Summit Seekers

Name: Summit Seekers
Address: high Street, Caernarfon, LL554EU, GB
Telephone: +447495143248
Price range: ££
Rating: 5

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Summit Seekers

UK guided mountain adventures. Rock Climbing Courses. BellTent Basecamp. Family Mountain Adventures.
(7)

13/02/2024

• SHE DID IT •
I know we are all flooded daily with posts about how good cold water is for so many things, and it totally is, but for some of us, that cold water is sometimes too much.
That said, Lake Hawea has something special about it. It's cold, yes, but it's clear as a bell, and you feel incredibly clean after you have been in.
I do have the intention to continue to dip even as the summer moves into autumn and perhaps even winter, but we will see.
Took this one a week and a really hot day to brave it, but she felt amazing afterwards...

07/02/2024

• MISSION UNDERWAY •
Plans are afoot....

06/02/2024

• ALL THE GIRLS •
It's such a joy to have my eldest daughter here with us. The world feels a little less out of tilt with 2 out of my 3 here with me.
As a mum, I'm very much of the opinion that we are simply temporary caretakers and guides (that comes with a whole host of jobs and responsibilities, of course) for our offspring. That part of our role is to show them to follow their hearts, take risks, and choose yourself.
However, not having all 3 of my kids here with me has definitely proven to be a much harder obstacle to overcome. It feels physical the missing them, the wanting or needing to be with them. It's a bit of a battle between what I want, need, and am able to do.
So the joys in seeing my eldest choose her own adventure and to start it here with me fills me with endless joy!
Now I hope I don't drive her too mad, dragging her into the many hills and adventures I've been dying to do 🤣
♡

30/01/2024

• COUNTDOWN •
There are only a few days to go before gets here, and I can't wait.
I'm excited to see her, to show her off, show her round, and show her up (I'm just resigned to that one as a mum 🤣🤣).
I love the slow place adventures I enjoy with my youngest daughter, but I'm very excited to get a little further and push a little harder with my older daughter 🧗‍♀️
Also she is bringing my gravel bike and come hell or high water, ice, snow, wind or rain I will be biking to work every day a nice round 40km trip to keep me in as much shape as possible now I'm sitting on my butt all day 😆
# work my age

28/01/2024

• SHE IS JUST THE TONIC •
It won't be long before she is bored of hanging out with me...so best I make the most of it!
What a place this is ... we have been to one of the highest lakes in the world, and yet this is the first time we have seen actual glacial ice bergs up close ... a really good family-friendly wander!
Available in my Komoot, of course!
Plus, we even managed to combine my training run in on our way back... it's the little wins!

23/01/2024

• SUMMER SNOW •
Just over here revelling in the little wins... such as a spattering of snow to tempt forth some winter vibes!!

21/01/2024

• SUNDAY ~ FUNDAY •
So now I've had to pop all my life inton2 short weekend days 1 is for chores/jobs and general life admin while Sunday is my day.
Mountains, huts, exploring, lake swims, and quality time with this little wee wanderer.
Make it count...we bloody well will!
☆
🗺 If you are thinking of coming to New Zealand at ANY time, you should totally check out my komoot collections. They are growing, and they are mighty good mountain adventures. PLUS, I record even the tiny wee walks to places of interest, so a little bit of something for everyone 😊

18/01/2024

• SPONSORED TO STAY AND PLAY •
When you are as old and decrepit as I am (by working holiday visa standards), thanks NZ Immigration 🤣 the next thing to look for is sponsorship.
A few years back when I was last here it was quite easy and straightforward to get this but now it's much harder, so I do feel very lucky to have found a company that wants to use my skills.
Sadly, they don't need my mountain skills, more my brain and uber organisation... BUT this is not the end for me.
Nope, this is perhaps another beginning.
I am going to work towards my NZOIA qualification, particularly my Alpine 1 qualification, which is the closest equivalent to the Winter ML, which I trained for in the UK.
In the meantime, I embrace my laptop during the week and will escape to the wilds at the weekends like normal folk until a time when I can bring Summit Seekers to the Southern Hemisphere...

16/01/2024

Moeraki Boulders
Worn down by time and sea, the perfect spherical balls of mud and clay sit along the Eastern coastline of Otago.
Dating back as much as 10.5 million years, the once huge round globes are shrinking. Eroded as nature intends.
Some of them resemble sleeping giant turtle shells.
A huge attraction as is anything that seems so out of the normal in a familiar setting.
Worth the long stroll along the beautiful sandy beach for sure.

