Winter skills course
The aim of this course is to introduce you to the skills required for venturing
out onto the mountains of the UK in winter conditions - winter navigation, the
assessment of conditions, crampon and ice axe skills along with route choice and
the decision making process are all covered in practical sessions suited to your
level of ability.
Most mountain courses are either based in Snowdonia - North Wales , Cairngorms
or Ben Nevis - Scotland.
A typical course starts with an introduction, issue of equipment and safety
briefing, and goes through the preparation process for a winter route,
including weather and conditions, equipment and clothing, abilities,
aspirations, etc. The hard skills are then looked at progressively in practical
sessions - map and compass, evaluating conditions, ice axe and crampon skills,
ropework etc. - making the most of the weather / conditions and short daylight
hours.
The final day of these courses would further consolidate the skills learnt and
explore the decision making process during the completion of a "named" route.
This course is run at a maximum ratio of 1:4 and can be adapted to suit your
level of ability and aspirations .
Book a course
Scottish winter mountain
course information
This course is designed as an introduction to
Scotland's winter mountains. The hard skills are covered, e.g - ice axe and crampon technique,
simple rope work
and anchors etc, as well as the decision making
process with route choice, assessment of
conditions, avalanche awareness etc.
Venues:
Most courses are based in Aviemore, with easy
access to the Cairngorms mountains, or in Fort
William, within easy reach of Ben Nevis and
Lochaber, Glencoe and Creag Mheagaidh. A
flexible approach is required in winter to make
the most of the weather and snow conditions and
so transport to the different venues from either
Aviemore or Fort William is included in the
course fee. See below for transport options.
Course Itinerary:
It is preferable to meet informally on the
evening before the start of the course if
possible, to discuss past experience,
aspirations, equipment, plan for next day etc.,
this maximises our time out in the mountains and
allows a relaxed preparation for the days
objectives. All time spent in preparation will
pay dividends and the planning process will be
more formally discussed on the morning of the
first day, starting at 08.45 hrs.
Mountain days : will focus on a gradual
progression of the necessary skills, and with
low ratios, this can be closely tailored to
individual requirements.
Typical itineraries start with:
Weather and conditions evaluation
Route choice
Equipment
Safety briefing
Moving onto:
Navigation, practical assessment of conditions (
and avalanche awareness ) ice axe and crampons
skills, the winter environment, looking after
yourself, practical route choice, security on
steep ground, introduction to simple rope
techniques including creating anchors.
We should be off the mountains by 16.30 hrs on
most days, with further time to review the day’s
topics during informal evening sessions, time
will be allocated for this on the afternoon of
the last day, with courses finishing at 16.00
hrs.
Transport links to Aviemore and Fort William:
Both Aviemore and Fort William have good rail
links:
http://www.directrail.com/trains_to_aviemore.html
http://www.directrail.com/trains_to_fort_william.html
and coach services via :
http://www.nationalexpress.com
and
http://www.citylink.co.uk/index.php
Accommodation:
As popular tourist destinations, both Aviemore
and Fort William have many options for
accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets
including good campsites, chalets, bunkhouses,
Youth Hostels, B&B’s, self catering cottages and
hotels – please note, winter camping can be hard
! – all to be found on :
http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/where-to-stay/
You will need !
Clothing
Waterproof Jacket - full weight breathable model
preferred
Base Layer
Light fleece jackets + heavy fleece jacket or
warm softshell jacket or insulated jacket
Trousers and waterproof overtrousers or
salopettes - with 3/4 or full length side zips
Hat or Balaclava - must fit under a helmet
Warm Ski Type Gloves – Spare pair just in case
one gets wet and / or:
Spare Mittens - especially if you suffer from
cold hands.
Footwear
Socks – a few pairs of warm socks – calf length,
loop stitched with high wool content.
Gaiters
Winter Mountaineering “B2 /B3” Boots – crampon
compatible
Technical Equipment ( can be supplied ! )
Harness
Climbing Helmet
C2 / C3 Crampons (preferably with anti-balling
plates)
Ice Axe / axes
Long sling + locking karabiner
Miscellaneous
Ski Goggles ( can be supplied )
Sunglasses
Suncream
Rucsac 30-35 litres
Waterbottle and / or thermos flask
Headtorch
Personal medications + blister kit
Camera
Packed lunch for the mountain days.
If you already have any personal equipment,
bring it along - this will help with familiarity
with your gear and give us the opportunity to
discuss the pro's and con's of different
equipment.
Although I have Public Liability insurance to
the value of £ 5M, you may wish to purchase
personal accident, and travel insurance as you
think necessary ! Packages which include
insurance for climbing and other mountain
activities are available from:
www.thebmc.co.uk
or
www.adrenalinetravelinsurance.co.uk
What is included !
Technical equipment – harness, helmet, ice axes,
crampons.
I have a selection of other equipment available
– Please let me know if you need anything else
e.g rucsac etc. – especially if you are
intending to buy any equipment for the course.
Boot hire is available from :
http://www.mountainspirit.co.uk ( Aviemore ) or
http://www.ellis-brigham.com/fort-william.htm
Course aims
You will gain the most from the course by being
comfortable, relaxed and receptive to the
training and experience , an open mind and open,
questioning approach to your training will help
achieve this.
The ‘Scottish Winter Mountains’ have an
international reputation as an area of unique
mountain environments , with their own
challenges and rewards to the mountaineer, this
course will hopefully give you an insight into
the skills required and the inspiration to
independently explore these beautiful mountains.
