Which Welsh mountain is known for its distinctive, rocky ridge leading up to the summit, offering stunning views and challenging terrain?
- Snowdon
- Cader Idris
- Crib Goch
- The Glyders
Correct Answer: Crib Goch
Correct Answer Explanation: Crib Goch, meaning “Red Ridge”, is a classic Welsh climbing route, renowned for its narrow, exposed ridge and breathtaking views.
What is the name of the highest mountain in Wales?
- Carnedd Dafydd
- Cader Idris
- Snowdon
- The Glyders
Correct Answer: Snowdon
Correct Answer Explanation: Snowdon, towering at 3,560 feet, is the highest peak in Wales, attracting climbers and hikers alike.
What is the name of the deep chasm in the Glyder Fawr, known as the “Devil’s Kitchen,” that offers a formidable climb?
- The Parson’s Nose
- Twll Du
- The Hag’s Glen
- Clogwyn y Garnedd
Correct Answer: Twll Du
Correct Answer Explanation: Twll Du, meaning “Black Hole,” is a deep crevice in the Glyder Fawr, known for its challenging climb and dark, mysterious atmosphere.
What term is used to describe a narrow, sharp ridge between two mountain slopes?
- Bwlch
- Cwm
- Arête
- Gully
Correct Answer: Arête
Correct Answer Explanation: An arête, from the French word meaning “ridge”, is a distinctive feature of mountainous terrain, often providing challenging climbing routes.
What mountain in Wales is named for a legendary giant?
- Snowdon
- Cader Idris
- The Glyders
- Carnedd Dafydd
Correct Answer: Cader Idris
Correct Answer Explanation: Cader Idris, meaning “Chair of Idris,” is named for the legendary giant Idris, believed to have lived in the area.
Where would you find the Parson’s Nose?
- The Glyders
- Cader Idris
- Crib y Ddysgl
- Snowdon
Correct Answer: Crib y Ddysgl
Correct Answer Explanation: The Parson’s Nose is a prominent spur on Crib y Ddysgl, offering a challenging climb with excellent handholds and stunning views.
What type of rock formation is the Giant’s Causeway in Antrim made of?
- Limestone
- Sandstone
- Granite
- Columnar basalt
Correct Answer: Columnar basalt
Correct Answer Explanation: The Giant’s Causeway is an extraordinary natural wonder formed by columnar basalt, a volcanic rock that cooled and fractured into hexagonal columns.
What is the name of the famous ocean cliff in Donegal, considered one of the finest in Europe?
- The Cliffs of Moher
- Slieve League
- Ben Bulben
- Muckish
Correct Answer: Slieve League
Correct Answer Explanation: Slieve League, meaning “Slope of the Leag,” is a towering cliff face that plunges dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean, offering incredible views and challenging climbs.
What type of rock are the Cliffs of Moher in Clare made of?
- Granite
- Sandstone
- Basalt
- Carboniferous limestone
Correct Answer: Carboniferous limestone
Correct Answer Explanation: The Cliffs of Moher are a spectacular formation of Carboniferous limestone, a type of rock known for its sheer vertical faces, creating dramatic cliffs and unique climbing opportunities.
What is the name of the mountain in Sligo known for its distinctive shape and rich mountain flora?
- Slieve League
- Ben Bulben
- Muckish
- Errigal
Correct Answer: Ben Bulben
Correct Answer Explanation: Ben Bulben, meaning “Big Mountain,” is a striking mountain in Sligo, known for its unique table-top shape and its diverse and abundant mountain flora.
Which of the following is NOT a mountain range in Ireland?
- The Galtee Mountains
- The Wicklow Mountains
- The Mourne Mountains
- The Glyders
Correct Answer: The Glyders
Correct Answer Explanation: The Glyders are a mountain range in Wales, not Ireland.
What is the name of the highest mountain in Ireland?
- Carran Tuohill
- Slieve League
- Muckish
- Ben Bulben
Correct Answer: Carran Tuohill
Correct Answer Explanation: Carran Tuohill, located in County Kerry, is Ireland’s highest peak, standing at 3,414 feet, offering challenging climbs and spectacular views.
Which mountain range in Ireland is predominantly composed of granite?
