Courses
North Wales: Alpine Prep
Do you dream of climbing in the Alps or further afield? Are you looking to learn the skills you need to climb peaks like the Matterhorn or the Eiger, or do you just want to try out climbing in the mountains and see if you like it or not?
This 3-day Alpine Preparation course is ideal for anybody looking to learn and progress their skills to climb in the mountains whilst having fun along the way in beautiful North Wales. You'll spend each day learning and climbing some of the classic routes in Snowdonia, developing your technical skills and becoming a more rounded mountain adventurer.
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Duration
3 Days
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Start Location
Capel Curig, North Wales
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Date(s)
April - May
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Price
From €790.00
Adventure Snapshot
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Snowdonia National Park, North Wales
This trip takes place in the beautiful Snowdonia National Park in North Wales. Snowdonia is world renowned for its rugged landscape, Welsh culture and tons of amazing mountain terrain, including Wales’ highest mountain - Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). We'll be staying in the northern part near Capel Gurig.
During the 3 days we will cover the following topics.
What to wear for a climbing day in the Alps or bigger mountains, packing for an Alpine objective, technical climbing gear and how it's used, moving over technical rocky terrain, efficiency and how to save time in the mountains, route finding and risk assessment, crampons and axe sessions, and emergency procedures.
This trip is a fantastic follow on from our, North Wales Mountaineering Intro course which runs on both occasions before this course starts, so you can link the two together to create a monster week of adventure. It's a great training course for our Matterhorn and Eiger climbs too.
Introduction
To join this course you will need some mountain scrambling experience (Grade 1) and a good level of fitness. With a maximum of two clients per instructor, we can accommodate different levels of ability to make sure you get the most out of your time with us.
This course is ideal for anybody looking to learn the skills you need to climb in the mountains and will help you develop your Alpine skills for your next big trip. If you want to gain some experience before then check out our North Wales Mountaineering Intro course.
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Duration
3 Days
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Start Location
Capel Curig, North Wales
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Date(s)
April - May
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Guide Ratio
1:2
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Ability
Level BLevel B
You have some previous experience in the outdoors, whether that’s hiking, skiing or climbing. You will either be starting to venture into more technical terrain or slightly more 'aggressive' environments. Let's dial it up!
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Price
From €790.00
Adventure Overview
See real footage of previous expeditions
Meet The Team
01:48Introducing our crack squad of mountain lovers and adventure junkies. We spend most of our days plotting, planning and building some of the very best trips out there for you all to enjoy.
Kit & equipment required for this adventure
Please note this is a guide and you may be required to rent or purchase last minute equipment on arrival dependent on the weather and changes in itinerary.
Harness and helmet can be rented locally for £10 per item. For the full downloadable North Wales Alpine Prep kit list please click here.
Sturdy hiking boots
Solid hiking boots ideally B1 rated
Fleece windproof gloves
Mountaineering Gloves
Thick and built for the cold
Thermal Tops
Keep them light and thin.
FULL KIT LIST
More info
Click the link in the text above to find the full kit list
Finer details
YOUR ADVENTURE PACKAGE
We always go through the plan for the course as well as the current weather and mountain conditions when you arrive. You will get the opportunity to meet your guides and you can ask any questions and go through your kit.
What's Included?
- 3 full days guiding from an MCI instructor
- 1:2 Guiding ratio each day
- 3 nights of accommodation at The Rocks Hostel (5*)
- Breakfast each day
- All group mountaineering technical equipment
What's not Included?
- Evening meals
- Personal snacks and drinks
This Trip is running on the following dates
april 2024
1 Datemay 2024
1 Dateapril 2025
1 Datemay 2025
1 Dateapril 2026
1 Datemay 2026
1 DateJoin the waiting list
Adventure: North Wales: Alpine Prep
What to expect from your accommodation
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Our 5 star base
Set in the heart of the stunning Snowdonia National Park, this cosy, family run, 5 star hostel sits just off the A5, the main artery of Snowdonia. Nestled underneath Moel Siabod and peeking over the River Llugwy, it is quietly tucked away in the ancient mountain village of Capel Curig.
Super clean and cosy rooms, lounge areas and a big self-catering kitchen make this a perfect 'home from home'. Single rooms are subject to availability and need to be requested far in advance.
