Overview
We offer rock climbing courses based in beautiful Snowdonia, North Wales which are suitable for all levels. Some examples of our most popular courses are below.
All of our rock climbing courses are instructed by top level Instructors on a 1:1 or 1:2 basis. They are tailored specifically to you, offering you complete autonomy and flexibility during your time spent climbing with us. Prior to your course, we will liaise with you to understand what level you’re currently climbing at and, what you hope to achieve in the days you have booked.
Rock climbing in North Wales is best undertaken from May through to October. You can choose any dates that suit you and we’ll find the very best Instructor to match your rock climbing objectives.
Moving outside
Climbing indoors is really great fun but climbing outdoors is an entirely different and amazing experience. The skills you have from your indoor climbing will have prepared you perfectly for taking your climbing outdoors on to real rock. There’s a lot to learn outside but you’ll pick it up quickly and be able to achieve more that you thought possible.
Learning to lead trad
Being on the sharp end, ‘on lead’, is where rock climbing truly comes into its own. Placing good gear, building excellent anchors and having slick rope work all take time and practice to master – but it’s all part of the process in becoming a safe and independent rock climber. Our Instructors will coach and instruct you through the process of becoming a lead climber at a pace that suits you and, when your ready to take your first lead, will be right next to you all the way.
Guided classic and hard rock routes
Tie in and enjoy the rock climbing! There will of course be plenty of top tips and teaching along the way but the emphasis on this course is mileage on quality rock climbs. If you have that dream route you would love to climb or crags you would like to visit then let us know, otherwise leave it to us and we promise you the very best of North Wales rock climbing.
Performance coaching
High level coaching from qualified top level climbers. We have a select number of Instructors who deliver these courses for us on a highly personal level. We will work with you to help develop any area of your climbing, for example, movement, fear of falling, climbing tactics and training.
Trip Suitability
Our rock climbing courses are suitable for everyone.
We have a broad variety of friendly, top level Instructors who can deliver all aspects of your rock climbing course, from performance coaching, guided hard rock ticks, learning to lead trad or simply experiencing outdoor rock climbing for the first time.
All the rock climbing is based in North Wales where there is a huge variety of climbing and excellent venues. There is certainly something for everyone, whatever the level or grade you climb at.
If you are new to climbing having a good level of fitness will benefit your overall enjoyment of the day.
Itinerary
Our rock climbing itineraries will vary with each course. The locations and crags that you visit will be determined by your aims and the weather & conditions. In North Wales there is a huge variety of options to choose from including sea cliffs, slate quarries and many excellent mountain crags. A flexible approach is essential as this will give us the best chance of finding superb dry rock to climb.
This is an example of a 2 day rock climbing itinerary:
Day 1
- Meet your rock climbing instructor at 8:30am either at a pre-allocated café or your accommodation
- Discuss the aims and objectives of your climbing days together
- Check your personal climbing kit
- Go rock climbing, have an amazing day and learn lots
- Head to a café for 4:30pm/5pm for tea, cake and a chat about the day
- Discuss tomorrows aims
Day 2
- Meet your instructor at 9am – either at pre-allocated café or your accommodation
- Go rock climbing, further develop on yesterday’s learning and skills, have a super day
- Head to a café for 4:30pm/5pm for tea, cake and to debrief on your two days climbing
- Depart and head home
Your rock climbing instructor will be in touch with you directly before the course and will arrange to meet you either, on the evening before if convenient, or on the morning of day 1.
Climbing venues that we often use in North Wales include the Llanberis Pass, Ogwen Valley, Gogarth, the Slate Quarries, the Moelwyns and Tremadog. On the very rare occasion where the weather has made everywhere wet and miserable, we may opt to use the indoor wall at The Beacon to help facilitate the day.
Map
Included
When you book with Mountain Expeditions, we want you to know exactly how much the course is going to cost you, with absolutely no hidden extras or last-minute costs. Our rock climbing courses are all charged on a day rate basis and we leave you to arrange your travel and stay.
The following are included in our price:
- UK Rock Climbing Instructor (MCI or RCI) – highly qualified & very experienced
- All required technical group equipment – ropes & climbing rack
- All mountain safety and emergency equipment
- Transfers to and from the climbing venues
Please also refer to the Not included section.
Not Included
The following are NOT included in our price.
- Transport to and from North Wales
- Accommodation*
- Personal climbing equipment: helmet, harness, shoes, belay plate etc. We have many of these items available for hire if you don’t already have them, or we can help you choose the right ones at local climbing shops.
- All meals including packed lunches
- Trip insurance
* We recommend basing yourself in or close to Llanberis. There are plenty of B&Bs to choose from and the village offers good climbing shops, small supermarkets, pubs and restaurants.
If you require any advice or help with any of the above, simply Contact Us.
Difficulty Level
All of our UK Courses & Worldwide Expeditions come with a suggested difficulty level to help you choose the correct one. For a full explanation of the Scottish Winter, Alpine and UK Rock Climbing grading systems, this blog explains them all – Grades Explained
Grading for UK Courses
With all our UK courses please refer to the Trip Suitability section for more specific details on course expectation and technical and physical levels required.
C1 – Intro Course: open to any level and ability
C2 – Intermediate Courses: previous experience of scrambling/rock climbing or winter mountaineering
C3 – Advanced Courses: previous technical summer or winter climbing experience
Grading for Worldwide Expeditions
With all our Worldwide Expeditions you should refer to the Trip Suitability section for more specific details on the expedition expectation and technical and physical levels required. If in any doubt please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Physical
A. Good basic fitness, as for UK hill walking and mountaineering. Average rucksack weight: 6-8 kg
B. Good cardio-vascular fitness which for most people requires some training, by running, hiking and perhaps some gym work. Average rucksack weight: 8-12 kg.
C. High level of fitness coupled with physical toughness and the ability to carry a heavy rucksack for long periods. Average rucksack weight: 12-18 kg.
D. As for C, but tougher. Climbs of this grade are exceptionally strenuous and some weight loss is inevitable. Train hard and arrive fit. Welcome to ask for advice if training specifically.
E. Hard physical effort at extreme altitude which requires thorough preparation based on your experience of previous trips. Comments for ‘D’ also apply. May cause long-term fatigue after the trip.
Technical
1. Low angle snow or straightforward scrambling on rocks. Ropes are not usually required. Previous climbing experience is not essential.
2. Ropes are used principally for glacier travel and low angle snow or ice slopes. Ice axe and crampon experience necessary.
3. Short, steep sections of snow or ice up to about 50 degrees. Previous snow and ice climbing experience of Scottish III/Alpine PD is essential.
4. Long, steep snow and ice slopes with short steps of very steep ice or low grade rock climbing. Good all-round climbing ability required to Scottish III/Alpine AD.
5. Very steep ice (Scottish III/IV or harder) or rock (Hard Severe or harder). Suitable for competent mountaineers who have climbed consistently at these standards.
In-country Safety