15/01/2024

• DAY 4 ~ MOTATAPU TREK •
There is no big reel this time, just this amazing image of my absolute super star daughter (and a hell of a morning sky!).
I know folk see her hiking with my time after time, mainly because it's just the 2 of us mostly, and so where 1 is the other usually is too.
I know her getting up mountains is no big surprise either, but the reality of this trek and her success is actually incredible.
In my job, I've worked with a huge number of adults all that come with their own various skills and strengths and also cut-off points.
I know that what she achieved, this time, goes above and beyond most adult hikers 'over it' standard would be and here she is on the 4th and final day at the beginning of another long day smiling her head off and being an absolute trooper.
Getting outside is 100% a necessity for me, for my mental health and physical well-being. Spending time with Awen is also a necessity to ensure she gets the best of me as a mum. Also, who else is there? So I do count my lucky stars that she is always game for giving it a go, even if she isn't always having her best time and wishes I was lazy 🤣 (her words!) She still comes at me with a smile and gets it done.
I've said it before, and I will say it again... I struck gold when I was given the 3 children I was given. I'm a lucky woman, and I count my blessings every single say!!
🥾 Macetown Campsite to Arrowtown
📍Queenstown region, Otago
⛰️ Cardrona Range

05/01/2024

• WITH A WEEK OF ADVENTURING ON THE HORIZON •
For the first time, I've been spoilt for choice and really struggled with what to do!
However, I think we've nailed it, and just in time. I think we will have it all...
Including...
✅️ Overnights/multi day tramping
✅️ Valley level wanders
✅️ Ridges and Summit views
✅️ Swimming/dipping
✅️ remote
✅️ quieter spots away from the peak season people
✅️ no rebooting huts required

TO say I'm excited is an understatement... feel like it's about time we got out and explored some of this beautiful new home!

03/01/2024

• THE TRUTH BEHIND THE TRAIL •
I often get asked if Awen really likes hiking? Are the mountains as much her passion as yours?
The simple answer is no, of course her love for the great outdoors doesn't run as deep as mine...she is 7!
However, her love for me runs deep enough that she can understand on some level my need to be amongst the mountains, and her desire to spend time with me is enough to motivate her.
There are the usual refusals, the moans that come when she realises we are once again heading out for an adventure, and sometimes I hear her need for doing something else and we change our plans.
I trust myself as her mum to hear the difference between the normal childlike preference to be sitting all day watching cartoons - to when she genuinely isn't feeling the hike...like all of us. There are some days when it just isn't going 😁
That said, regardless of our 30 year age gap the same rules apply, once we are out on the hill and have pushed through that first excruciating half hour of warming up the mountain muscles, Awen like any of us finds her groove. Once she submits to nature, she looses herself to it, with that innocent childlike wonder... every stick, every insect, all the types of poo and the wider world about her.
If I didn't see the rewards being out in the mountains gave her I wouldn't do it- but I do.
So, each hard start, each time I have to feel a bit like a bully and force her companionship, I know it will be rewarding for us both.
⛰️
Lastly, after huge days like yesterday, where I probably expected more of her than she wanted to give, leaving me worrying she didn't have fun, I don't have to because she will come out with amazing one liners like her first words this morning "we have a really good life mum don't we? I love our life " 😍

16/12/2023

• IT DOESN'T ALWAYS NEED TO BE FAST PACED •
Strolling along the river bank it was a pleasant slow pace with a group of little legs with us. Plenty of snacks, plenty of water and some well needed shade meant an enjoyable day for everyone.
Watching groups of people letting the river take them slowly down stream laughing, chatting and generally just being in the moment - it was a gentle reminder that when the sun shines and the stars align it's the perfectly OK to just be.

