Room with a phew!
anyone caught short can be escorted back up the cliff or experienced climbers can take their chances from the ledge.
Bad weather is catered for with ledge covers to keep the rain off and help is always on hand with an experience ‘portaledger’ from Gaia on an adjourning ledge.
Sam Farnsworth, from Gaia Adventures, said: “I have climbed extensively in North and South America and over there it is quite common to camp on the side of cliffs during long climbs.
“We decided to bring this concept here but not just for serious climbers buy anyone who wants to do something different and has a head for heights.
“We did a couple of trial runs at the end of last summer and they went really well. We will launch properly this spring.
“I think this is something people will want to try but will want to do it with someone with experience and expertise to give them that reassurance.
“Initially it can be strange on the ledge but after a few minutes people relax and enjoy the experience.
“We already have people signed up for the summer and even people who have bought these trips as Valentine gifts.”
Additional interest has been fuelled after a pair of Americans completed what had long been considered the world’s most difficult rock climb, using only their hands and feet to ascend a 3,000ft vertical wall on El Capitan, the forbidding granite pedestal in Yosemite National Park.
Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson became the first to freeclimb the rock formation’s Dawn Wall, a feat that many had considered impossible. It took them 19 days and they spent nights sleeping on the side of the cliff which has got more people interested into high altitude camping.
Sam said: “This has really helped us, it has been incredible how much coverage they have received and it is all good for us.”
The firm has two locations where they use the ledge, on the sea cliffs on Gogarth, Holy Island, Anglesey and a cliff close to Betws-y-Coed.
Sam added: “What we are doing all fits in with what is happening in the North Wales at the moment in the outdoor activity sector. It feels very optimistic with Surf Snowdonia due to open and things like Bounce Below. What we are doing is just on a small scale but it all adds to what people can do in this area.”