MTA Mountain Skills Scheme Course places available: May 3/4th

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Now there's a mountain path!

Now there’s a mountain path!

Mountain skills is a 2 day 1 evening weekend course where we look at all the respects required to walk in the mountains. Handling steep ground , weather, mountain navigation, outdoor kit, emergencies and what to put in your rucksack. You will spend the weekend on some exciting mountain walks discussing all aspects of walking. You will get unlimited technical help from where to walk to the latest kit for as long as you want it so you can keep developing your skills

Route finding in the mountains

Route finding in the mountains

This is an ideal way to gain the confidence to tackle the harder routes like Crib Goch in Snowdonia
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountain-skills-courses/

The Welsh 3000s Challenge (14 peaks Challenge)

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Looking across to the summit of Tryfan

Looking across to the summit of Tryfan

To complete the Welsh 3000s Challenge you are required to have been at the top of all 15 of the mountains over 3000 ft in Wales within 24 hours! The walk is 24 miles, but by the time you get off, it is more like 30 miles. How difficult is it? Not as tough as you would expect as once you are up high the peaks are not so tall! It is however, much harder than the “Three Peaks Challenge”. You have to have a fair degree of fitness in the mountains to enjoy it.
It is rocky in places, and both descend and ascend are demanding. Navigation can also be problematic in bad poor visibility conditions. You can do the walk over 2 days using a fully equipped mountain hut.
The Welsh 3000s as challenge, walk or experience is second to none! Contact me if this interests you and I can arrange something which suits you.
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/mountain-challenges/welsh-3000s-14-peaks-challenge-in-24-hours/
Crib Goch ...a great start to the day!

Crib Goch …a great start to the day!

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/

A family adventure day out with the kids in Snowdonia, North Wales

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Learning to climb is such great fun

Learning to climb is such great fun

We had a great day out climbing in Snowdonia. One the first day we went rock climbing and the kids just loved it. It is so different to what they had been used to. What looked impossible when they started seems easy by the end. They improved so fast in the end they completed everything I gave them as a challenge, I couldn’t find a harder problem so they were winding me up! It was amazing! On the second day we went up the mountain Tryfan which is a real mountain where you have to scramble in places and they loved it! It has a real peak and excellent views from the top, assuming of course you get a clear day! It’s a real goal to summit and when you get here you feel like you have achieved something.
If you are looking for something different to do have a look at http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/ and contact me for a special personalised weekend. Personal guiding for the family is £300 for the weekend included all the technical equipment and, you will do so much!
Just so relaxed!

Just so relaxed!

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

Winter Navigation practice in the Cairngorm mountains.

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Taking a bearing is harder in winter with gloves!

Taking a bearing is harder in winter with gloves!

A day out practicing Navigation on the Cairngorm plateau. Which really has to be more of the most difficult places to navigate in bad weather.
http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

Winter Walking in the Cairngorm mountains.

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Walking up Coire na Ciste

Walking up Coire na Ciste

It was a lovely day really crisp with clear views across the cairngorm mountain range ! But the wind was about 30 mph but so cold, the wind chill factor must have made it -10 degrees but it was worth it! Walking on the Cairngorm plateau was just so beautiful when it is like this.

Want to improve your navigation? Try our contour navigation approach to finding your way around.

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I can see what is going on when I understand the contours of the landscape

I can see what is going on when I understand the contours of the landscape

Do you find it hard calculating routes from a-b using compass bearings, timings and pacings, and a storyboard based on map features like walls, boundaries, cairns or sheepfolds etc. This method of navigating has such a complex story board that it requires constant referring to the map and compass. Complex pacings and timings, not conducive to a comfortable walk in the hills and an interesting conversation with your companions.

Want to be able to navigate with your map and compass, for the most part, zipped inside your pocket. Navigating using contours can simplify your navigation on most days being able to identify complex train around can allow you to put simple story board together so you can navigation with your map in your pocket and actually speak to people in your group!
Have a look at what you can do http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/navigation-courses-snowdonia/

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/

Scrambling up Clogwyn Y Person Arête.

The last technical section on Clogwyn Y Person Arête

The last technical section on Clogwyn Y Person Arête

This is one of the greatest natural lines in Snowdonia and a great 3 Star, Grade 2/3 classic scramble on Snowdon. The day was looking a bit misty but the weather never really came in, in fact the wind dropped and it turned out not to be as cold as expected! No real wind on the Crib Goch ridge which made it a delight! We descended the north ridge back down in the valley…simply a fantastic day out. For more ideas about what you could so have a look at out scrambling section http://mountaineeringjoe.co.uk/mountaineering/scrambling/course-5-classic-snowdon-scramble-clogwyn-y-person-arete/