Do you like the sound of free skills workshops and inspirational talks in the heart of Snowdonia? Then come along to the annual BMC Cymru Wales FunDay and AGM at Plas y Brenin on Saturday 31 October.
There will be three free workshop sessions available on the day, starting from 11.00am; covering navigation, scrambling and introductions to mountain running and big wall climbing, there is something of interest for most outdoor enthusiasts, but with only 18 places available you better get booked in quickly! These workshops are only available for those attending the BMC Cymru AGM later in the evening, when we will also have two inspiring free talks.
At the evening AGM, we’ll be looking to elect a new area chair, and there are vacancies for other important volunteer roles too; and the day will be rounded off by talks from a couple of inspirational speakers.
The Workshops
Navigation
This workshop will help fine tune mountain navigation skills for hill walkers and be run by an experienced member of the Plas y Brenin staff team.
For this workshop you will need to bring suitable hill walking clothing, sturdy footwear such as approach shoes or mountain boots, full body waterproofs, a warm layer and a rucksack with water and a snack, a map of Snowdonia and a compass.
This workshop will be most useful for keen hill walkers looking at improving their navigation skills to give them more confidence to head off the beaten track.
Meet at the Plas y Brenin bar at 11.00am; maximum ratio 1:6.
Scrambling
This workshop will look into route choice on scrambles, movement skills on rock and staying safe on the hill. All this will be pulled together by an experienced member of the Plas y Brenin staff team.
For this workshop you will need to bring suitable hill walking clothing, sturdy footwear such as approach shoes or mountain boots, full body waterproofs, a warm layer and a rucksack with water and a snack.
This workshop will be most useful for keen hill walkers looking to expand their repertoire in the mountains and gain greater confidence and independence on rugged terrain.
Meet at the Plas y Brenin bar at 11.00am; maximum ratio 1:6.
Introduction to Big Wall Climbing with Calum Muskett
This workshop will concentrate on the essential skills necessary for big wall climbing, namely: jumaring techniques; hauling with different devices; id climbing and lowering out; big wall ropework; and planning for the wall.
For this workshop you will need to bring with you a harness, belay plate and helmet. If you have jumars, etriers, pulleys or pulley traxion devices, then please bring them along as well.
This workshop will be most useful for regular climbers looking to progress from multi-pitch climbing to climbing multi-day big walls such as El Capitan.
Meet at the Plas y Brenin bar at 11.00am. The session will take place on the PYB training wall and at a local crag if the weather is suitable; maximum ratio 1:6.
How to book a workshop
Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis. To make a booking please email Calum Muskett with your preferred workshop.
As of 28 October, there are three free places on the big wall climbing workshop and one free place on the navigation workshop.
The BMC Cymru Wales AGM: hot food and hot topics
The BMC Cymru Wales AGM and local area meeting will also take place on Saturday 31 October at Plas y Brenin.
Hot food (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) will be served from 7.00pm followed immediately by a serving of hot discussion topics at the AGM and local area meeting.
One of the functions of the AGM is to elect officers for a range of volunteer roles in the area. This year, area chair Tom Hutton is stepping down after five years’ sterling service and there are a number of other vacant roles.
Read about the roles of elected area officers and how to stand for election
Download the BMC Cymru October newsletter
All are welcome, whether you've been on a workshop, or just been doing your own thing.
Free talks by Nick Livesey and Tom Livingstone
We have the good fortune to be able to host two inspirational speakers at this year’s AGM. We have the outstanding landscape photographer Nick Livesey who will be taking us on a journey through the mountains in 2D and talking us through some fantastic photographs and the processes he used to capture them. We will also have the up and coming British mountaineer Tom Livingstone who is never short of a good story or ten and will be talking about some of his more recent alpine exploits. These talks are free to all those attending the BMC AGM and will also be open for Plas y Brenin guests to attend. Talks commence at 8.30pm.
How to find Plas y Brenin
Plas y Brenin is situated on the A4086, about 400 metres from the village of Capel Curig and the junction with the A5.
For directions by road and train, and for travel maps, visit the Plas y Brenin website
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