Further Information
There a great many sources of information for
the topics covered on the course, I would
recommend the following:
Scotlands Winter Mountains – Martin Moran – ISBN
0715307940
Winterskills – Andy Cunnignham / Allen Fyffe –
ISBN 0954151135
Chance in a million – Bob Barton / Blyth Wright
– ISBN 0907521592
Winter climbing + by Neil Gresham / Ian Parnell
– ISBN 9781873341964
Online sources include :
http://www.ukclimbing.com
Welsh Winter Skills Course
Information
This course is designed as
an introduction to the UK’s winter mountains.
The skills of navigation, route choice,
assessment of conditions, ice axe and crampon
use, equipment and simple ropework are practised
to develop safe and efficient expeditions in
these beautiful mountains.
Venues:
Courses are based in Snowdonia National Park,
with easy access to the rugged mountains of the
Glyderau, Carneddau, or Snowdon Massif. A
flexible approach is required in winter to make
the most of the weather and snow conditions and
so transport to the different venues from the
valley bases is included in the course fee. See
below for transport options.
Course Itinerary:
Most courses meet at The
Pinnacle Cafe, Capel Curig at 09.15 hrs, where
we can discuss past experience, aspirations,
equipment, plan for day etc., this maximises our
time out in the mountains and allows a relaxed
preparation for the days objectives, all time
spent in preparation will pay dividends and the
planning process will be more formally discussed
on the evening of the first day.
Mountain days : will focus on a gradual
progression of the necessary skills, and with
low ratios, this can be closely tailored to
individual requirements. Typical itineraries
start with:
Weather and conditions evaluation
Route choice
Equipment
Safety briefing
Moving onto:
Navigation, practical
assessment of conditions ( and avalanche
awareness ) introduction of ice axe and
crampons, the winter environment, looking after
yourself, practical route choice, security on
steep ground, introduction to simple rope
techniques including creating anchors, survival
skills and emergency procedures.
We should be off the mountains by 16.30 hrs on
most days, with further time to review the day’s
topics during informal evening sessions, time
will be allocated for this on the afternoon of
the last day, with courses finishing at 16.00
hrs.
Transport links to Capel Curig:
Betws-y-coed has good rail
links:
http://www.directrail.com/train_tickets.aspx
and
coach services via
:http://www.nationalexpress.com
( Local transport around
the park is included in the course fee )
Accommodation:
As a popular tourist
destinations, Snowdonia has many options for
accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets
including good campsites, chalets, bunkhouses,
Youth Hostels, B&B’s, self catering cottages and
hotels – please note, winter camping can be hard
! – all to be found on :
http://www.visitwales.co.uk/holiday-accommodation-in-wales/wales-holiday-accommodation-search-cottages-b-and-b-hotels/
You will need !
Waterproof Jacket - full weight breathable model
preferred
Base Layer
Light fleece jackets + heavy fleece jacket or
warm softshell jacket or insulated jacket
Trousers and waterproof overtrousers or
salopettes - with 3/4 or full length side zips
Hat or Balaclava - must fit under a helmet
Warm Ski Type Gloves – Spare pair just in case
one gets wet and / or:
Spare Mittens - especially if you suffer from
cold hands.
Socks – a few pairs of warm socks – calf length,
loop stitched with high wool content.
Gaiters
Winter Mountaineering “B2 /B3” Boots – must be
crampon compatible
Technical Equipment ( all technical equipment
can be supplied – but if you have your own,
bring it with you , it will help familiarise you
with your equipment and may be a discussion
point about the various merits of equipment )
Harness
Climbing Helmet
C2 / C3 Crampons (preferably with anti-balling
plates)
Ice Axe / axes
Long sling + locking karabiner
Miscellaneous
Ski Goggles ( can be supplied )
Sunglasses
Suncream
Rucsac 30-35 litres
Waterbottle and / or thermos flask
Headtorch
Personal medications + blister kit
Camera
Map / Compass ( can be supplied )
Packed lunch for the mountain days.
Although I have Public Liability insurance to
the value of £ 5M, you may wish to purchase
personal accident, and travel insurance as you
think necessary ! Packages which include
insurance for climbing and other mountain
activities are available from:
www.thebmc.co.uk or
www.adrenalinetravelinsurance.co.uk
What is included !
Technical equipment – harness, helmet, ice axes,
crampons.
I have a selection of other equipment available
– Please let me know if you need anything else
e.g day sac etc. – especially if you are
intending to buy any equipment for the course.
Course aims:
You will gain the most from the course by being
comfortable, relaxed and receptive to the
training and experience , an open mind and open,
questioning approach to your training will help
achieve this.
The ‘Mountains of the Uk’ have an international
reputation as areas of unique mountain
environments , with their own challenges and
rewards to the mountaineer, this course will
hopefully give you an insight into the skills
required and the inspiration to independently
explore these beautiful mountains.
Further Information:
There a great many sources of information for
the topics covered on the course, I would
recommend the following:
Scotlands Winter Mountains – Martin Moran – ISBN
0715307940
Winterskills – Andy Cunnignham / Allen Fyffe –
ISBN 0954151135
Chance in a million – Bob Barton / Blyth Wright
– ISBN 0907521592
Winter climbing + by Neil Gresham / Ian Parnell
– ISBN 9781873341964
Online sources include
:
http://www.ukclimbing.com