Henry Giles Climbing

With summer in full swing it’s a great time to book a day or two out in the mountains or on the crags. Courses are based in Eryri but if you want to do something further afield, let me know!

Whether you want to experience scrambling for the first time, climb above the sea or up-skill your current climbing level, we’ve got you covered. Every course is bespoke and will be tailored to fit your goals and needs ensuring a unique and personalised experience.

I’ve got the following dates available in June: 17th & 18th, 20th & 21st and 22nd & 23rd (weekend).

I’ve still got lots of availability throughout July, August and beyond too 🙂

Send me a message if you’d like to find out more!

Route recommendation:

A Dream of White Horses HVS 4c - Wen Zawn, Gogarth, North Wales
100m, 3 pitches

A much talked about route, probably one of the most famous trad climbs in the UK, and for good reason. When Zawn is an impressive place and Dream takes a line across the whole thing, taking in some amazing terrain.

The approach involves an abseil, once you commit down, you are transported into a different world and it’s not uncommon for the seals to pop their heads up and watch you.

The climbing is steady away, even if it does look pretty nails from afar. Definitely take some prusiks and it’s probably best not to fall off this one! It’s worth putting some thought into the conditions at Wen Zawn, it can be greasy if it’s not had the sun but it can also be like an oven if you’re there on a hot day.

Controversially, I don’t think it’s the best route in the Zawn… Want to know what my favourite is?

I’ve got a few posts lined up talking about some of my favourite routes that I’ve climbed in the UK. If you like the sound of this route or any of the routes then drop me a message and let’s climb it together!

Route recommendation:
Bosigran / Commando ridge VD - Bosigran, Cornwall
160m, 8 pitches
Once you exit the shrubbery on the gentle approach path down to Bosigran you are met with the sight of Bosigran ridge. Like the spine of a dinosaur, the ridge rises out of the turquoise ocean.
From its appearance it looks more like a scramble but with the grade of Very Difficult it definitely packs some good sections of climbing, although the pitches tend to be pretty short.
The climbing itself is great quality, there’s cracks, corners, face climbing and obviously the narrow ridgey bits! Bosigran ridge is really unique, we’re used to ridges being up mountains but not right next to the sea.
The base of the route is tidal so it’s worth timing it right and avoiding it on big swell days. You can access the ridge from slightly higher up which is a good option if the sea isn’t playing ball.
A must do if you’re in the South West.

The night I returned from Morocco I was greeted with temperatures in the minuses, I was gunning to make the most of a brief freeze in Eryri.

We managed to climb a couple of routes in before it all melted away!

It felt pretty weird going from warm rock to climbing with ice axes… not the mention going from 20 degrees to -5.

All good fun.

In an attempt to escape the weather in January I headed to the Anti Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

The climbing was brilliant, the rock is mostly quartzite, the same as Gogarth. It had a similar feel, just without the seals. We managed to climb everyday ranging from bouldering, long multi pitches and a wee first ascent.

We met some ace locals and enjoyed some great food too. All in all it was a mega trip and I’d love to return.

In December Spain was on the agenda.

We explored the mountain crags and single pitch crags in Costa Blanca.

A mixture of trad and sport routes was great, there’s some really accessible adventures to be had and a whole load of sunshine. What’s not to like?

Thanks to Jordan for great first photo.

It’s been a busy few months working and enjoying some climbing trips, my next few posts will be talking about what I’ve been up to!

At the end of October I travelled north to the Isle of Skye in preparation for some work next summer. We were treated to beautiful weather for the most part.

I spent time climbing and scrambling on the Black Cuillin and at Neist point. It reminded me how special Skye is, it’s so unique to the rest of the UK and really does have the best scrambling and mountaineering!

If you haven’t already, take a look at my Instagram account, there’s lots of good stuff on there!

instagram.com

Climbing and mountaineering courses in North Wales this October!

Dates: 7th - 8th & 14th & 15th October.

Scrambling course: bespoke scrambling days ticking off the classics of North Wales and bagging a summit too!

Trad improver: improve you trad climbing, gear placements and movement skills.

Sea cliff climbing: guided climbing experiences on the finest sea cliffs of North Wales.

If these dates or courses don’t work for you, still get it touch and we can figure something out.

Cost: 1:1 - £200, 1:2 - £240

Get in touch via email.

[email protected]
+447713822841

Enjoying summers last push in North Wales this passed week.

1. The Slate quarries
2. The mighty Lliwedd
3. Watching the clouds on Avalanche/Red wall/Longlands
4. Reaching the sunshine atop Lliwedd
5. A watchful goat on Tryfan
6. Jack on El Guide Direct
7. Sam on Flake Wall