14/12/2023

• JUST AROUND THE BEND •

There can always be an adventure just around the corner, whatever that means to you.
At this time of year, a lot of people are gearing up for a festive break from routine, spending much needed time with family and friends. Overindulgence of all the good things with the promise of pushing themselves extra hard as the clock ticks over into a new year.
Here, on the opposite side of the world from most of my loved ones, while I am enjoying the summer sun and ever new horizons that come with being away, I am missing my people.
It makes me think of those of you who dread this time of year, the enhanced loneliness or anxiety, at trying to meet the expectations of children on Christmas morning when you just don't have spare resources. The short days and long nights accompanied by the harsh weather, keeping normally outdoor loving folk inside.
I hope that regardless of the stresses and worries that someone, somewhere this season, shines a little light into your world and reminds you that it is only a couple of days that roll around every year. That even if you are not surrounded by people or piling presents under the tree, the new year that follows closely behind is as much your chance to breathe deeply and reset as anyone.
That you can build your own adventure and that fresh starts come in all shapes and sizes.
I'm not where I imagined I would be this Christmas, I'm not where I had planned to be at 38, but I am choosing to go with the flow of the universe and accept the cards. To forge ahead and trust the process.
That's life.
A process of moments joined together to create one immense story.
I wish all those who might be feeling a little Christmas blues the biggest love and am sending positivity with bells on to you 🎄

13/12/2023

• ALL THE SUNMIT FEELS •
This is how I feel about hiking up mountains, in the sun, and spotting another adventure across the way!
I've got my eye on a 32km mountain top adventure.
Now, to work out if I bring the wee one and we split it into a couple of days or I go it solo and see how fast I can get it done .... decisions, decisions!

11/12/2023

• TRULY LIVING IN THE MOMENT •
It's been a completely different type of winter escape this year.
Yes, there is sun, mountains, and adventures almost daily, but there is the added bonus of doing all of the above with my sister.
10 years of her living on the opposite side of the world means we haven't had the time together that we wanted.
It means so much to be able to really enjoy our time together, to share my passion with my family, and to be a part of her life here, meet her awseome friends who have all welcomed me withiut question in this, their, beautiful country.

09/12/2023

• CALM BEFORE THE STORM •
It was bonkers windy yesterday...the waves on the lake were huge, almost surfable if not for the onshore wind!
So naturally, while most of the community here stayed safe behind their fences and walls, Awen and I had to get ourselves out.
If it's sunny, it doesn't matter what else is going on. Staying in the house just isn't an option. I begin to feel restless and frustrated - I'm sure there is a label for this, but ultimately, I just like to be outside.
Starting the day with my first .nz qas amazing but also set the precedent of wanting to be moving.
With summits out of action, strolling to and around this beautiful lake was good enough for us.
We made it back seconds before the heavens split and the rain poured.

06/12/2023

• RUNNING FOR THE HILLS •
It's been a long time coming, and while I've been loving my escapades in the local mountains, I've been dying to flex my running muscles and push myself.
Now, with the final go-ahead after sustaining 3 stable fractures in my ribs just before I left the UK, I finally felt OK to give it a go.
Between jogging and power walking this amazing ascent to a lovely little peak I've been staring out from my bedroom window I set off from the summit with nothing more than the aim to run the entire way back down.
Boom 👊 success... 5.5 miles of gentle running felt incredible.
Now, sitting here with only the vaguest of aches reminding me that I'm still healing the process is well and truly on the way.
Feeling buzzed with my day, I'm raring to push further afield and keep exploring this amazing country.
•
Facts...
Rib injuries are one of the few fractures or breaks that are better left to heal.
Usually, light movement is advised for up to 6 weeks , so don't stop exercising but just amend your usual practices to accommodate for the discomfort and potential risk of making it worse.
A stable fracture differs to a break and is easy to do.
Symptoms are shortness and painful breathing (if this continues for extended periods of time, make sure you don't have a full break that could be much more dangerous).
Cold water has helped me, as well as gentle upper body work outs strengthening the muscles around my ribs

04/12/2023

☆ A FAMILY AFFAIR ☆
My sister has lived here in this incredible country for almost 10 years, and its only taken me 3 weeks to get her and her beautiful little tribe up their first summit!
Taking it easy with the beautiful and straightforward trail of Roys Peak, this awesome tribe stomped their way all 1370m of ascent to the 1570m summit!
A stunning day for it, the baby is a natural passenger and all 3 kids loved the top!
Absolutely by far one of my favourite days simply because of the achievement and company!
Yes troops ...which one next ??

