Ready to Rock with She Climbs: A Weekend of Skills, Confidence and Community
Spending a weekend at Plas y Brenin always feels like a treat, and this Ready to Rock course with She Climbs was no exception. Nestled in the heart of Snowdonia, with views across Llynnau Mymbyr to Yr Wyddfa, it’s the perfect base to learn new skills, unwind with good food, and recharge in the mountains.
Friday Evening - Boulders, Kit and First Impressions
Keen to squeeze in every bit of climbing, I headed for a quick solo bouldering session at RAC before the weekend officially began. It was a great way to warm up and rebuild some confidence, as it had been a while since I climbed outdoors.
Back at PYB, I went straight into a Petzl gear demo - heaven for someone who loves kit as much as I do. Getting hands-on with different harnesses, trying out the GriGri, and chatting with Dave the Petzl rep was brilliant. There’s something exciting about geeking out over kit, learning the nuances, and figuring out what might suit you best.
Dinner in the servery was hearty and filling, and as everyone arrived, we started to share climbing stories, laugh over nerves, and get to know each other. After a quick drink in the bar, I settled into my cosy room, ready for the weekend ahead.
Day 1 - Anchors and Views
Saturday began with the kind of breakfast only PYB can do justice to - a proper cooked breakfast, strong coffee, and plenty of toast to fuel the day. We headed to Clogwyn Cyrau, a crag perched above Betws-y-Coed with sweeping views down the valley.
The focus was on building anchors and understanding how to place gear to create them. We worked through the theory - the "why" behind safe placements and equalisation - before putting it into practice. Placing gear, clipping in, and testing our own anchors gave us a strong foundation of skills to use as seconds on trad routes.
What stood out most was how supportive the group felt. Every attempt was encouraged, every question answered with patience. By the end of the day, I felt I had taken a real step forward in understanding trad climbing systems, even if I wasn’t ready to lead them yet.
Evening Session - Physio for Climbers
Back at Plas y Brenin, the learning continued with an evening session led by Isi, an on-site physio specialising in climbing. She guided us through warm-up exercises designed to reduce injury and improve mobility - simple, practical things we could build into our climbing routine.
Afterward, another hearty meal in the servery and relaxed chat in the bar rounded out the day perfectly. I even managed a quick dip in Llyn Mymbyr - cold but invigorating, and the best way to reset tired muscles.
Day 2 - Craig y Tonnau and Mock Placements
Sunday began with another cooked breakfast to fuel us up before heading out to Craig y Tonnau, a crag known for its unusual staircase-like formations. It was the ideal classroom for practicing gear placements in different cracks and features.
We spent time consolidating anchor building, then paired up for mock placements, with Iona alongside me to check and discuss each piece of gear. This gave me the confidence to experiment while knowing I had support and guidance.
The focus wasn’t on leading - that will come with more experience and coaching - but on learning how to be a competent second and really understand how safe systems are built.
The Power of She Climbs
What made this weekend so special was the community. Being surrounded by women all trying something new, pushing our limits, and supporting one another created such a positive environment. Conversations flowed easily - from technical climbing tips to everyday life - and it was clear how much it meant to everyone to be part of something bigger than just a weekend course.
Between the swims, the meals, the climbing, and the laughter, I came away not just with new skills, but with new friends and a stronger connection to the climbing community.
She Climbs 2025 - Final Reflections
The Ready to Rock course gave me exactly what I was looking for - the chance to build anchors, place gear, and gain the skills needed to feel competent and confident as a second on trad routes. It also gave me a clear sense of where I want to go next: with more coaching and practice, I’d love to work towards leading in the future.
If you’re looking to take your first steps into trad climbing in a supportive, inclusive environment, I couldn’t recommend She Climbs at Plas y Brenin enough.
Quick Note: This weekend was provided at a discounted rate due to my work as a Trustee at Plas y Brenin