- The Wicklow Mountains
- The Mourne Mountains
- The Commeragh Mountains
- The Galtee Mountains
Correct Answer: The Mourne Mountains
Correct Answer Explanation: The Mourne Mountains in County Down are known for their rugged granite peaks, which give them their distinctive rounded summits and steep slopes.
What is the name of the valley in the Reeks, named after a legendary witch, known for its wild beauty and challenging climbing?
- The Parson’s Nose
- Twll Du
- The Hag’s Glen
- Clogwyn y Garnedd
Correct Answer: The Hag’s Glen
Correct Answer Explanation: The Hag’s Glen, a wild and scenic valley in the Reeks, is named after a legendary witch who is said to have haunted the area.
What is the name of the famous waterfall in Wicklow, known for its beauty and its dangerous climbing on the rocks to the left of the fall?
- The Devil’s Looking Glass
- Powerscourt Waterfall
- Ben Bulben
- Slieve League
Correct Answer: Powerscourt Waterfall
Correct Answer Explanation: Powerscourt Waterfall is a beautiful and popular destination in Wicklow, but it also presents a challenging and dangerous climb on the rocks to the left of the fall.
What is the name of the barren, desolate glen in Donegal with steep granite cliffs and challenging gorges, offering a tough climbing experience?
- The Parson’s Nose
- The Hag’s Glen
- The Poisoned Glen
- Clogwyn y Garnedd
Correct Answer: The Poisoned Glen
Correct Answer Explanation: The Poisoned Glen, in Donegal, is a wild and challenging climbing area, with steep granite cliffs and narrow gorges, offering a unique and demanding experience.
What is the name of the rocky island off the coast of Dublin, offering diverse climbing challenges on its sheer cliffs?
- Lambay
- Ben Bulben
- Slieve League
- The Arans
Correct Answer: Lambay
Correct Answer Explanation: Lambay, a rocky island just off the coast of Dublin, offers a variety of climbing challenges on its sheer cliffs, attracting climbers seeking unique and remote experiences.
What is the name of the valley in the Reeks, known for its tarn surrounded by impressive cliffs, offering excellent climbing opportunities?
- The Hag’s Glen
- The Poisoned Glen
- The Devil’s Looking Glass
- Clogwyn y Garnedd
Correct Answer: The Devil’s Looking Glass
Correct Answer Explanation: The Devil’s Looking Glass is a breathtaking tarn in the Reeks, surrounded by imposing cliffs, offering excellent climbing opportunities and stunning views.
What type of rock formation is Lambay, an island near Dublin, known for?
- Sandstone
- Conglomerate
- Felstone porphyry
- Limestone
Correct Answer: Felstone porphyry
Correct Answer Explanation: Lambay is a unique island with distinctive cliffs formed by felstone porphyry, a type of volcanic rock, providing unique climbing challenges.
What is the name of the mountain in Donegal known for its challenging climbs and steep slopes?
- Muckish
- Errigal
- Ben Bulben
- Slieve League
Correct Answer: Errigal
Correct Answer Explanation: Errigal, meaning “The Little Mountain,” is a popular climbing destination in Donegal, known for its steep slopes and challenging climbs, offering a rewarding experience.
Which of these mountains is NOT located in the Donegal Highlands?
- Errigal
- Muckish
- Ben Bulben
- Slieve League
Correct Answer: Ben Bulben
Correct Answer Explanation: Ben Bulben is located in County Sligo, while Errigal, Muckish, and Slieve League are all part of the Donegal Highlands.
What is the name of the mountain range in County Tipperary known for its Silurian slates and old red sandstone conglomerate?
- The Commeragh Mountains
- The Mourne Mountains
- The Galtee Mountains
- The Wicklow Mountains
Correct Answer: The Galtee Mountains
Correct Answer Explanation: The Galtee Mountains, in County Tipperary, are known for their distinctive geology, featuring Silurian slates and old red sandstone conglomerate, creating challenging climbing routes and stunning scenery.
What is the name of the mountain range in County Waterford predominantly composed of sandstone and conglomerate, with some slate and shale?
- The Commeragh Mountains
- The Mourne Mountains
- The Galtee Mountains
- The Wicklow Mountains
Correct Answer: The Commeragh Mountains
Correct Answer Explanation: The Commeragh Mountains in County Waterford are known for their diverse geology, featuring sandstone, conglomerate, slate, and shale, creating a variety of climbing challenges and scenic landscapes.
