BROCHURE

Frequently Asked Questions?

General
Who comes on a High Trek Holiday?
I'm on my own is that OK?
What is included in the price? I've been meaning to ask ?
When do you start and finish a break?
How fit and experienced do I have to be?
How far do you walk in a day?
Will they be time to take photographs etc?
What is the accommodation?
Can I have a single room?
Can you meet my train or bus?
How long does it take to reach you ?
What equipment do I need?
What will the weather be like?
Do you allow dogs?
Do you take under 18's?

Climbing
What do you do in bad weather?
How fit and experienced do I have to be?
I'm afraid of heights but would like to take up climbing?
I'm buying a pair of rock boots for the course what would you recommend?

Winter
When is the best time to come for snow?
Are my ordinary walking boots adequate for this course?
How fit and experienced do I need to be?

Welsh 3000's
How much scrambling experience is required to complete the "Welsh 3000's"?

Who comes on a High Trek Holiday?
The answer to that is almost everyone! We have had clients ranging in age from 8 years old (on our easiest trek) to a gentleman in his 70s who ran down Snowdon! We do not take any under 18s unaccompanied by their parents and then only on suitable treks. Most bookings come from people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. We have had bookings from slightly more men than women
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I'm on my own is that OK?
No problem at all - over half our bookings are from individuals. The remainder are from couples, two or three friends or families.
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What is included in the price?
Almost everything! We do not include insurance or travel to North Wales. All food , accommodation, equipment (except boots), instruction and guiding is included. Breaks based at Tal y Waen include wine with dinner and a few drinks in the evening.
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When do you start and finish a break?
All holidays include dinner on the first night usually around 7.30pm with guests arriving between 4.00 and 6.00pm if possible (we can arrange soup and sandwiches for late arrivals). Long weekend courses and breaks start with dinner on Friday and end after high tea (usually about 4.30pm) on Monday unless otherwise stated.
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How fit and experienced do I have to be?
This depends on the course or holiday you are booking. We have a variety of courses and holidays to suit all abilities and details are given for each break. If in doubt contact us as we'll advise as to the suitability. (winter course experience ,Welsh 3000's)
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How far do you walk in a day?
We prefer to talk about hours walked rather than distances since five miles up a 3,000ft mountain by rough paths can be harder than fifteen by a good valley path. Most of our treks involve walking from about 9.30am to between 4.00 and 6.00pm with plenty of stops to admire the views, explore interesting diversions etc.
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Will they be time to take photographs etc?
Of course. We always realise that it is your holiday and not an endurance test. Also we always try to ensure that groups are composed of individuals of a similar fitness and experience.
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What is the accommodation?
Breaks are based at our Welsh farmhouse Tal y Waen. The living and dining rooms are well equipped and very welcoming. Bedrooms are more basic. None are 'en suite'. Two rooms have bunk-beds. We also have one double room. All towels and bedding are provided. Check out the accommodation on a virtual tour.
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Can I have a single room?
We have a limited number of rooms at our small farmhouse base and so cannot guarantee single rooms
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Can you meet my train or bus?
No problem - just let us know your arrival time in Bangor. We usually ask people to arrive between 4 and 6pm on the Friday ready for an evening meal around 7.30pm.
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How long does it take to reach you ?

Distances and Times to High Trek Snowdonia by car

From Distance Distance Time

Miles Kilometers Hours

London 250 400 5*

Manchester 85 135 2

Dover 330 530 8*

Harwich 320 510 8*

Birmingham 140 220 4

*Depends on traffic around Birmingham allow extra on Friday night

What equipment do I need?
All specialist clothing and equipment is included (apart from boots which we can arrange to hire) see: Summer clothing suggestions, Winter clothing suggestions
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What will the weather be like?
Wales has the usual changeable Maritime climate dominated by the warm and wet South Westerly winds. Mountains make weather. We do have rain - otherwise known as liquid sunshine! - but, in twelve years we have only run one trek where it rained every day. You should expect any weather from scorching hot to cold, wet and windy. Come prepared!