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Duration
3 Nights
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Internet
Wifi included
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Beds
Shared Dormitory
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Food
Continental breakfast included
Immerse yourself in Nature
Adventure Itinerary
While we try and stick to the tried and tested itinerary below, the mountain and the weather sometimes has other ideas. We will always remain as flexible as possible, which is why we only work with experienced and knowledgeable guides, to make sure we can change any plans if required.
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Day 1:
Arrival Day
Arrive anytime today. If you're heading down to Snowdonia after work, no problem, we can accommodate late arrivals. Overnight in the Rocks Hostel.
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Day 2:
Straight into it
Get to know your instructor over a breakfast briefing before heading straight out into the mountains. Joining this trip you will have some previous experience, perhaps even from our introduction to mountaineering course that runs just before this one. We'll pick up where you left off and tackle a full day outdoors where we will cover the progression of specifics in mountain adventure; planning, using safety equipment, progressive climbing techniques and skills, and putting technical climbing gear to the test. Once tired out we'll retreat to our cosy base at the Rocks Hostel.
Distance: 10-15km Elevation: 700 - 900m +- Time: 7-9 hours -
Day 3:
Abseiling and developing skills
We'll meet at 9am and head back out into the great outdoors. Today we'll take what we learned yesterday and look to progress even further. We'll focus specifically on climbing movement skills and how to abseil safely on varied terrain. Lots to take in today as we'll also have an Alpine gear discussion in the afternoon, looking at mountaineering boots and crampons and how to get the right fit. This will take place back at the Rocks Hostel with a nice cuppa tea (or coffee!).
Distance: 10-15km Elevation: 700 - 900m +- Time: 7-9 hours -
Day 4:
Last day already?
With all the training and learning we've covered over the past few days, today is the day we put everything to the test on a big classic route of the area. During the climb, your instructor may hand over the control to the group at certain times to allow for group members to lead and learn what that that feeling is like. A culmination of experiences and laughs on the final day comes to an end in the afternoon back at the car park and you can make your way back home or on to your next adventure from there. You should now feel ready to take on some bigger alpine objectives like the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa or the Eiger for example.
Distance: 10-15km Elevation: 700 - 900m +- Time: 7-9 hours
Meet your guides for this adventure
Matt
UK Instructor
Matt is based in North Wales and holds the Mountaineering and Climbing instructor (MCI) qualification which is the highest qualification you can hold for summer mountaineering in the UK. He is also a full Member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI). Matt has extensive experience mountaineering and climbing in the UK, Alps and Africa and always brings great energy to his courses filled with knowledge and clear instruction. Never a dull moment on Matt's courses!
Sam
UK Instructor
Sam is based in North Wales and holds the Mountaineering and Climbing instructor (MCI) qualification which is the highest qualification you can hold for summer mountaineering in the UK. He is also a full Member of the Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI).
Are you ready?
Our adventures are attributed a difficulty level from A to E. This North Wales: Alpine Prep trip is rated Level B, for those with some prior experience We recommend you only book a trip that reflects your ability.
Level A
For beginners and newcomers
- You’re not quite sure where to start but you’re hungry for an adventure
- Little / no prior experience
- Shorter time duration
- No technical skills required but keen to learn
- Basic level of fitness
More your level?
Level B
For those with some prior experience
- You have some previous experience in the outdoors, whether that’s hiking, skiing or climbing, and are keen to build on that
- You will either be starting to venture into more technical terrain or slightly more challenging environments
- Some basic skills
- Moderate fitness
Think you've got this?
This trip is at this level
Level C
For accomplished adventurers
- You enjoy challenging yourself physically and mentally
- You’re comfortable on multi-day adventures and you call yourself an avid adventurer
- You're not quite George Mallory but you subscribe to his 'because it is there' attitude
- Strong level of fitness
More your level?
Level D
For the pros
- You're ready to test your skills on the next challenge
- You're comfortable in most types of alpine environments
- Some level of technical skills
- Strong level of fitness
More your level?
Level E
For the experts
- You’ve been on multiple adventures and have built up a solid skillset to tackle most challenges out there
- Good technical skills and knowledge
- Experienced in alpine/mountains environments
- Very high level of fitness
More your level?
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READY FOR THIS COURSE?
We hope you've found all the information you need above, but if not don't hesitate to get in touch. If you're ready to book, follow the link below.
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