Who’s a Winter mountaineering course (weekend) for?

People with a summer scrambling background that want to take the leap into safe winter climbing. Anyone wanting to do this course should also have experience in winter hill walking.

What you get . . . the skills

• Using your boots as an effective winter tool
• Use of ice axe and crampons for climbing
• Avalanche avoidance
• Navigation for climbers
• Diet and nutrition for winter climbing
• Winter belays
• Winter ropework
• Winter weather and its considerations
• Emergency shelters
• Night time “Lecturette” on snow pack assessment and the science behind the decisions.

What you get . . . the package

Pre event – We will liaise with you to ensure the smooth organisation of the trip, provide you with a kit list, and answer any questions you may have on what equipment to buy. We can also arrange hire of equipment from local suppliers.

During the event – Firstly, we will meet you on the Sunday evening in the accommodation (or where you are staying) and ensure all the group made it safely to the activity location and everybody has the equipment needed.

• Day 1 – Generally the first day looks at the basics. Then swiftly move onto safe and effective movement around the mountain. First we look at the winter walking terrain, and then move onto climbing specific considerations. So, before we touch anything metal, we look at the most important tool of all; your boots. Following a logical progression that takes into account the conditions we have on the day, we can start to move onto graded terrain look at safeguarding yourself and your party through solid movement and decision making, and then rope work etc.
• Day 1 evening – So following day one, we like to put across the theory behind the decisions. So a fun, informal “lecturette” in the evening, means those that want to can learn more about the science behind the snow, and get ideas on further reading. All lectures include a handout to take away and read.
• Day 2 – So, the main aim of this day is to build on day 1. Now we know you individually we can really start to develop and refine those essential skills, and add new ones in as we undertake our second climbing day. This will include looking at steeper terrain, mixed ground (i.e. snow, ice and rock, all in one climb), and hopefully get a classic gully line or two as well!

Some of the classics we may climb are:

• The Runnel; Corrie an t- Sneachda (grade II)
• Aladdin Mirror; Corrie an t- Sneachda (grade I)
• Crotched Gully; Corrie an t- Sneachda (grade II)
• SC Gully: Stob Corrie nan Lochan (grade III)
• NC Gully: Stob Corrie nan Lochan (grade II)

Summary of what’s included

• Pre event support on logistics and equipment
• Meeting the night before the course to make sure everybody is fit and healthy
• A qualified MIC (or supervised MIC trainee)
• A guide to client ratio of 1:2
• Guided from start to finish
• A digital photo album of the event
• 1 x “lecturette”

How much does this cost?

• Individual person price starts at £275*
• Group of 2 or more; prices start at £250* per person

*= no accommodation. Nights in a premium bunkhouse can be added for £25 per person / per night.

How to book

So, if you already know we can help you with your requirements please contact us with your exact needs. Or if you have any questions not answered in these pages, again, please feel free to ask us them directly. You can contact us via the phone number and email found at the top of the page. Or, fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of the page. Also, take a look at our calendar to see what “Open to All Skills Courses” are coming up soon.

Learn more

Don’t fancy this; think its a hard  for you? If so, look at our Winter walking weekend, perfect for those people with some winterexperience already, but dont yet feel ready for the vertical!.