Joe Brown's Shops

Joe Brown's Shops Opened in 1966 by Joe & Val Brown. Two stores in the heart of Snowdonia: Capel Curig & Llanberis. Purveyors of the very finest climbing equipment for 50 years.

Joe Brown was considered the foremost rock climber and mountaineer of his generation, and perhaps the greatest all round mountaineer ever. You can read a biography of his climbing career if you click here. In 1966 Joe opened the Llanberis climbing shop with his wife Val. The Capel Curig shop opened a couple of years later and over the years the shops have earned the reputation of being among the best specialist climbing equipment and outdoor gear shops in the UK. As an independent mountaineering, climbing equipment and outdoor business we focus on providing honest and personal advice, as well as great ranges of mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, walking, hiking, expedition and alpine climbing equipment.

In 1955, the world’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, was climbed to within five metres of its summit, in respect ...
01/09/2026

In 1955, the world’s third highest mountain, Kangchenjunga, was climbed to within five metres of its summit, in respect of local beliefs that a protective deity lived there, providing the mountain communities with good harvests and well-being.

The first two summiteers; Joe Brown and George Band became the first Britons to climb above 8000m.

This award winning film uses footage shot on the mountain in 1955, contemporary photography and previously unseen interviews, demonstrating the tenacity and unity of those involved facing the challenging climb, severe weather and serious objective dangers.

Available to watch at film festivals and showing in the UK at Rheged , Penrith on September 12th in aid of Nepal.

You can also listen to co-producer and president John Porter share his vast knowledge of the 1955 expedition in episode 67 of our podcast:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1758667/episodes/17107398-67-joe-brown-and-kangchenjunga-1955

👀👀JB Extrem Scavenger Hunt New Placement Alert!We’re celebrating 60 years of Joe Browns and 60 years of Berghaus by hidi...
08/08/2026

👀👀JB Extrem Scavenger Hunt New Placement Alert!

We’re celebrating 60 years of Joe Browns and 60 years of Berghaus by hiding FREE treasure!

This time we are at arguably one of the most intimidating crags in North Wales. Home to “a crackline of legendary strenuousity” where an image taken of Joe climbing it in 1962 became the original shop logo. His climbing partner? None other than Chris Bonington . Back then it was aided to give HVS today, it’s given a solid E4 6a.

If you’re looking for something a little more protected then Joe’s earlier route on the crag remains a starred classic at E3!

You’ll find the treasure under two boulders close together, an obvious gearing up point. Will it be easy to find? A frayed knot.

Top tips: Wear trousers. Use Smidge

For full details of our Scavenger Hunt just search on UK Climbing.

JB Extrem Treasure Hunt - new placement!This towering bastion of Western Grit is described as containing some of the tou...
01/08/2026

JB Extrem Treasure Hunt - new placement!

This towering bastion of Western Grit is described as containing some of the toughest gritstone routes of their grade. No surprises there’s a Joe Brown first ascent among them!

In the late 50’s Joe put up a *** HVA 5a. “A magnificent combination of delicate and strenuous climbing”

This one is well hidden at the base!

👀👀JB Extrem Treasure Hunt - New Placement!Rockfax describe this route as “tricky & rumoured to be a Joe Brown offering”J...
25/07/2026

👀👀JB Extrem Treasure Hunt - New Placement!

Rockfax describe this route as “tricky & rumoured to be a Joe Brown offering”

Joe himself describes it as the location of his first fall….
“ I had done the climb before, making the first ascent in nailed boots when it had been quoted as impossible in anything but gym shoes. Demonstrating the ascent for a second time, I fell off backwards from the overhanging top. With no conscious effort I managed to land on my feet in a standing position on the ground 30 foot below.”
😬😬

In typical Joe style he doesn’t mention any injury, but he must have been ok because he got straight back on the rock & climbed to the top. 💪

No need to climb today - just head along the top of the edge to find your treasure - good luck!🍀




📷 Rockfax
Quote from The Hard Years, Joe Brown

JB Extrem Scavenger Hunt - new placement!👀👀Head to this classic Staffordshire Gritstone crag where the Wallabies are, al...
21/07/2026

JB Extrem Scavenger Hunt - new placement!👀👀

Head to this classic Staffordshire Gritstone crag where the Wallabies are, alas, no more.

Back in 1951, The Lower Tier was where Joe Brown and Don Whillans, one of the most successful climbing duo’s in history, made a direct line that remains an all time classic. You’ll need a full range of trad skills to climb it including solid jamming and a strong head! It is every inch an HVS 5b.

No need to climb to claim you’re prize though - search and you shall find 😃

👀JB Extrem Treasure Hunt - New Placement!Sssssssh. Spare a thought for Don Whillans. He’d thought this route, once descr...
11/07/2026

👀JB Extrem Treasure Hunt - New Placement!

Sssssssh. Spare a thought for Don Whillans. He’d thought this route, once described as “one of the most exciting leads on the Stanage escarpment”, had already been climbed free when he set about making a “repeat” ascent only to fall off leaving Joe Brown to take the prize!

Want to know why we’re giving away FREE carabiners, FREE gift vouchers AND the opportunity to WIN an Berghaus item from their Extrem range?

Just search JB Scavenger Hunt on the UKClimbing - The World’s Best Climbing & Mountaineering Website website.

Happy hunting!



Quote from British Mountaineering Council 1989 Stanage Guidebook

JB Extrem Scavenger Hunt - new placement!You’ll find this one at the top of a 1931 **classic VS. Look to the setting sun...
09/07/2026

JB Extrem Scavenger Hunt - new placement!

You’ll find this one at the top of a 1931 **classic VS. Look to the setting sun for the name of the route and you’ll find your treasure at the top!

200 years ago today the “first” rock climb was ascended on Pillar Rock.✅check out the Mountain Heritage Trust exhibition...
09/07/2026

200 years ago today the “first” rock climb was ascended on Pillar Rock.

✅check out the Mountain Heritage Trust exhibitions in Keswick & Whitehaven

✅drop into the shop & buy Fell & Rock Climbing Club the commemorative guidebook to new rock climbs & winter routes.

Congratulations to Rachael Crewesmith who found the first of our Berghaus tokens! Your choice of a piece of Extrem kit w...
03/07/2026

Congratulations to Rachael Crewesmith who found the first of our Berghaus tokens! Your choice of a piece of Extrem kit will be on it’s way to you very soon 😁

Great job on the mini crag clean up while out searching below Clogwyn D’ur Arddu❤️👏👏👏

This was just one of twenty fantastic FREE pieces of treasure available to find on our Extrem Scavenger hunt - there’s more being hidden this week. Keep your eye’s peeled for clues 😃😃🧭📍

Full details on UKClimbing - The World’s Best Climbing & Mountaineering Website

Address

Main Street
Capel-Curig
LL240EN

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 5:30pm
Sunday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+441690720205

Website

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