaries to hedgerows, woods, farms, marshlands and ancient pre-historic sites (standing stones, hut circles and burial chambers).

Title: Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path Walks
Duration: Your options are for 1 day, or 2 day mid-week walks – guide basis only.
Cost: £30 per person, per day. Please enquire for our group rate.
Group Size: Minimum of 4 up to a maximum of 6 clients per guide.
Location: Isle of Anglesey, North Wales.

Anglesey Walking Festival – Mountaineering Joe guided walks dates: 28th and 29th May, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th June 2013.

See our walking pages for more details and the Anglesey gallery for a selection of photographs. We are happy to arrange private guiding or instruction to suit requirements.

Contact us to make a booking enquiry.

Guided walking on the Anglesey Coastal Path

A fantastic coastal walk on Anglesey

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Ray and friends enjoy a walk along the Isle of Anglesey Coastal Path. The day started at South Stack in blustery, cold conditions. Eventually the sun came out, waterproofs came off and we enjoyed a glorious walk to Traerddur Bay.

Theresa says: “I would like to thank Joe for a fantastic coastal walk, wonderful guide, would highly recommend Mountaineeringjoe. Roll on August for our next adventure.” Isle of Anglesey Coastal Walk – 4th May 2013

See our walking pages for more details. We are happy to arrange private guiding or instruction to suit requirements.

Contact us to make a booking enquiry.

Carnedau in full sunshine

A fine walk across the Carneddau

Walking towards Carnedd Llewelyn

Walking towards Carnedd Llewelyn

A beautiful walk across the Carneddau, in perfect sunny weather. Rodney, Keith and San having a great day out. We started out by an accent of the ridge Pen Yr Helgi walking the ridge with great views across to the Glyders. Around to to Carnedd Llewelyn, and then walked down to Carnedd Gwenllian following the ridge out pass Drosgl and down to Bethesda.
Have a look at our midweek and weekend guided walking here

Spectacular views from the Rhyd Ddu route - Snowdon

Walking on Snowdon – Snow, Ice and Sunshine

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Today we enjoyed a glorious mountain day walking on Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa). Two classic routes, an ascent of 895m (2,936ft) via the Rhyd Ddu path and descent via the Snowdon Ranger path, completing our walk back to the Rhyd Ddu car park by taking the footpath across marshes, fields and the remains of the old slate quarry.

Initially the ascent is gradual (to get you warmed up!). It gets steeper and rockier and this is sustained. Today in the winter sunshine we had a spectacular view of Llyn y Gadair, Llyn Cwellyn and Dyffryn Nantlle through the pass between the two lakes.

From the exposed Llechog ridge we had fabulous views of Cwm Clogwyn and its three small lakes of: Llyn Glas; Llyn Coch; and Llyn Nadroedd.

After the zig-zags, we reached Bwlch Main. This is a narrow and rocky ridge with steep slopes either side. It was covered in snow and some ice but not enough to require crampons. However, when we reached the point above, where the Watkin Path joins the Rhyd Ddu path, crampons made progress to the summit easier, as there are sections of thick ice on this final rocky section.

Descending from the summit care was taken on icy sections of the path at Clogwyn Du’r Arddu and Bwlch Cwm Brwynog. Again crampons make progress much safer and easier. A leisurely descent and sunshine ensured we enjoyed the views all the way back to the car park at Rhyd Ddu.

See our walking pages for more details. We are happy to arrange private guiding or instruction to suit requirements.

To make a booking please complete the booking enquiry form.