Winter Hill Skills
This is a two-day introduction course to winter hill walking that will provide key skills for winter walking. Key training areas are the Cairngorms, Mountains. We will introduce you to movement on snow, how to select the right boots, crampons and ice-axe that will suit your needs. Sound walking experience in summer conditions is the ideal preparation for this course.
Surviving in a snow shelter, Cairngorm National park
Skills covered are walking safely on snow, step cutting, self arrest and the use of crampons. We will also look at route selection, touch on avalanche awareness and basic survival skills (e.g. clothing, nourishment, awareness of the signs, symptoms and treatment of hypothermia) & digging your own survival snow shelter.
The course shows how to gauge the condition of the snow using snow pits. The essentials of route selection, to avoid suspect slopes, will also be discussed. At the end of your course you will feel more confident in your ability to tackle the Scottish mountains in winter. Candidates will be provided with the free use of crampons and ice-axe.
Accommodations, meals & equipment (crampon ice axes & helmets) are included in the cost.
We have boot hire facilities for those who need mountain boots for your course.
Winter Mountaineering Skill
This course is a 2 day course and is the next level to winter hill skills and will extend your mountain skills to mountaineering .On this course you will learn about rope work, snow belays such as bucket seats, ice axe belays and how to use twin ice axes on grade one winter routes. We will also teach you how to build a snow shelter and spend a night in it. You will be taught how to set up sleeping area, cooking area and how to mark your shelter for safety reasons. Avalanche avoidance and rescue methods will be covered as well.
Accommodations, meals & equipment are included in the cost.
We provide all the technical equipment for the shelter and a bivi bag for your sleeping bag. We also provide crampons, ice axes & helmets, snow shovels, snow saw and avalanche probes.
We have boot hire facilities for those who need mountain boots for your course.