WINTER MOUNTAINEERING
Join me on a winter mountaineering course and enjoy being guided on famous mountain ranges, learning the skills to climb safely and confidently outdoors.
We offer a range of courses:
Mountain Guiding & Scrambling - all abilities - Single and Multiple Day options.
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Climbing Instruction ​ - Beginer & Advanced courses - Single and Multiple Day options.
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Each course is designed with the clients goals in mind so not one course is ever the same. It's a great way to learn the skills to climb independently in the mountains or enjoy an adventurous day under the support of your expert guide.
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If you would like more information on which course is right for you then please get in touch.
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Please fill out our booking enquiry form with the dates you would like and which course you are interested in.
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Once booked you will receive a full kit list and itinerary. All of the technical kit is provided, however, we do not supply mountain boots or climbing shoes.
BEGINNER COURSES:
These courses based in North Wales, Scotland or The Lake District will teach you essential winter skills necessary to venture out and explore the mountains using crampons and ice axes. Every course is led by a qualified Winter Mountain Leader.
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We organise guiding and instruction at Cairngorm national park or the Glencoe area of the highlands in Scotland or in England depending on the weather conditions and your location preferences. During every course you will get the chance to explore some of the most famous mountaineering locations in the British Isles.
On the multi-day skill courses we cover all the basic skills needed to travel in the mountains during winter. We also spend one of those days putting these skills into practice by ascending a summit or two in the local area such as Ben Nevis or Caingorm mountain.
The course is open to all abilities but if you have any concerns or questions, please get in touch.
These courses do not include accommodation however we can recommend places to stay for people with different budgets. Equipment is not provided but there are places to hire ice axes and crampons if you need them.
Once booked you will receive a full kit list and itinerary.
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Here is a list of some of the skills we will cover..
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Personal movement skills on snow, including kicking steps and using ice axe for walking, self belay, cutting steps, and self arrest.
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Use of crampons in ascent/decent
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Emergency procedures
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Avalanche awareness and safe route choice
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Core techniques of winter navigation
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Poor visibility navigation
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Route planning
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Understanding weather conditions and avalanche risk
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Abseiling techniques on snow and ice
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Using ice and and crampons on steep ground
Ratio 1:6 with fully qualified mountain leader
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Time of year roughly December to March
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Pricing for 1 day:
1:1 - £180
1:2 - £125 per person
1:3 - £83 per person
1:4+ - £62.50 per person
ADVANCED COURSES
These courses are designed for people who have practiced mountaineering during winter and are familiar with crampons and ice axe. You may have completed some classic grade 1-2 scrambles but would like to learn the skills and experience for grade 3-4 winter routes.
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Routes & Grades to Expect:
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Guided Scrambling routes grade 2-3. We may visit routes on Ben Nevis or venture into the Glen Coe. Multi pitch climbing routes up to grade 4 winter.
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Experience Needed:
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You will need to have climbed grade 2-3 winter routes in Scotland or similar alpine routes.
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Over the course we can cover a variety of skills such as building anchors, placing gear, lead climber considerations and much more. If you think this may be for you then get in touch below.
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Instructor to client ratio 1:2
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Cost:
1 person:
1 day: £200
2 days: £280 (saving £20)
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2 person:
1 day: £240 (£120 each)
2 day: £440 (saving £40)
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Ratio: 1:2 with qualified instructor