01/12/2023

• SNOWMO •
Don't get me wrong, I am a total sun worshipper, but having seen how Scotland is shaping up so far, I'm defo feeling the fomo for the snow!
There is still some decent looking coverage on the high peaks here, now to find the 'as-mad-as-me' adventure buddy to come join me in the Southern Alps.
Any takers drop me a message, I bring good snacks 🤪

26/11/2023

• MICRO ADVENTURES •
Wheels mean freedom for me and the mini adventurer!
We set off with no major plan aside from let's go see some of this place we now call home!
We found bright blue gorges, stone towers, moonlit beaches and woodland wanders but mostly we spent some quality time together!
After all this is the point!
Love exploring this place with her, despite the huge amount of sandfly bites we have come home with ... forgot about those. Must remember the repellent next time.
What a weekend!

23/11/2023

• ALMOST THE WEEKEND •
Now we are mobile its almost time to start planning our weekend trip away.
Car camp ✔️
Adventure ✔️
Mountains ✔️
Lakes ✔️
Coastal ✔️
Bikes ✔️
Excited to get out and share some time with my little explorer.
Who knows where we will end up...it doesn't matter really we are just looking forward to a bit of mum and mini person time!
'sgo

22/11/2023

• CLIMB TIME NZ •
It's been a whirlwind of family chores, building a business and searching for a car since arriving so today when the opportunity to go as a client for a local outdoors companies climbing instructors working towards their award came up I literally dyno'd for the chance!
Such a great day, watching and seeing how their instructors are trained, the subtle differences, and the universal similarities.
My first experience of schist rock certainly toughened up my too soft fingertips!
Can't wait to explore the long list of suggestions shared with me today!

17/11/2023

• HEY, YOU THERE IN THE DISTANCE •
I've got my eyes on Di**le Peak there just to the right and behind Corner Peak.
There doesn't seem to be an obvious way up and it would be a 2 day expedition. Would thus put you off?
When the way isn't obvious, or obstacle free does that mean we give up?
Nope.
Just keep looking, keep listening...they way will reveal itself it just might take a little more effort!

14/11/2023

• WET ~ WILD ~ WINDY •
But not the same kind of weather we use to describe a Welsh mountain day!
Settling in, getting into a routine, and figuring out the weather patterns here is all part of the process.
What have I learnt..
🌱Spring, especially in this region, is prone to high winds, and these will stay around until prob late this month early next month. So plan your route carefully - no ridges!
☀️ 14° Here is baking hot t-shirt weather even with a cool wind.
🔥 you burn far easier here in New Zealand than at home...why?
1 - The ozone layer is thinner here in the Southern Hemisphere.
2 - The planet orbits closer to the sun in a Southern Hemisphere summer than a Northern Hemisphere.
3 - There is a lot less pollution on this side of the equater than the Northern side.
Still, good to see that there is always an activity to match the weather!! This is my kind of paradise.

11/11/2023

SO MUCH TO DO
So the lead up to this incredible adventure has had some highs and lows, but to finally be here and settling down is an awesome feeling.
Tomorrow Awen starts school, and look at this playground right on the door step.
I've already ear marked the ridge in the distance there as my next goal.
Time to start logging those hours on the hill. Learning how to navigate their maps and building my portfolio of hikes to go for the Bush 2 Leader assessment.
Goals posts don't have to stay the same, they can be moved and amended but the results will be just as rewarding I'm sure of it.

06/11/2023

• SAME THINGS ~ NEW PLACES •
Since she was in my belly, this one has travelled, adventured, and generally been with me side by side.
Like all my tribe but mostly this one as we have been a dynamic duo since the beginning.
Now, here we are again, putting everything behind us for now and stepping on board to jet across to the Southern Hemisphere for who knows what.
And honestly, so long as she is with me and we are both smiling, it's no big deal that we have no plans... let's just see what the future holds!
She started in New Zealand, so let's see how she likes it on the outside 😏

05/11/2023

• BON VOYAGE •
It's been a pleasure, Wales! It's an absolute blast, but for now, I'm taking the little one and heading for summer months in the Southern Hemisphere
Who knows what's to come?
Who knows where we will end up?
Who will we meet?
What adventures lay ahead?
When will we be back?
For once I'm heading off without too much of a plan, no van and just 46kg worth of life in a couple of bags with little more than the goal of spending some long awaited quality time with my sister ❤️

30/10/2023

• THE ALPS •
Already missing the amazing views from my short trip to the Italian Alps.
It was really nice to put myself well and truly out of my comfort zone and explore this amazing place.
In a little over a week I will landing in New Zealand with the little one working our way down too the southern Alps of New Zealands South Island.
I can't wait to lace up the boots and explore our new home 😍

29/10/2023

• OFFICIALLY WINTER •
When the clocks go back and we get that extra hour snuggled under the duvet, it begins to feel a lot like winter for me.
Last night, I enjoyed my final (if not a little chilly) sleep in the beautiful Skye who will be collecting her MOT tomorrow and meeting her new owner on Tuesday.
Néw beginnings.
New journeys.
Fresh starts.
A change of season.
There is only 1 more week to go and counting... here we come, New Zealand!