What is the name of the Welsh mountain range that includes Snowdon, the Glyders, and the Carnedds, offering some of the best climbs in Wales?
- The Arans
- Carnarvonshire
- Merionethshire
- Cader Idris
Correct Answer: Carnarvonshire
Correct Answer Explanation: Carnarvonshire is a region in Wales that is home to some of the most iconic mountains, including Snowdon, the Glyders, and the Carnedds, attracting climbers and adventurers from around the world.
What is the name of the Welsh mountain range that includes the Arans and Cader Idris?
- Carnarvonshire
- Merionethshire
- Pembrokeshire
- Snowdonia
Correct Answer: Merionethshire
Correct Answer Explanation: Merionethshire is a region in Wales known for its stunning mountains, including the Arans and Cader Idris, offering challenging climbs and breathtaking views.
Which of these is NOT a type of rock found in the British Isles?
- Granite
- Quartzite
- Shale
- Gneiss
Correct Answer: Gneiss
Correct Answer Explanation: Gneiss is a type of metamorphic rock that is not commonly found in the British Isles. Granite, quartzite, and shale are all common rock types found in the mountains of Wales and Ireland.
Which of these is NOT a term used to describe a feature of mountain terrain?
- Arête
- Cairn
- Bwlch
- Escarpment
Correct Answer: Escarpment
Correct Answer Explanation: An escarpment is a steep slope or cliff formed by faulting or erosion. The other terms – arête, cairn, and bwlch – are specific to mountainous terrain.
What is the name of the term used to describe a pile of stones, often erected as a marker on a mountain top?
- Cairn
- Bwlch
- Arête
- Gully
Correct Answer: Cairn
Correct Answer Explanation: A cairn is a pile of stones, often used as a landmark or navigational aid on mountain summits and trails.
What is the name of the term used to describe a pass or gap between mountains?
- Bwlch
- Arête
- Gully
- Cwm
Correct Answer: Bwlch
Correct Answer Explanation: A bwlch, from the Welsh word meaning “gap,” is a pass or a gap between mountains, often used for trails and routes.
What is the name of the term used to describe a circular or U-shaped valley, often found in mountainous regions?
- Cwm
- Bwlch
- Arête
- Gully
Correct Answer: Cwm
Correct Answer Explanation: A cwm, from the Welsh word meaning “hollow,” is a distinctive U-shaped valley often formed by glaciers in mountainous regions, creating unique landscapes.
What is the name of the term used to describe a channel or ravine carved into a mountainside, often containing a stream?
- Gully
- Cwm
- Bwlch
- Arête
Correct Answer: Gully
Correct Answer Explanation: A gully is a channel or ravine that cuts into the side of a mountain, often formed by erosion or water flow, creating challenging climbing routes.
What is the name of the term used to describe a slope of loose rock fragments, often found below a cliff face?
- Talus
- Scree
- Conglomerate
- Gneiss
Correct Answer: Scree
Correct Answer Explanation: Scree is a slope of loose rock fragments, often formed by weathering and erosion below cliff faces, making climbing challenging and dangerous.
What is the name of the term used to describe a slope of accumulated rock debris at the foot of a cliff?
- Talus
- Scree
- Conglomerate
- Gneiss
Correct Answer: Talus
Correct Answer Explanation: Talus is a slope of accumulated rock debris at the base of a cliff, often formed by weathering and erosion, creating challenging and unstable terrain.
What is the name of the term used to describe a type of sedimentary rock made up of rounded pebbles cemented together?
- Gneiss
- Conglomerate
- Talus
- Scree
Correct Answer: Conglomerate
Correct Answer Explanation: Conglomerate is a sedimentary rock composed of rounded pebbles cemented together, often found in mountain formations and contributing to the unique climbing challenges.
What is the name of the botanist who lost his life on Clogwyn y Garnedd while searching for Woodsia ferns?
- William Williams
- Charles Darwin
- John Muir
- Alfred Russel Wallace
Correct Answer: William Williams
Correct Answer Explanation: William Williams, a botanist, tragically lost his life while exploring Clogwyn y Garnedd in search of rare ferns, highlighting the dangers of climbing and exploring mountainous terrain.
What is the name of the highest point of Crib y Ddysgl?
- Carnedd Ugain
- Snowdon
- Cader Idris
- The Glyders
Correct Answer: Carnedd Ugain
Correct Answer Explanation: Carnedd Ugain is the highest point of Crib y Ddysgl, located in the Snowdonia National Park, offering challenging climbs and breathtaking views.
