Thanks for your company and for a great couple of days. Thanks especially  to Graham and Owen for  a superb day on Y Garn . I’m inspired but re-assured  and planning to book the big trip next.

Lee Conlin March 26th 2016

Dear MBG

I would be grateful if you could pass on my comments to John Taylor in appreciation of the course I attended during the past few days.Having already committed to the 6 day Alpine course in June this year, I elected to attend the North Wales training course based on the advice provided on the MBG website and the previous testimonials. Naturally, I was a little uncertain about what to expect and what the course would provide.

The course exceeded my expectations with a simple well thought out agenda that was delivered in a relaxed yet professional style.Over the two days we enjoyed the best and worst of the Welsh weather!, and despite this, the guides stuck to the task remaining positive and engaging, spending time getting to know the attendees and providing “one to one” coaching. We picked up many new skills and techniques on the fells – learning to operate with ropes working together as a team to move quickly and safely up and down the crags. In addition we were given practical tips on the correct selection of equipment and how to be energy efficient when operating in the mountains.

I would like to thank Graham McMahon for the two days, Graham’s personal touch immediately settles the nerves and gets the focus going, proving practical answers to questions and concerns, whilst making the experience thoroughly enjoyable and fun – the time flew by!

I would recommend this course to anyone wishing to pick up new mountaineering skills and improve their training and planning for a trip to the Alps with MBG as well as improving general mountain skills to use at home in the UK. I left the course wanting to go back and do it again the next day just for fun and with a renewed vigour to practice the skills I picked up in Wales and keep up with my own training.

 Best Regard,

Andy Watson– ( 24th,25th March 2016- and no we didn’t write this ourselves!)

 

 

After experiencing our week with Mont Blanc Guides in Chamonix, I can now attest to how incredible the MB preparation course in North Wales really is!   If you live in the UK (or anywhere in Europe for that matter), I would highly suggest making the journey to spend the weekend learning with Graham and his team.  You will cover so much, and leave the weekend feeling both better prepared and more confident in your chances for a successful week on Mont Blanc. Personally, I found both the classroom and practice sessions very useful.  Indoors, Graham walked through the required kit in detail, bringing his own pack to demonstrate what will be needed.  As a result, Max and I were the best equipped and most organised team on the mountain.  He also discussed the two possible Mont Blanc routes and told us exactly what to expect through pictures and his own experiences.  From this, we good base understanding of the possible ascent options, which was critically important for the ever changing weather and subsequent plans in our particular week!  Graham also taught us how not to ‘faff’ (i.e. – digging around in your bag for things unnecessarily): while it doesn’t sound like a big deal, I can assure you that this skill alone is reason enough to sign up for the weekend!

Out on the mountain, we spent our days walking similar rocky ridges to the Grand Couloir, the summit of Grand Paradiso and the Cosmiques Arete.  We learned basic scrambling and climbing techniques including the use of equipment (slings, cams, etc), and spent the second day completely roped together (in Gale Force winds mind you!).  What I experienced in Wales proved incredibly useful on Mont Blanc, and felt completely comfortable climbing and trekking tied to my guide, sometimes in windy and cold weather.   I was also very thankful for the practice time on exposed ridges of lose rock under the watchful eye of guides – it really prepared me for the real thing, and allowed me the chance to get used to the height and terrain. Finally, throughout and at the end of the course, Graham was sure to provide each participant specific feedback, on fitness, gear, climbing technique, etc.  You left the weekend with a solid game plan to improve your weaker areas and ensure you give yourself the best chance of success on Mont Blanc.  I genuinely feel my weekend with Graham was the best money we spent on our Mont Blanc preparation, and I would have not enjoyed my week with John and the team as much as I did without it!

Robyn Agoston, May 2015.

 

Just a quick note to mention how brilliant the weekend in Snowdonia was. Having actually done what I didn’t think I was capable of has certainly settled my nerves in terms of what to expect when I get there, the kit and gear I should bring with me as for a novice it was great for Graham to show us what’s in his bag and also to show us and talk through what to expect on both climbs. Both Graham and Theo were brilliant and just filled us with their confidence as we went along. Having done it I’m not sure how I could conceive going to Mont Blanc without having gone through this huge learning experience. I have some video and photos which I will try send to Graham but it’s certainly something every newbie should seriously consider.

Declan O’Shea, May 2015

Many thanks once again Graham for an excellent weekend. I feel much more confident re the MB trip and, while clearly I need to do more work on my fitness and pray for good weather, it’s all starting to look very do-able now – I’ll let you know know how I get on!! 

Have a good Summer – I hope to be in touch when I plan my next Alpine venture!

Geraldine – May 2013

“Just to say thanks again for a cracking three days – it was exactly what was required, the perfect introduction.”

All the best David Asher – Jan 2012

 

“Just wanted to thank you for an excellent weekend’s walking and scrambling in Snowdonia.  We all had a great weekend and really enjoyed the combination of the ‘free’ scrambling and the more challenging roped scrambling that followed.  For those of us that had attempted Mont Blanc before it was a good reminder of what was required on parts of the climb – and whetted our appetite for another attempt! Many thanks,”

Kevin Goody – June 2011