Address

High Street
Caernarfon
LL554EU

Telephone

+447495143248

Website

http://www.summit-seekers.co.uk/

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Videos

• JUST THE RIGHT KIND OF ADVENTURE • How do I plan a child friendly adventure? How to know, when you haven't been somewhere before, whether the route will be child friendly? The answer is layered, firstly you won't know 100% until you are there so always have the possibility you may have to turn back in your mind and judge as you go. However, there are a handful of things you can do before you go... ✔️ What sort of adventure are you thinking about, mountains? Rivers? Forest?... You know your kids and what they are capable of and what they would enjoy. Start your search there. ✔️ Google Maps or similar platforms are a good source. Often, people put pictures up and leave reviews. ✔️ Social Media - Check out other posts of the place you are thinking of, and if you have time, drop someone a message and ask questions! ✔️ Get the map out and have a look at the route. Using apps like @komoot and @fatmap_official are really good options with the choice to change the views and look at the path before you get on it. ✔️ Local books and information centres such as @docgovtnz go in and chat the folk inside they can help you. ✔️ Join a kids club, mums & babies hiking group, or start one where everyone pools their knowledge. There are plenty of resources to choose from its just knowing where and how, but mostly and I am mkt saying this works for everyone it very much depends on your own confidence and experience, but mostly Awen and I wing it. We head somewhere and have a go, and 9 times out of 10, it pays off. When it doesn't, we learn something and still have a blast. It's not all that complicated... half the battle is won by getting out in the first place 👌 ☆ If you want a komoot Premier pass link, just get in touch and let me help you. I have lots to give away and am happy to help anyone expand their adventures 😊 #komoot #Adventure #kidsintheoutdoors #kidsexplore #kidsonthemove #newzealandkids #newzealandadventures #tramping #kayaking

• GO TOGETHER • Was sp much fun today sharing this new mountain adventure with new friends both for me and Awen! Sometimes, I run to the hills for solitude, but other times, it's nice to enjoy the together time with good folk 😃 #sharingiscaring #walktogether #takethekids #kidsonmountains #kidsthatadventure

Something different!

☆ SNOWDONIA SCRAMBLES ☆ We are pretty spoiled here in Snowdonia for some of the best, yet achievable scrambles in the UK! If you put Crib Goch anywhere else in the world it would require alpine experience for sure 😉 Achievement is one of the collection of emotions when you finally summit one of the handfuls of grade 1 scrambles in the Snowdonia. My top 5 are... Crib Goch Tryfan Lech Ddu Spur Y Gribin Daear Ddu All totally unique with their own dose of exposure, technicalities and consequences! Have you done 1 or all 5?? We have a series of dates on our website for all of the above or feel free to ping us a message and see if we are free - hands on rock! #mountaineering #snowdoniascrambles #scramblesnowdonia #grade1scramble #classicscrambles

☆ 2 MONTHS IN 2 MINUTES ☆ We made it back onto home soil like some Christmas movie magic ~ just in time! What an adventure we have had 👇 📍 France, Pyrenees, Costa Blanca, Valencia, and Northern Spain ⏳️80 hours of hiking 🚶‍♀️185 kms bimbled 🏔 7410m ascended 🚐 46-day road tripping . . Now we are looking forward to seeing g family and friends and having a good'ole time! We can't wait to see you all, we missed you! #homeforchristmas #endofoneadventure #readyforthenextadventure

• ADVERSE CONDITIONS • I know, no pretty picture or beautifully captured moment because this is too good to waste! When we log our mountain days leading up to assessment there is a drop down that asks about weather. We are told to make sure we head out in all conditions...why? This is why 🤣 What am absolute team of mega~mountain loving folk though! Smiles all round and even singing songs of summer despite 50mph gusts, hail stones, minimal visibility and relentless rain. It's days like this that actually make me love my job ... hmm I think there might be something wrong with me 😬 #adverseweather #singingintherain #wildwetwindy #papofglencoe