BBC - North West Wales Outdoors - Activities

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30 May 2012
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Rock climbing

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North West Wales has long been one of the best locations for rock climbing in Britain. Sir Edmund Hilary treated the mountains of Eryri as an excellent place to train before his famous ascent of Everest, and climbers have been flocking to the area ever since. Martin Doyle, head of training at Plas y Brenin outdoor pursuits centre, explains how to get started.

How did you get started?
I joined a climbing club whilst at university in Newcastle and enjoyed going away on climbing weekends with the other students.

Where did you go from there?
I was originally a geography teacher, but also gained the qualifications to train other teachers in outdoor pursuits skills. I increased my experience by becoming a field studies teacher, before joining Plas y Brenin as a full-time climbing instructor.

What clothing and equipment do you need?
The weather in the mountains can be a bit unpredictable, so make sure you have comfortable, waterproof clothing before going climbing. Specialist climbing boots and helmet are also essential. Good standard technical and protection equipment is extremely important to ensure your safety whilst rock climbing. These include a harness, ropes and various equipment to ensure everything is secure.

What's your most memorable experience?
Getting 'the exposure' - which is a climbers' term for the feeling of exhilaration you get when you reach a high point on a sheer cliff, and the ground is so far below you.

Have you got a favourite place?
One of my favourite climbs is a big 150-foot corner of rock known as Cenotaph Corner, in the Llanberis Pass. It's like climbing the spine of an open book - an excellent challenge.

Any other points?
I would advise beginners to first visit a climbing wall, and get expert instruction on basic climbing skills and moves. You could then join one of North Wales' many clubs and go climbing with more experienced rock climbers. Alternatively, you can buy one of the many guide books, which illustrate the varied and magnificent climbing routes available in the North West. This area is really one of the best places for rock climbing in the country.

Where can I have a go?
There are climbing walls in Plas y Brenin, The Beacon in Llanberis and Llandudno Junction leisure centre.

Useful websites:
www.climbuk.co.uk
www.thebmc.co.uk
Both of these will help you find your local climbing wall and climbing club. Also:
www.pyb.co.uk

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.


		Euros Thomas from Prestatyn There is also quite a good indoor climbing wall at Prestatyn Leisure Centre. It has a bouldering section and a 6 metre high top rope area. They run course (which I attended) or you can just turn up for a casual climb. Tue Aug 4 09:45:34 2009 Steve Downes, Leighton Buzzard It's a little publicised fact that rock climbing is one of the best ways to lose unwanted weight. I don't know what it is, maybe the nervous tension, but the pounds just drop off when you are regularly climbing. It happened to me when I started and I've seen it happen to many others - all that 'pub fat' just evaporates! Fri Mar 13 11:29:12 2009 Mike Get to a climbing wall, anyone you speak to will be happy for you to join in. Get social, clubs not neccessary, post a note on the notice board in your local climbing wall, someone will ask you for a date! Tue Jan 20 13:43:36 2009 Derek Smith, Didcot Being a fit mad 56 (the new 25) it's difficult finding someone just past novice stage (V Diff) to climb with. Any ideas? I'm not into clubs. Fri Mar 23 10:18:13 2007 Alan Thomas Oxford I did the climbing course at Plas y Brenin over Xmas/New year in 1960. It was one of the best experiences ever.Climbed Gashed crag Tryfan. the Spiral Staircase in Llanberis and others.A course to be reccommended, never forgotten. Sat Mar 25 14:30:58 2006 PB from Oldham Being an ex drug user I had the honour of doing some of my rehab in and around Betws-y-Coed and Snowdonia; I would like to thank the people for one of the best encounters I have ever experienced in my life, and I can't wait to visit the area again. Sun Jan 22 19:55:42 2006 Graham from Mold I have just enjoyed my first season of winter climbing in Scotland and at home here in North Wales. What a great winter its been for ice and snow even here in North Wales when conditions in the past few years have been very lean. Thu Mar 17 16:01:24 2005

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