Hike

Adventure Week Summer Camp

This is a five day holiday including some of the most fun and exciting activities you can do in Britain's mountains and coastline for young people aged 12 - 17 years old. Each day will be unique, challenging, and is sure to be memorable. You don't need any previous experience, just plenty of enthusiasm to have some fun in the mountains and to make new friends experiencing the following activities; Bouldering and rock climbing (both indoor and outdoor), orienteering, canoeing and kayaking, mountain walking, scrambling and gorge walking, sea level traversing/coasteering and learn to build and paddle your own raft.

Complete Mountain Skills

You've got some basic hillwalking experience and now you want to push yourself to be able to walk on steeper, more remote or mountainous terrain.

This five-day course, with a two-day expedition and remote wild camp, is a great introduction to wild walking in the British and Irish mountains. Go walking amongst some of the UKs most beautiful terrain, and take in stunning scenery on a course that will leave you equipped and inspired to access the outdoors again and again in the future.

The beauty of the UKs mountains can be accessed by anyone with the right set of skills and the right knowledge. After this course you will be able to safely explore further and wilder places.

This course covers the Mountain Training Mountain Skills syllabus with added extras, such as an expedition, and time for consolidation. If you wish to receive accreditation from Mountain Training, you can register with for this separately via their website.

Complete Navigation Skills

Build and develop your navigational skills and give yourself the confidence to explore scenic hills and majestic mountains. Over the two days, our expert, highly-qualified instructors will cover all aspects of navigation with you, and leave you feeling ready to explore on your own and with friends. You’ll learn how to find your way in good weather and bad, in daylight and in the middle of the night. The majority of your learning will take place out in the stunning hills and mountains of Snowdonia, making the most of the beautifully varied terrain to help develop your knowledge and skills.

Family Adventure – 2 Day

2 days of fun and adventure for your family, experience new and exciting sports that can take you on a lifetime of adventures, from canoeing and kayaking to rock climbing and gorge walking, all in the Snowdonia National park. Read more

Hill And Moorland Leader Assessment

The Mountain Training Hill and Moorland Leader qualification is designed to train and assess those who wish to lead hill walking groups on day walks in defined terrain in summer conditions. You'll spend three mainly practical days on the local hills and moors showing us that you've got the skills to meet the standards set by Mountain Training.

Hill And Moorland Leader Training

If you want to learn the skills required for effective group leadership in the hill and moorland areas of the UK and Ireland, this is the ideal qualification. It's used extensively by many walk leaders and outdoor instructors as well as those involved with delivering the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Hill and Moorland Leaders operate in terrain that's generally more remote than that covered by Lowland Leaders, and not as steep or rocky as ground covered by Mountain Leaders. It's based on the Mountain Training syllabus, and you'll get a mix of theory and practical sessions, taking advantage of our excellent classroom facilities as well as Snowdonia's spectacular hills and moorlands. Our highly qualified and experienced instructors will cover weather, group leader responsibilities, risk assessment and dealing with emergencies. Your practical sessions will cover walking, route finding in the hills, navigation and leadership.

Hill Skills

This two-day course is a perfect introduction to hillwalking for anyone. You'll cover where to walk, what to wear, how to plan and follow routes, useful information about the upland environment and weather, and what to do if things don't go to plan. You'll be learning from our highly qualified instructors and developing your new skills as you explore the peaks of Snowdonia. Read more

Hill Skills for Women – 2 Day

This two-day course is a perfect introduction to hillwalking for women. You'll cover where to walk, what to wear, how to plan and follow routes, useful information about the upland environment and weather, and what to do if things don't go to plan. You'll be learning from our highly qualified instructors and developing your new skills as you explore the peaks of Snowdonia. Read more

International Mountain Leader Assessment Summer

Your assessment takes place over four days, it will take the form of a 3 day hut based journey with overnights in high mountain huts and gites and a day walk. You'll be assessed on your practical application of leadership, environmental knowledge, route choice, group care, navigation and many other skills, as well as your fitness. You'll also complete a home paper, prepare two 10 minute 'on the hill' environmental presentations, a route planning exercise and present your Leader's resource file. You'll need to be at the top of your game for this expedition-based assessment - fit, acclimatised and familiar with all aspects of the syllabus. Please come with a packed rucksack, food and drink and dressed for a day walk in the local area. You'll also need with you your logbook/DLog, first aid certificate, leader’s resource pack, home preparation paper and travel insurance.

