DISCOVER WINTER MOUNTAINEERING
2 DAYS | RATIO 1:4 | FROM £380
Course Overview
TThe mountains of Scotland are a playground for hill walkers, mountaineers and climbers alike at any time of the year but in Winter they transform into a winter paradise where we can enjoy walking and climbing in the snow and ice.
This course focuses on giving you the skills to plan your perfect winter adventure seeking out the snowy ridges and steeper mountaineering ground where you may carry a rope to protect a short steeper section or use it to protect yourself in descent. Winter mountaineering gives us the freedom to discover the more adventurous routes up through the mountains and often avoids the crowds.
We run our winter courses from Aviemore as it gives us access to some fantastic mountains and maximises our time on the snow giving you more time to develop your skills.
IS IT FOR ME?
This course will focus on giving you the confidence and technical skills to allow you to go out and plan your winter adventures seeking out the steeper mountaineering ground in the UK. It will build your confidence and give you a new set of skills to help keep you safe and enjoy your day.
If you are keen summer walker who wants to venture into the more adventurous and steeper winter terrain and are not sure how to make the transition then this is the course for you.
PRE-REQUISITES
To get the most out of this course you should already be a confident summer walker who has an interest in walking in winter and is comfortable on steeper ground. Some previous scrambling or climbing experience would be useful but is not essential.
CONTENT
We will meet on the first morning and come up with a plan for the days ahead that will fit in with everyone’s aims, aspirations and the conditions on the mountain and then head out onto the winter mountains.
We will typically cover
Planning our day taking into account the group and mountain conditions
Winter weather, avalanche forecasts and avalanche avoidance
Guidebooks, grades
Navigating to and from the route.
Use of ice axe and crampons
Movement skills in steeper terrain
Use of the rope to protect an awkward step or descent
Winter belays using the rock or snow
Abseiling and retreating in winter.
Equipment selection and what to carry.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DO I NEED?
A climbing harness, climbing helmet crampons and ice axe would be useful. If you have one please bring them along if not we are very happy to loan them out free of charge.
In addition you will need equipment to allow you to enjoy a day in the winter mountains.
We will provide all the ropes and technical equipment for the course.
WE WILL SEND OUT A COMPREHENSIVE KIT LIST UPON BOOKING.