Introductions
North Wales Mountaineering Intro
This 3-day Mountaineering Introduction Course is a fun and friendly course to kickstart your mountaineering journey. This course is key to learning the skills you need to begin to scramble in the mountains using a rope on grade 2 and 3 scrambles. The course will be delivered by a qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) who will guide you through all the skills you need to scramble on steeper terrain. This is the perfect next step in terms of progression from all those hill walks.
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Duration
3 days
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Start Location
Capel Curig, North Wales
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Date(s)
Spring and Autumn
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Price
From €650.00
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.
How to plan a day out climbing in the mountains, what equipment you need and how to use it, maps, guidebooks and the grading system, techniques to move over rock, route finding and risk assessment, using a rope for ascent and descent, how to use climbing equipment, how to build a climbing belay and emergency procedures.
The skills and experiences you'll pick up from this trip will open your eyes to the wonderful world of mountain exploration. Whether this kicks off a new passion of rock climbing, a fascination of rope work, or just a general hunger for more mountain adventure, this trip will leave you grinning ear to ear and full of new inspiration.
If you think this might be a bit basic for you then check out our North Wales Alpine Prep Course here. Perfect for improving and preparing for big mountains like the Matterhorn or the Eiger.
Introduction
To join this course you will need some hillwalking experience and the desire to push your comfort zones. Previous scrambling or climbing experience is useful but not essential, a good level of fitness will ensure you get the most out of your time with us.
This course is designed for those of you that have a desire to start your mountaineering journey and are not sure where or how to take the first steps. If you think this might be a bit basic for you then check out our North Wales Alpine Prep Course here. Perfect for improving and preparing for big mountains like the Matterhorn or the Eiger.
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Duration
3 days
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Start Location
Capel Curig, North Wales
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Date(s)
Spring and Autumn
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Guide Ratio
1:2
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Ability
Level ALevel A
You’re not quite sure where to start but you’re hungry for an adventure and can’t wait to get going. Bring it on!
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Price
From €650.00
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 Mountaineering Intro kit list please click here.
Rucksack
Mountaineering-specific 35-40L backpack
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.
Lightweight fleece
Something light and thin.
Softshell Jacket
Light technical jacket, ideally with a hood.
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof pants
Side-leg zippers are helpful
Softshell Trousers
Stretch, durable mountaineering trousers.
Sunglasses
Sun cream
Factor 30-50 High Mountain sunscreen
First aid kit
Blister kit, paracetamol, etc
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
october 2023
1 Dateapril 2024
2 Datesmay 2024
1 DateWhat 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:
Let's get straight into it
Get to know your instructor over a breakfast briefing before heading straight out into the mountains. Today might be your first taste of mountaineering, or it may be a refresher to revisit some previously learned skills. Either way, we'll be heading out for a full day where we will cover the specifics of mountain adventure; planning, using safety equipment, climbing techniques and skills, and what to do with technical climbing gear. 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:
Progression day
We'll meet at 9am and get cracking straight away. Today we'll take what we learned yesterday and look to move forwards. We'll focus on the basics of abseiling, speeding up our technical skills and progressing our overall climbing movements. By the end of this day you will have consolidated yesterdays skills and will feel like you understand more of the techniques needed to be a mountaineer. Back to the Rocks Hostel for a well earned rest.
Distance: 10-15km Elevation: 700 - 900m +- Time: 7-9 hours -
Day 4:
Your best work
Today we put the last two days into practice on a bigger route in the mountains. For this day we often head to a classic route like Cneifion Arete, East Ridge of Y Gran or Clogwyn y Person Arete and push your comfort zone while guiding you through all the necessary skills. The trip ends once we're back down in the afternoon and you can make your way back home or on to your next adventure. You should now feel ready to consider the Alpine Prep course and / or some alpine objectives like Mont Blanc 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 Mountaineering Intro trip is rated Level A, for beginners and newcomers 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
Think you've got this?
This trip is at this 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
More your 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?
North Wales Mountaineering Intro
Our three-day Mountaineering Introduction Course is a fun and friendly course to kickstart your mountaineering journey. This course is key to learning the skills you need to scramble in the mountains using a rope on grade 2 and 3 scrambles. The course will be delivered by a qualified Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor (MCI) who will guide you through all the skills you need to scramble on steep terrain.
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Spring and Autumn
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Level A
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€650.00
Off-Piste Skiing Intro
This introduction trip is all about skiing lift accessed off-piste terrain to build up skills and knowledge on how to ski mixed snow safely and confidently. Skiing off-piste is an essential skill to have in order to undertake a backcountry ski touring adventure.
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January - April
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Level A
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€995.00
Scotland Winter Skills
If you are new to winter mountaineering, or just need to dust off the cobwebs, this practical trip will cover everything you need to know in order to stay as safe as possible in the mountains, whilst having an awesome time exploring and taking in new experiences.
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January - February
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Level A
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€750.00
North Wales Alpine Prep Course
Do you dream of climbing in the Alps or the bigger mountains? Are you looking to develop all the skills you need to climb routes 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? Our Alpine Preparation 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.
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Spring and Autumn
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Level B
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€650.00
Chamonix Winter Alpine Skills
Our popular Alpine Skills course set in November and December, which are wilder, colder, often snowy and far quieter than the busy summer months in the Alps. The focus is on learning essential mountain skills such as crevasse rescue, ice climbing, roping up on glaciers all in a high mountain environment.
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November - December
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Level B
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€950.00
Haute Route Trek Guided 11 Days
The Haute Route trek is one of the world’s great multi-day treks. The route links two world famous alpine mountains, Mont Blanc in France and the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
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July - September
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Level C
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€3250.00
Haute Route Self Guided Trek 6 Days
The Haute Route trek is one of the world’s great multi-day treks. The route links two world-famous mountains, Mont Blanc in France and the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Enjoy this 6 day version of the trek from Arolla to Zermatt.
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July - September
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Level C
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€1948.00
Haute Route Self Guided Trek 11 Days
The Haute Route trek is one of the world’s great multi-day treks. The route links two world famous alpine mountains, Mont Blanc in France and the Matterhorn in Switzerland.
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July - September
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Level C
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€3029.00
Mera Peak: Robert Markwick
Mera Peak at 6476m is the highest trekking peak in Nepal. At this altitude the oxygen content of air is less than half of what it is at sea level. It is located in the Himalayan mountain range in Nepal, a little east of the main Khumbu valley on a much quieter trail.
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4th -19th April 2023
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Level D
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€
Swiss, Bernese Oberland Ski Tour
The Bernese Oberland ski tour is a stunning link up of high altitude mountain huts and peaks in the wild Bernese Oberland region of the Swiss Alps. The ski terrain in this region is suited for those with previous ski touring experience, who are looking to progress to the next level and discover some high altitude peaks and glaciers. You can expect long ski tour days, comfortable huts and big ski descents.
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March - April
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Level D
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€1850.00
Island Peak
Island Peak at 6,189m is considered one of the world's best adventures for any mountain lovers out there. Part trek, part mountaineering, this is a trip for those looking to add a little more adrenalin to the Everest Base Camp Trek. Book this trip and receive a free sleeping bag and duffle bag for your adventure.
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Spring & Autumn
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Level D
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€4150.00
Eiger
The Eiger is one of the most sought after summits in the Alps and a formidable challenge for any keen mountaineer. Located in the Bernese Alps in Switzerland, this is a major Alpine classic steeped in historic tales of heroic climbing. On this trip we climb via the Mittellegi ridge. Got what it takes?
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June - September
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Level E
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€4299.00
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.
Deposit/Book Now