International Mountain Leader Assessment Winter

This five day assessment is the final stage you're required to complete before qualifying as an International Mountain Leader. You'll be assessed on the skills and techniques required for an IML to safely lead groups in appropriate terrain in winter conditions. Your technical skills will also be assessed; personal movement with and without snowshoes, use of ice axe and ropes as emergency tools, transceiver use and search skills, snow pack evaluation, avalanche awareness and use of maps and guides for planning appropriate winter journeys.You'll need to be familiar with, and prepared to demonstrate all aspects of the International Mountain Leader syllabus. A copy of the candidate handbook can be downloaded from the Mountain Training website.

International Mountain Leader Training Summer

You want to be a Mountain Leader in Europe and further afield. This five day summer training course, based at Plas y Brenin, is your first step to achieving that. You'll have a mix of theory and practical sessions, covering a wide range of topics including; anatomy and physiology, legal liability, altitude, marketing, leadership, rope work, navigation, altimeters, and environmental considerations, as well as covering many other aspects of working with trekking groups in the mountains of the world. You'll also take an assessed, timed navigation test. You'll be learning from some of the best in their field who will also support you to develop an individual action plan (a key part of this course) to help you progress through the next three stages of the qualification. On completion of the summer IML training course, you can progress to the Summer assessment or the Winter training course, both of which are based in the European Alps. This gives you some flexibility to complete the courses most appropriate to you.

International Mountain Leader Training Winter

You'll be equipped for more than just 'coping with winter' as you hone the skills you need to look after your group on snow - whatever the season. Our highly qualified experienced instructors will develop your knowledge of all aspects of the winter environment through both practical application on the mountains and some short technical lectures. As always, the skills of navigating will form an integral part of each day's activities.

Introduction to Navigation

You're new to hillwalking and want to be able to navigate confidently. Let our friendly, highly experienced instructors show you every aspect of basic navigation from symbols, scales and grid references to ground shape, measuring distance, taking bearings and using a compass. And take in the spectacular Snowdonia scenery as we get you 'out on the hill' to learn. it's the perfect course to equip you with the basic skills to explore the mountains with confidence.

Introduction To Scrambling – 2 Days

Scrambling will allow you to reach further on your adventures, opening up wilder places and steeper slopes. On your ‘Introduction to Scrambling’ course you will traverse some of Snowdonia's classic rocky ridges, with us helping you every step of the way.

If you're a summer hillwalker and you're interested in learning how to move over steep and rocky ground safely, with skills that can be transferred to any destination, this is the ideal course for you.

Introduction To Scrambling – 5 Days

For anybody who enjoys moving through the hills and mountains, scrambling opens up a whole new world of challenges and excitement. We’ll teach you how to move over steep ground safely and reach places that require a little more judgement but yield even bigger rewards. Our highly qualified instructors will cover how to identify and choose scrambling routes wisely, movement skills and techniques that will allow you to access steeper terrain confidently and competently, and navigational tips and tricks while out on route.

The majority of your learning will take place out on some of Snowdonia’s most classic and exciting scrambles and rocky ridges, meaning you’ll constantly be honing and refining your developing skills. At the end of the five days, you’ll have the confidence to explore some classic mountain routes.

Lowland Leader Assessment

The assessment course is designed to give candidates the opportunity to prove that they can operate as a Mountain Training Lowland Leader at a nationally recognised standard. You'll show us that you can put all the necessary skills from your Lowland Leader training into practice during this two-day assessment.

Lowland Leader Training

A lowland leader qualification will allow you to lead groups on day trips in lowland countryside in summer conditions. You'll cover the areas of knowledge you need to guide people in the countryside and woodland, including: leadership skills and group management, walking skills, planning a walk, basic mapwork and route-finding skills, equipment hazards, and emergency procedures. We'll also look at: environmental awareness, conservation, access, and land ownership. Our friendly, highly qualified instructors will put you through your paces on this mostly practical course, to hone your skills in these areas.

Mountain Leader Assessment Summer

This is a five-day Mountain Leader assessment course that will really test your leadership skills in the hills. You'll need to show that you have all the skills needed to lead groups safely on mountain walks; including strong navigation skills, leadership ability and environmental knowledge. Within the week you’ll take in a three-day expedition with wild camping out in beautiful Snowdonia as your experience on our Mountain Leader training course and consolidation period is put to the test.

Mountain Leader Summer Refresher

We'll get you ready for your assessment on this two-day Mountain Leader refresher course. You'll be able to cover anything you want to brush up on. The focus is usually on Navigation, steep ground leadership, environment and ropework but, every course is different! We will chat with you about what you’ve done so far, and what you need to work on, and go from there!