What is the approximate height of the final pitch of Twll Du?
- 100 ft
- 53 ft
- 200 ft
- 850 ft
Correct Answer: 53 ft
Correct Answer Explanation: The final pitch of Twll Du, a deep crevice in the Glyder Fawr, is approximately 53 ft high, offering a challenging and technical climb.
What is the approximate height of the north face of Lliwedd?
- 53 ft
- 200 ft
- 850 ft
- 1,000 ft
Correct Answer: 850 ft
Correct Answer Explanation: The north face of Lliwedd is a towering cliff face, approximately 850 ft high, offering challenging climbs and stunning views.
What is the approximate height of the Slieve League cliffs that are nearly sheer for 1,000 ft?
- 200 ft
- 53 ft
- 850 ft
- 1,000 ft
Correct Answer: 1,000 ft
Correct Answer Explanation: Slieve League, a towering sea cliff in Donegal, has nearly sheer cliffs for 1,000 ft, offering breathtaking views and challenging climbs.
What is the approximate height of the cliffs above Lough Curra in the Galtee Mountains?
- 200 ft
- 1,000 ft
- 850 ft
- 53 ft
Correct Answer: 1,000 ft
Correct Answer Explanation: The cliffs above Lough Curra in the Galtee Mountains, in County Tipperary, drop dramatically 1,000 ft into the lake, offering stunning views and challenging climbs.
What is the approximate length of the Cliffs of Moher, extending for several miles, with heights reaching 700 ft?
- 1 mile
- 2 miles
- Several miles
- 10 miles
Correct Answer: Several miles
Correct Answer Explanation: The Cliffs of Moher, in County Clare, extend for several miles, reaching heights of 700 ft, offering a breathtaking spectacle and unique climbing opportunities.
What is the approximate size of the elliptical area covered by the Mourne Mountains?
- 6 miles by 15 miles
- 15 miles by 6 miles
- 20 miles by 10 miles
- 10 miles by 20 miles
Correct Answer: 15 miles by 6 miles
Correct Answer Explanation: The Mourne Mountains, in County Down, cover an elliptical area of approximately 15 miles by 6 miles, offering diverse climbing challenges and stunning scenery.
Which of these is NOT a reason why the author of this book emphasizes the importance of mountain craft?
- Navigating challenging terrain
- Avoiding accidents
- Ensuring safety
- Reaching the summit quickly
Correct Answer: Reaching the summit quickly
Correct Answer Explanation: While speed is a factor in some climbing, the author emphasizes the importance of mountain craft for navigating challenging terrain, ensuring safety, and avoiding accidents, not for reaching the summit quickly.
What is the main purpose of the book “Climbing in The British Isles, Vol. 2 – Wales and Ireland”?
- To teach climbers how to reach the summit faster
- To provide a comprehensive guide to climbing in Wales and Ireland
- To present a collection of stories about mountaineering accidents
- To highlight the beauty of the British Isles
Correct Answer: To provide a comprehensive guide to climbing in Wales and Ireland
Correct Answer Explanation: The primary purpose of the book “Climbing in The British Isles, Vol. 2 – Wales and Ireland” is to serve as a comprehensive guide to climbing in these regions, offering information on routes, terrain, and safety precautions.
What is the author’s main purpose in discussing the early explorers of Welsh and Irish mountains?
- To highlight the dangers of mountaineering
- To promote the benefits of climbing for health
- To provide historical context for modern climbing
- To showcase the skills of these early explorers
Correct Answer: To provide historical context for modern climbing
Correct Answer Explanation: The author discusses early explorers to provide a historical context for modern climbing, showing how the understanding and appreciation of these mountains evolved over time.
What is the main takeaway from the book “Climbing in The British Isles, Vol. 2 – Wales and Ireland”?
- Climbing is a dangerous activity that should be avoided
- Wales and Ireland offer some of the best climbing in the world
- Mountaineering requires planning, preparation, and skill
- The beauty of the British Isles is unparalleled
Correct Answer: Mountaineering requires planning, preparation, and skill
Correct Answer Explanation: The main takeaway from the book is that mountaineering requires careful planning, thorough preparation, and a strong understanding of mountain craft to ensure safety and success.