|
Post by woodsy on Feb 1, 2010 12:17:26 GMT
i know there is a few spots up north though and a few different things, ie rock climbing or a friendly hike and such so it would offer some variance, it has snowdonia national park which there is alot in, gogarth, holyhead mountain llanberris quarry and id say more that hasnt been mentioned.. bangor is a crazy city too for the craic, 95% students or something like that so we could have some laugh there.. only problem is there arent a huge amount of hostels.. how about bringing over tents though? just an idea..
Would there be a good deal of climbing lower grades in pembroke? there seems to be two very good options there
|
|
|
Post by woodsy on Feb 1, 2010 12:39:56 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Féar ghal on Feb 1, 2010 12:55:49 GMT
Speaking as a complete noob Im just curious is this open to beginners?Because it does sound like a hell of a trip and Id really like to get out climbing more.Im hoping to do learning to lead and get some climbing done this semester and this trip sounds a great way to forward it.So is it more for advanced people or can anyone tag along?
|
|
|
Post by thecolm on Feb 1, 2010 14:15:24 GMT
its for all levels and as most of us climb at a low level ul be fine ;D all thats required is that you know how to lead (either by having done the learn to lead course or been taken out by someone else and den had a committee member watch you lead climb for themselves) to wille... www.climber.co.uk/categories/articleitem.asp?cate=1&topic=16&item=86place is immense. I'm sure there's climbing of all levels.
|
|
barry
hillwalker
so much rock-so little time......
Posts: 132
|
Post by barry on Feb 1, 2010 15:12:29 GMT
Pembroke is a sunny venue, Saddle Head gives good milage for Diff leaders up, Flimstone Slab is the best sea cliff V Diff I've done. Giltar Point and surrounds has alot of stuff at Diff upwards www.chetwynd.info/guides/pembroke_1.htmMost of South Pembroke 'Castlemartin' is an old & current military traing area so it's a bit wacky with shell holes, dummy tanks and bunkers.
|
|
|
Post by willie on Feb 1, 2010 17:16:12 GMT
Look head where ye want but from my experience, i would recommend that north wales would be a better option but that's not saying that pembroke is not a bad idea either...
|
|
|
Post by thecolm on Feb 2, 2010 7:43:25 GMT
hehe jus dont wanna die on loose rock ;D
|
|
|
Post by woodsy on Feb 2, 2010 19:35:54 GMT
you can stay away from the cliffs if needs be, i'll let you know how it goes.. there's so much in north wales and on our down days can rip it up in bangor.. theres an awful lot very close.. i might be able sort something out with my friends there for places to stay etc depending on group size.. It just seems to have the most climbing and different sorts or stuff there but sure the lads will make a decision soon anyway
|
|
coxy
hillwalker
Posts: 185
|
Post by coxy on Feb 3, 2010 0:23:27 GMT
Just a quick note to say that both Pembroke and Gogarth are super locations for climbing. As Barry mentioned there is a great spread of grades at both locations. For the easier grades in Gogarth spend your time on Holyhead mountain (loads of climbing) and there are also good routes especially at the Wen Zawn area (a couple of great HVS's). As Harr with attest, alot of the routes on the Gogarth seacliffs are super adventurous (The Flytrap and The Mousetrap both come to mind...). Super place to climb though and you will always keep thinking..... Pembroke is also really good..... with loads of great climbing..... If you are climbing in the HVS E1 range Mother Carey's Kitchen area is well worth the drive with a couple of top class HVS/E1 routes......... Also routes like "The Hole" or "Lucky Strike" are super routes..... whcih are in the main area. Pembroke has a rockfax guide whcih is the best guide overall as an alternative to buying the full two volumes for the Pembroke coast.... In North Wales you have more options with gogarth, slate, llanberis pass, The Beacon climbing wall. There is always stuff to do...... I would love to be going but I will just have to settle with living a hour from a lifes worth of trad, ice, alpine and skiing........ chat later Frank
|
|
|
Post by darraghc on Feb 3, 2010 1:01:05 GMT
|
|
Duecewilder
hilltalker
life life to the full and take chances... cos feck it youll regret it if you dont....
Posts: 63
|
Post by Duecewilder on Feb 3, 2010 18:33:19 GMT
I'm liking it!!!!!!! just when exactly are we doing this learning to lead climb thing and where?
|
|
|
Post by darraghc on Feb 4, 2010 18:37:33 GMT
Weekend of Week six in the burren(learn to lead).
Also there's alot of debate between Pembroke and North Wales so I'm gonna start a pole soon, I recon everyone should do their research before voting.
As far as I can see they're both evenly matched;
Pembroke is the area in Wales with least rain, the 34 crags are very close (all within a few mins drive), great range in grades, world class climbs.
North Wales has a bigger veriety in terms of rock (grit, rhyolite, slate, sandstone, and more) but they are further away from each other. Great range in grades, more climbing than you can shake a stick at but Snowdonia and North Wales are the wettest areas, almost 3 times wetter than Pembrokeshire area, but there is an indoor climbing wall.
Everyone should do their own research though before voting in the poll (coming soon)
|
|
|
Post by thecolm on Feb 8, 2010 8:04:45 GMT
ha dont mind ur indoor wall. ;D
with regards the more varitety, ud have to weigh this against the time spent trying to find different crags every day, where to park, where abouts are we in relation to the guide book etc. Also different areas means several copies of several guide books. While it would be cool to climb on different rock types, good climbing is good climbing and I dont think this is much of a concern.
The weather is a concern, and as we're not going mid summer or anything, this should be examined closely. Bottom line, its a rock climbing trip, and we need to be confident in the fact that we will get to climb. You wouldnt pick a place with a minimal chance of ice if you wanted to go ice climbing etc.
|
|
|
Post by thecolm on Feb 8, 2010 10:24:10 GMT
Just thought I'd rename the thread
|
|
|
Post by woodsy on Feb 8, 2010 20:37:33 GMT
much like Ireland Wales does have a dodgey climate so i wouldnt be hell bent on the weather being the deciding factor, its pretty similar to the east coast, it could go our way or not, so i dont think you could be hugely confident in either
I would also like to see irish climbing being thought of but i know that is not going to happen. it'd be cool to get a bit more of an appreciation of our own climbing , but maybe thats more for the summer.
From Franks post you can clearly identify which area suits everyone and which area could be more advanced.. i know that pembroke has loads of different grades which is great and it will be a cool adventure. However I would really like to take a few different factors into account. For instance, with Conor in North Wales and having been there before alot of guys could learn alot from him.. Im not saying he will be a guide or even have much involvement but his enthusiasm is infectious and can really teach different people things. For instance he is pretty much the person who showed many of us the ropes and got us into climbing so there is a lot to learn there. I would consider him to be a huge asset if he were in the same area. Also the variety of different rock will give people a better understanding of what they like and dont like especially for the newer guys. I wouldn't like to see the consideration for the younger guys brushed aside and what they might take from the variety.
While there is a few different areas they are not too far away. Last year in Spain we often drove half an hour to some crags if not more and it never meant a short days climbing and with them within a reasonable distance it makes the difference in some of the adventure. I would just urge those who will vote to consider the notions of the group as a whole rather than what they think is best for them.
Just to clear it up, learning to lead won't be running on the weekend mentioned, it will be either the 13th and 14th of march or the 27th and 28th. I will let ye know when our guides get back. However if it is the later date i will fully expect the trip to accommodate those who will be doing learning to lead and work around it if necessary. those who are interested be sure to email me woodsy@ulopc.com
woodsy
|
|