Mountain Leader Training Summer

The Mountain Leader scheme is designed for you if you want to lead groups in the mountains, hills and moorlands of the UK and Ireland. Mountain Leaders operate the length and breadth of the country with all sorts of groups of people. The qualification is what you make it and there are countless opportunities for passionate Mountain Leaders. If you love being out in the mountains and want to share your enthusiasm with others, become a Mountain Leader and you’ll never look back. You'll get a mix of theory and practical sessions, taking advantage of our excellent classroom facilities as well as Snowdonia's spectacular mountains. Our highly qualified and experienced instructors will cover weather, group leader responsibilities, risk assessment and dealing with emergencies. Your practical sessions will cover walking, route finding in the hills, navigation and leadership.

Mountain Skills

If you want to make the move from hillwalking to mountaineering, this two day Mountain Skills course will help you progress. Push yourself to walk on steeper, remoter or more mountainous terrain as your instructor introduces you to the new considerations you’ll have to take into account when walking on British and Irish mountains.

Covering everything from pace and nutrition, to clothing systems and weather and navigation, this course will set you up with the basic skills you need to feel safer walking in mountainous terrain where you might be further from the path, and in more unpredictable conditions. The rewards of pushing your walks further and higher are immense, and this course could help you unlock them.

This course covers the Mountain Training Mountain Skills syllabus. If you wish to receive Mountain Training Mountain Skills accreditation you will need to register for this with www.mountain-training.org

Scottish Winter Mountaineering

You're a dedicated hillwalker who wants to take things up a level and become a true 'mountaineer', tackling the more challenging peaks of Glencoe and Lochaber in winter. You'll need the full array of mountaineering skills that this course is designed to deliver. Our top class instructors will combine practical instruction with ascents of many of the finest summits in the Western Highlands to develop your winter skills on steeper snow and winter scrambling terrain. You'll cover winter navigation, and avalanche evaluation alongside the emergency procedures of building a snow shelter and basic ropework for steep ground. You'll get masses of practical experience during the day, and we'll share our expert technical knowledge with you through a series of evening lectures to reinforce what you've learned out on the mountains. This course will be delivered from our scenic winter base in Scotland, the Alltshellach hotel in North Ballachulish.

Scottish Winter Skills

Take your first step to enjoying the mountains in winter with our intensive, five-day winter skills course based in Glen Coe. You'll gain confidence in a wide range of winter specific skills, including how to choose and use winter equipment, basic winter navigation, safety and avalanche risk assessment. Our friendly, highly experienced instructors will make sure that you have covered what you need to know to explore the mountains all year round.

This course will be delivered from our scenic winter base in Scotland, the Alltshellach Hotel in North Ballachulish.

Welsh 3000s Challenge

Are you looking to test your physical and mental mettle? Take on the Fifteen Peaks Challenge and find out what you’re made of. Covering 15 of Snowdonia’s highest mountains, this journey will take you through stunning scenery on an exciting week-long adventure.

Whether you’re on a personal mission or are part of a group looking to make a team effort, this exciting challenge is a real achievement. You’ll total an ascent of 14,000ft as you admire the view from the top of some of the National Park's finest mountains, including Snowdon, Tryfan, the Glyders, Y Garn and all the Carneddau peaks.

Definitely one to tick off the bucket list.

Welsh 3000s Winter Challenge

Are you up to it? The Fifteen Peaks is known as one of the UK’s toughest fitness challenges, and you’ll be taking it on in winter. If you’re looking for an event to train for, a team bonding experience, or simply a personal goal to achieve; the Fifteen Peaks is the one to sign up for.

Join us on this five-day guided traverse, attempting to take in all fifteen of Snowdonia's highest peaks. You’ll be blown away by the incredible scenery.

If you’re a seasoned summer hillwalker, and new to the winter experience, you’ll get some essential winter skills tuition. And if you’ve already tackled some winter terrain, you’ll be able to develop your capabilities further.

The weather can be unpredictable at this time of year, so we allow plenty of time to organise and take on each day’s activity with this in mind – aiming to conquer all fifteen peaks during your stay.

 Read more

Welsh Winter Mountaineering

Exploring the mountains in winter is an exciting challenge, and ultimately a very rewarding one. The feeling of reaching a peak having navigated varied, icy and snowy terrain is like no other and offers summit views that are unbeatable.

If you're a summer hillwalker and you want to extend your skills to all four seasons and access these moments, Welsh Winter Mountaineering is the course for you. On your five days with us you'll make the most of the unpredictable weather experienced during the winter months and learn alongside our friendly, highly experienced instructors.

You'll develop your skills in winter navigation, ropework for travel over rock, snow and ice, and cover emergency bivouacking skills as well as learning the use and choice of ice axe and crampons.

Kit: Don’t worry about having all the kit, as whilst you’ll need to bring your own personal essentials (like your toothbrush), you can arrange to hire more technical, specialist kit like an ice axe, crampons, winter mountaineering boots and a helmet, from the Plas y Brenin equipment store.