	Low	High
Summer	7C(45F)	25C(75F)
Spring/Autumn	3C(36F)	15C(60F)
Winter	-5C	10C

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Do you allow dogs?
Because of the nature of the sheep farming country we cross, and the limited space in the house we are unable to take dogs.
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Do you take under 18's?
We do not accept bookings from under 18's unless accompanied by a parent
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What do you do in bad weather?
We go out what ever the weather and adjust our routes accordingly. There are plenty of climbs and scrambles which can be completed in the rain although you would choose one at a lower grade than in the dry. On climbing courses we can also offer indoor instruction in belay and self rescue techniques, or a visit to one of the local climbing walls (admission cost extra)
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How fit and experienced do I have to be?
All the scrambling and climbing courses are mountain based involving walking over rough terrain and carrying extra equipment than for a normal hill walk. Beginner courses require no previous experience but it helps to have done some previous mountain walking and have a reasonable enough level of fitness to cope with a full day on the mountains. A head for heights is also an advantage. Most scramblers have previously tackled a grade1 scramble (such as Striding Edge, N Ridge of Tryfan) before coming on the course.
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I'm afraid of heights but would like to take up climbing?
A common question. Most people have a fear/healthy respect of heights, it is our self preservation mechanism. What varies is where this fear effects your ability to function/climb properly. By regular exposure to heights you can become more acclimatised to them but not completely remove your fear.
We can offer private instruction so you can choose your level of exposure and not have any worries about effecting other group members.
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I'm buying a pair of rock boots for the course what would you recommend?
Climbing: The main consideration is comfort to be able to keep the rock boots on all day without screaming in agony. Shop assistants will often say you need a tight fit (top performers will sometimes wear boots one ar two sizes below shoe size) in order to reduce any slippage of the boot on the foot, this is not as important as comfort when climbing below the extreme grades.
There are numerous types and makes of boot they come in either boot, shoe or slipper form and are designed for edging (using the edge of the boot on small holds) or smearing (using the friction of the base of the sole) or a combination of the two.

Recommended Gear:

Scarpa Helix Rock boot
High on comfort, low on price. Ideal for our rock climbing courses.
Price £50

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When is the best time to come for snow?
The best time to come as you can imagine is a common question. Winter
conditions come and go very quickly in Wales so picking the best time can be
a bit of a lottery. February is likely to be the most reliable and therefore
busiest time, and our increase in price then reflects it. Having said that
our best conditions in recent years have come early and late!
For current and past (since 98) snow conditions see Snow Report .
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Are my ordinary walking boots adequate for this course?
Boots for winter use need to be more rigid than for summer use The sole
should only flex a few degrees , the upper should not compress under crampon
straps, and they should provide enough ankle support to traverse relatively
steep slopes. The rigidity of a boot will vary with age and size (of boot)
so particular models may or may not meet the above requirements.
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How fit and experienced do I need to be?
It is preferable to have had some previous experience of summer hill walking before attempting the mountains of Snowdonia in winter.
The extra weight of ice axe crampons and clothing mean you are carrying more than in summer. Stops and breaks are less frequent and shorter than in summer. The going under foot can be tougher especially in icy or deep snow cover.
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How much scrambling experience is required to complete the "Welsh 3000's"?
The Welsh 3000's requires the ability to scramble at grade 1 the lowest of
the 3 grades of scrambling. Grade 1 is where you are having to use your
hands on the rock, but the majority of people would feel they could cope
without the need of a rope.
Crib Goch and Tryfan north ridge are the 2 main scrambles. These are of a
similar standard although Crib Goch is a knife edge arête where the
exposure (drops on either side) is felt more.
Provided you have a reasonable level of fitness( able to cope with a 10 hour
day of walking on the mountains) and feel your head for heights isn't too
bad then someone new to scrambling should be able to cope with our long
weekend
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Copyright © 1999 [High Trek Snowdonia]. All rights reserved. Revised: September 05, 2004 High Trek Snowdonia Tal y Waen Deiniolen Gwynedd Wales LL55 3NA Tel:01286 871232 Email mail@hightrek.co.uk www.climbing-wales.co.uk www.snowdonia-cottage.co.uk www.wales-guide.com