"To aim for the highest point is not the only way to climb a mountain."
Nan Shepherd
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Everything I do as an instructor or guide is tailored to suit your individual ambitions and experience.
If you can't find exactly what you are looking for, or just want some more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
I never group separate bookings together (unless you request it to reduce cost), so all bookings are arranged on an individual basis.
Check out my calendar for availability.
LEARN
Learn to Climb in North Wales
Rock climbing is awesome. Take the first steps to becoming an independent climber, or just come along for a taster day to give it a go.
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For 1 - 4 people
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All equipment provided
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Get a lot of fun, hands-on experience of climbing on rock
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Learn essential rope skills such as tying in and belaying safely
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Tailored to suit all levels of ability
Indoor to Outdoor Climbing
Aimed at those who have done roped climbing or bouldering indoors (or those who haven't!), and want to learn to transfer safely to taking on either of these styles of climbing outside.
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For 1 - 4 people
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All equipment provided
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BOULDERING: learn tactics, safe padding and spotting techniques
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BOULDERING: Develop strength and movement skills
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SPORT: Learn how to select venues and routes, thread lower-offs, strip routes safely
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SPORT: Learn to lead option depending on ability and experience
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SPORT: Fully organised winter trips to Europe also available - enquire for details
Learn to Lead
For those who have current climbing experience (at absolute minimum be confident tying in and belaying safely), and who want to learn to lead trad and/or sport climbs.
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For 1 - 2 people
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Ropes and rack provided
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Placing and removing gear, safe anchor selection and building, lead tactics
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Progression towards leading at an appropriate level when you are ready
Self Rescue & Multi-Pitch Climbing Skills
For experienced climbers who want to advance their skills towards taking on more adventurous longer routes on mountain crags or sea-cliffs, and learn to rescue themselves and their partners from sticky situations.
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For 2 - 4 people
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Larger groups possible for on-the-ground self-rescue training
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Learn to deal with common problems and escape tactics
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Learn how to escape the system, ascend a rope, abseil past a knot, hoist a stuck partner, and other skills
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Sharpen existing skills to tackle more committing climbs with confidence
Winter Skills
Essential skills for the mountains in winter, from safe planning and avalanche awareness, to the use of ice axes and crampons, and the added challenges of winter navigation.
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For 1 - 6 people
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Dates available January - March
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Based in Scotland: Lochaber or Cairngorms
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Required: summer mountain experience, good hill fitness
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Participants should own, borrow or hire winter boots, axe and crampons
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Helmets and other specialist equipment provided
EXPERIENCE
If you can't find exactly what you are looking for, or just want some more information, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
I never group separate bookings together (unless you request it to reduce personal cost), so all bookings are arranged on an individual basis.
Check out my calendar for availability.
Guided Climbs
A Dream of White Horses? Grooved Arete? The Old Man of Hoy?
Tailored to all levels of ability and ambition, a guided day puts the emphasis on the experience of climbing routes, rather than on developing new technical skills. Take on some of Britain's most iconic and sought-after routes, or more obscure delights for connoisseur!
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For 1 - 2 people
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Classic climbs in North Wales or elsewhere in the UK
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All climbing equipment provided
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Experience adventurous routes in a safe and enjoyable way
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Get the benefit of years and thousands of routes' worth of experience
Guided Scrambles & Mountaineering
For those looking to to climb Britain's most challenging mountains by the most engaging routes, to enjoy the excitement of a classic ridge traverse.
NORTH WALES: Take on classic routes such as Crib Goch or Bristly Ridge with expert guidance, tackle harder scrambles on the threshold of rock climbing terrain, or practice skills for bigger mountaineering exploits.
SKYE & HIGHLANDS: Attempt the incomparable Cuillin Ridge Traverse or other routes on Skye's jagged peaks, or classic mountaineering outings on Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and the north west.
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Ropes, harness and helmet provided
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For 1 - 2 people *
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Good level of hill fitness required
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For grade 1 and 2 scrambles, no previous experience required
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For grade 3 scrambles, some experience desirable
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For harder routes, such as the Cuillin Ridge, some previous experience essential
*A Note on Ratios. When it comes to guiding on technical mountaineering terrain, I will never compromise on the safety and practicality of an appropriate instructor:student ratio for the route in question. For longer and harder scrambles, this means no more than 2 people. On some shorter and easier scrambles, 3 or 4 may be possible. Please enquire for further details.
Winter Climbing & Mountaineering
Scottish winter climbing delivers a unique flavour of experience. Ice, snow or mixed climbing, or classic winter mountaineering ridges, are all on the menu.
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For 1 - 2 people
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Dates available February - March
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Based in Scotland, flexibility on venues
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Required: some winter mountain experience, good hill fitness
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Participants should own, borrow or hire winter boots
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Helmets and other specialist equipment provided
PRICES
Prices listed are a guideline based on typical bookings: some activities, such as mountaineering on Skye, are a slightly higher rate. Enquire to confirm.
Note that for practical and safety reasons some activities are limited to lower ratios:
* Guided Climbs, Learn to Lead and Multi-Pitch Climbing have a ratio of no more than 1:2.
* Other climbing courses normally have a ratio of no more than 1:4.
* Mountaineering and Scrambling (both summer and winter) normally have a ratio of no more than 1:2, but 1:3 may be appropriate for certain routes.
Daily Rate
Ratio
1:1
1:2
1:3
1:4
1:5
1:6+
£270
£300
£330
£340
£350
£150 p/p
£110 p/p
£85 p/p
£70 p/p
£60 p/p
The price structure reflects the greater amount of individual attention and hands-on experience that is possible with lower instructor : student ratios.