Kit hire is included in the price shown, subject to availability, and is sourced from leading manufacturers and checked to the latest safety requirements. You’ll find a comprehensive equipment list below.

Included in the price: Five nights’ accommodation on a bed, breakfast and evening meal* basis, plus packed lunches on course days. Expert instruction, kit hire, in-course transport, use of the on-site facilities and the all-important Wi-Fi password.

Provision of accommodation begins on the night prior to the start of the course and is not included on the final evening. *Dinner is not provided on the evening prior to the start of the course, nor on the final day of your course. Subject to availability and at an additional cost, extra meals and accommodation can be provide.

We are hugely experienced in preparing delicious meals for a wide range of requirements. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Age restrictions: The minimum participation age for this course is 14 years. Details about the required consents, permissions and the legal responsibilities of parent/guardian(s) can be found here https://www.pyb.co.uk/terms-conditions/

Welsh Winter Skills

Up your winter walking game with our intensive, two-day winter skills course in spectacular Snowdonia scenery. On this Welsh Winter Skills course you'll gain confidence with a wide range of winter specific mountaineering concerns, including how to choose and use winter equipment, basic winter navigation, and safety.

Our friendly, highly experienced instructors will cover what you need to know, to make navigating winter landscapes safer for you. This course will set you up to explore the countryside with greater freedom year-round.

Kit: Don’t worry about having all the kit, as whilst you’ll need to bring your own personal essentials (like your toothbrush), you can arrange to hire more technical, specialist kit like an ice axe, crampons, winter mountaineering boots and a helmet, from the Plas y Brenin equipment store.
Kit hire is included in the price shown, subject to availability, and is sourced from leading manufacturers and checked to the latest safety requirements. You’ll find a comprehensive equipment list below.

Included in the residential price: Two nights’ accommodation on a bed, breakfast and evening meal* basis, plus packed lunches on course days. Expert instruction, kit hire, in-course transport, use of the on-site facilities and the all-important Wi-Fi password.
Provision of accommodation begins on the night prior to the start of the course and is not included on the final evening. *Dinner is not provided on the evening prior to the start of the course, nor on the final day of your course. Subject to availability and at an additional cost, extra meals and accommodation can be provided.

We are hugely experienced in preparing delicious meals for a wide range of requirements. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

Age restrictions: The minimum participation age for this course is 14 years. Details about the required age consents, permissions and the legal requirements of parent/guardian(s) can be found here: https://www.pyb.co.uk/terms-conditions/

Winter Mountain Leader Assessment

Passing a Winter Mountain Leader assessment is often cited as being the high point of people’s Mountain Training journeys, and for good reason. It’s an incredibly well-respected qualification and is a big tick for every outdoor professional or enthusiast, as our WML trainers and assessors know only too well, having been there themselves.

When you’re ready for your assessment we welcome you to join us in Glen Coe and demonstrate your ability to safely lead groups in winter. We hope you not only show you’re at the standard, but leave the course with extra skills and confidence in the mountains.

THESE COURSES ARE RESIDENTIAL TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL CANDIDATES ARE FULLY MAINTAINED. ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING IS PROVIDED FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR COURSE STARTS, AND FINISHES WITH BREAKFAST ON THE MORNING AFTER YOUR COURSE ENDS.

NON- RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS CAN BE NEGOTIATED, PLEASE CONTACT PYB DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS.

Winter Mountain Leader Training

If you love winter walking and want to share that passion with others, the Winter Mountain Leader is quite literally, just the ticket. Over the course of a week we’ll cover the major syllabus areas set out by Mountain Training Scotland to look after people in the winter environment as practically as possible. Expect six big days on the hill, including an overnight expedition, and to finish the course with more confidence in your own abilities as a winter mountaineer.

We’re perfectly placed to make the most of conditions and really explore the scope of the scheme with the broad variety of mountain terrain on our doorstep, including Glen Coe, the Mamores, the Grey Corries and Ben Nevis. Delivering WML training is a real privilege for our passionate staff team, we can’t wait to share all the tips and tricks we’ve learnt from years of combined experience working in the winter mountains.

THESE COURSES ARE ALL FULLY RESIDENTIAL TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF QUALITY AND SAFETY FOR ALL CANDIDATES ARE ALWAYS MAINTAINED. ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING IS PROVIDED FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE YOUR COURSE STARTS, AND FINISHES WITH BREAKFAST ON THE MORNING AFTER YOUR COURSE ENDS.

NON- RESIDENTIAL OPTIONS CAN BE CONSIDERED, PLEASE CONTACT PYB DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS.