AFS MOUNTAINEERING
Guided Mountain Days & Big Adventures
I put on a number of planned guided trips throughout the year which are open to anyone:
Day Walks - Mountain Challenge Days - Munro Bagging (single days through to wilderness treks) - Special Events (Dark Skies Festivals & Educational Days Out)
These are also social in that you can meet people with similar interests, start new friendships and explore more.
Have a look below at what takes your interest!
Some events such as outdoor to climbing tend to be publicised on our Facebook page at short notice (as climbing is so weather dependent). So do follow our page.
Guided Mountain Days & Big Adventures
Challenge yourself!
See Britain as you've never seen it before!
Whatever the weather is doing, heading up to the highest mountains in Britain can be exhilarating, rewarding, mindful and profound experiences. Escaping the normal hustle and bustle of normal life for a day or more.
Whether it's a first venture into the higher mountains, your first wilderness camping excursion, to come and bag some Munros or Wainwrights, or meet new people, we have numerous open events each year that cover everything from single hill day walks, a weekend of separate walks in an area through to multi-day wilderness wildcamping treks.
Some events we announce at really short notice on the AFS Mountaineering Facebook Page when we get a weather window so do "like" the page to get updates!
We deal with the route planning and guiding, leaving you to enjoy the day, take photographs, have a new adventure and chat to folk!
We put on a number of planned guided trips throughout the year which are open to anyone:
-
Day Walks
-
Mountain Challenge Days
-
Munro Bagging (single days through to wilderness treks)
-
These are also social in that you can meet people with similar interests, start new friendships and explore more. Have a look below at what takes your interest!Some events such as outdoor to climbing tend to be publicised on our Facebook page at short notice (as climbing is so weather dependent). So do follow our page.
If the dates don't work for you or you want to go somewhere not shown, please just get in touch about arranging a private trip for you and your friends / family.
We grade the walks and trips with a grading system of 1-5 (where 1 is a straight forward beginners day on good tracks and 5 are long and strenuous mountain days).
Level 1 - Short Easy Hill Walks
These are either quite short routes and/or follow good paths and tracks on approach, ascent and descent. There may be short steeper sections but on a path. Moderate level of fitness is required.
Level 2 - Longer Easy Hill Walks
Approach on tracks or good paths. May include grassy ascents and descents. Decent level of fitness with a moderate level of stamina required for the day.
Level 3 - Moderate Mountain Day
Approaches and terrain not necessarily on paths. Some steep ascents or descents. May include occasional boulderfields or scree and some ridge walking. You will want to have undertaken some previous walks in the mountains (e.g. Ben Nevis Tourist Track, Snowdon Llanberis track, Scafell Pike from Wasdale)
Level 4 - Challengin & Long Mountain Day(s)
Long approaches which may be over rough terrain. Several steep ascents or descents. Some rough terrain (boulderfields, scree, bogs or deep heather). Possible and occasional easy ungraded rock-scrambling which will be highlighted in the event description. You will need to be a fairly regular hill walker in different weather conditions and have a good level of fitness and stamina. Taster wilderness trips fall into this category.
Level 5 - Challenging & Long Wilderness Mountain Day(s)
These will be similar to a red Level 4 event except that we will be wilderness backpacking for several successive days (therefore carrying our camping kit and food for several days). The additional weight and bulk can add to the difficulty on even quite easy terrain. You will need to be a regular hill walker in different weather conditions and have a good level of fitness and stamina.
The upcoming published events are shown below. These are regularly updated. Please click on each to find out more about a particular event and book. Any questions please just get in touch. To find out about courses please see the main Skills Courses page in the top menu.
You can jump to a season if you're looking for holiday ideas or simply search the site (top right hand corner of the top menu)
January 2022
Geminids Dark Skies December 2019
Dark Skies & Mindfulness
In collaboration with Adventures for the Soul
Level 1 walk - Short easy hill walk
Adventures for the Soul and AFS Mountaineering put on a range of night walks on the North York Moors. These are very much based around mindfulness and at times Yoga. For a full range of dates, please see the Adventures for the Soul website or click here.
For more information and to book:
Ingleborough Summit, January 2017
Yorkshire Three Peaks in Winter
Saturday 29th January 2022
Level 4 walk - Challenging and Long Mountain Day
We're going to take in these three magnificent hills in winter. We may even get some spectacular sunrises/sunsets (weather dependent). Heading out to the hills in winter can be hard work but incredibly rewarding. It can be a truly wild experience!
For more information and to book:
February 2022
I've not got any open guided trips planned for February. I am available for private guiding during weekdays when not running courses. I will be running a range of navigation courses in the Howgill Fells and winter skills courses in the Cairngorms. Please see the Courses page for details.
March 2022
During March I am mainly running courses but I'm available for private guiding or running private navigation / winter skills courses.
Glenshee, March 2006
The Glenshee Munros
Friday 11th - Sunday 13th March 2022
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Days
The Glenshee Munros are arguably straight forward. The large eastern plateau offers 6 Munros in a day in summer whereas to the west lies the Cairnwell three. Behind these are some slightly remoter and more challenging hills though compared to their more northern cousins on the higher main Cairngorms Plateau, they are relatively straight forward. These can be great late winter days out. The ski centre detritus litters these hills in summer making three of them at least rather grim and sad places. Once past the ski areas they offer fabulous days walking.
For more information and to book:
April 2022
April sees the alpine season in the highlands - very often blue skies, warm in the glens, no midges and snow-capped summits. It's a magical time of year.
Ben Nevis, April 2004
Ben Nevis in Spring
Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd or Friday 15th April
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Day
Come and climb Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain! Only £79pp with discounts available, come and stand on the top of Britain!
En route up Stob Binnein, October 2019
The Crianlarich Munros
Friday 8th - Sunday 10th April 2022
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Days
The Crianlarichs are epic. They are the first mountains over 1100m in Britain when travelling up from southern Scotland, England or Wales. There are 7 of them which we'll attempt over 3 days. This is a whole mountain range! And it's stunning. They can be done in a single huge day but we'll be ticking them off over 3 days.
Glen Shiel Ridge, April 2021
Kintail's Brothers & Sisters Munros
Saturday 17th - Sunday 18th April 2022
Level 4 walks - Challenging & long mountain days
The popular trip to the epic Glen Shiel is back again having had to be cancelled in 2020!
Glen Shiel is famous for its battles with the Jacobite rising. It's also famous for being the Road to the Isles, absolutely stunning and having no fewer than 22 Munros on offer. We'll be looking to explore the North Glen Shiel Ridge - the 5 Sisters of Kintail (with 3 Munros) and the four Brothers (4 Munros)
Beinn a'Ghlo in January 2017
Beinn a'Ghlo & the Blair Atholl Munros
Tuesday 19th - Thursday 21st April 2022
Level 4 walk - Challenging and Long Mountain Days
Beinn a'Ghlo is a huge mound boasting 3 Munros. Beinn Dearg and Carn a' Chlamain are two remote Munros that are accessible, but requires long days out in winter. These impressive mountains are big days out but hugely rewarding experiences.
For more information and to book:
Cairngorms, August 2020
Cairngorms 4000s Wilderness Trek
Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th April 2022
Level 5 walks - Challenging & long wilderness mountain days
There are 5 Munros over 4,000ft in the Cairngorms (the only other 4,000+ft mountains in Britain are over with Ben Nevis). The Cairngorms are huge rounded lumps with deep glens. We'll take in all 5 of these giant Munros (plus a few other Munros en route) over two days with a wildcamp half way round. Experience the wilderness like never before! If you're new to wildcamping this could be perfect for you.
An teallach, May 2019
An Teallach
Friday 29th April
Level 4 walks - Challenging & long mountain days
The landscape holds some of Scotland's most iconic mountains, one of which is An Teallach which we're planning to ascend on this exciting day. An Teallach's crests with their pinnacles towering above dark corries dominate the skyline from Little Loch Broom and Dundonnell.
May 2022
During Spring 2022 (April - June) I will mainly be around the Highlands of Scotland on the Munros! Early spring can be positively alpine. Warm in the glens, sunny clear blue skies and crisp snow-capped mountains. The planned events are below:
Liathach from Beinn Eighe, May 2019
The Torridon Giants
Friday 6th - Sunday 8th May 2022
Level 4 walk - Challenging and long mountain days
The three Torridon Giants of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe are magnificent and ancient. Torridonian sandstone is amongst the oldest rock groups in Britain. These gnarly old mountains each boast 2 Munros and a host of secondary tops and pinnacles. They are rewarding and scrambly (especially Liathach) though many of the difficulties can be avoided. A head for heights is needed!
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Fisherfields, May 2008
Fisherfield Wilderness Munro Trek
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th May 2022
Level 5 walks - Challenging & long wilderness mountain days
Perhaps the last wilderness left in Britain and arguably the remotest Munros. These can be done individually over several extremely long days. Or you can head into this magnificent area and wildcamp. This enables you to explore this stunning area - home to some of the best views in Britain. Perhaps given the effort it takes to get there!
An teallach, May 2019
An Teallach
Friday 20th May 2022
Level 4 walks - Challenging & long mountain days
The landscape holds some of Scotland's most iconic mountains, one of which is An Teallach which we're planning to ascend on this exciting day. An Teallach's crests with their pinnacles towering above dark corries dominate the skyline from Little Loch Broom and Dundonnell.
Beinn Dearg approach, May 2020
The Alpine Beinn Dearg Range (Ullapool)
Saturday 21st - Monday 23rd May 2022
Level 4 walks - Challenging & long mountain days
These hills mark a boundary between what most in Britain consider is a normal landscape and something that is completely far out. Heading further north from Ullapool opens up a landscape which seemingly shouldn't exist in tidy Britain. It is wild. Hills rise almost out of nowhere and stand isolated. These hills are accessible but remote requiring long days. However, for the views they offer they are extremely rewarding!
Ben Nevis, August 2020
Ben Nevis in Spring
Saturday 28th May
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Day
Come and climb Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain! Only £79pp with discounts available, come and stand on the top of Britain! We will be aiming to take less busy routes up The Ben if and wherever possible.
June 2022
Rough Bounds, February 2010
The Rough Bounds of Knoydart
Friday 3rd - Sunday 5th June 2022
Level 4 walks - Challenging & long mountain days
Rising high above Loch Arkaig and Loch Quoich, the mountains on the eastern fringes of the 'Rough Bounds of Knoydart' are rugged and wild. These majestic peaks are remote from civilisation giving a real sense of wilderness to anyone hiking here. We're here for 3 days of guided hiking aiming up the high Munro summits including Sgurr na Ciche, Sgurr Mor and Gairich.
Beinn Bhreac, March 2017
Braemar Bike n Hike -The Ben Avon 4
Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th June 2022
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Day
North of Braemar, ancient pine forests full of wildlife hide below vast plateaus. On higher ground, ptarmigan and hare bound around and the unusual volcanic tors on Ben Avon entertain inquisitive folk. We're biking into the heart of this area, from where we'll hike up to the high peaks above this land.
Ben Nevis, August 2021
Ben Nevis
Saturday 27th August 2022
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Day
Come and climb Ben Nevis, Britain's highest mountain! I'll be in the area for the Scottish Bank Holiday. Only £59pp with discounts available, come and stand on the top of Britain! We will be aiming to take less busy routes up The Ben if and wherever possible.
July 2022
Liathach from Beinn Eighe, May 2019
The Torridon Giants
Saturday 2nd - Monday 4th July 2022
Level 4 walk - Challenging and long mountain days
The three Torridon Giants of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe are magnificent and ancient. Torridonian sandstone is amongst the oldest rock groups in Britain. These gnarly old mountains each boast 2 Munros and a host of secondary tops and pinnacles. They are rewarding and scrambly (especially Liathach) though many of the difficulties can be avoided. A head for heights is needed!
Views up Llanberis Pass from Llanberis, May 2018
Snowdon
Saturday 23rd or Sunday 24th July 2022
Level 2 walk - Longer easier hill walks
Snowdonia boasts and amazing array of landscapes and geology in a relatively small area. Rising out of the sea it can be seen from the relatively flat island of Anglesea as a dark brooding barrier to the mainland.
Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales and has a number of different approaches to the summit. We'll have an enjoyable day and choose one which suits the group and the weather!
Views up Wasdale, May 2018
Scafell Pike
Saturday 30th or Sunday 31st July 2022
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Day
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and is found on the west coast of the Lake District National Park. We'll be taking a different (quieter) route from the standard 'tourist track' although we may join it for the final stretch.
August 2022
Cairngorms, August 2020
Cairngorms 4000s Wilderness Trek
Saturday 23rd - Sunday 24th April 2022
Level 5 walks - Challenging & long wilderness mountain days
There are 5 Munros over 4,000ft in the Cairngorms (the only other 4,000+ft mountains in Britain are over with Ben Nevis). The Cairngorms are huge rounded lumps with deep glens. We'll take in all 5 of these giant Munros (plus a few other Munros en route) over two days with a wildcamp half way round. Experience the wilderness like never before! If you're new to wildcamping this could be perfect for you.
Liathach from Beinn Eighe, May 2019
The Torridon Giants
Saturday 2nd - Monday 4th July 2022
Level 4 walk - Challenging and long mountain days
The three Torridon Giants of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe are magnificent and ancient. Torridonian sandstone is amongst the oldest rock groups in Britain. These gnarly old mountains each boast 2 Munros and a host of secondary tops and pinnacles. They are rewarding and scrambly (especially Liathach) though many of the difficulties can be avoided. A head for heights is needed!
Picture coming soon
NEW TRIP TBC
Tuesday 23rd August - Thursday 25th August 2022
Level 3 walk - Moderate Mountain Day
We'll be walking the fabulous Mammores including the famous Ring of Steall. With 10 Munros on offer, this is a challenging trip involving a head for heights. But with beautiful views down to Glencoe and across to Ben Nevis, The Aonachs and Grey Corries!
Ben Nevis, August 2021