The Scottish mountains can be transformed during the winter months. Our hills are particularly dangerous as conditions can vary from day to day. With this in mind it is crucial that all hill goers have a basic understanding of winter walking skills and know where and when to use them.
Winter skills Course 1 Day
Our skills day covers the different conditions that may occur in the Winter Mountains and how these conditions affect and change your approach on the hill.
The course starts with an introduction to the clothing and equipment that will help you survive in the Scottish mountains in winter. We will look at layering systems and talk about the different types of axes and crampons on the market and show you how to use them.
Much of our time concentrates on the different
skills required to move safely through the mountains, We will show you skills including step
cutting, the use of an ice axe, crampon techniques and avalanche awareness. The
day is spent learning and practicing skills that will help you enjoy you time
spent in Scotland's winter hills. Towards the end of the day we will go for a walk possibly taking in a winter Munro Summit putting all the new skills in to practice.
Leader/Group Ratio 1:6 (maximum) Cost £65
Dates 16th Jan 6th 13th 20th Feb 2010
Winter Skills Weekend 2 days
Our skills weekend courses are designed for hill walkers with some summer experience who want to take their knowledge and understanding to a new level. Our two day skills weekend covers all of the content of the 1 day course with the 2nd day being spent learning new winter skills such as basic rope work, navigation techniques and emergency snow holing. The second day will also take in a winter hill walk possibly to a Munro Summit puting our new found skills in to practice. The price includes 1 night s/c bunk house accommodation.
Leader/Group Ratio 1:6 (maximum) Cost £165
Dates 16th-17th Jan 6th-7th Feb
Helmets Crampons and Ice Axes can be hired at £5 per item
Winter Mountain Week
Spend 5 days in the wild Scottish East Highlands. This course is designed for the summer walker who wants to take their skills to a new level. Our Winter Mountain Week takes you through many of the skills required to tackle the Scottish Winter Mountains. Day 1 and 2 is spent on mountain craft skills and getting tuned into the winter environment. We will follow this by constructing a snow hole and spending a night out in the hills. Our final days will be spent climbing some of the areas most famous hills and finishing off with a grade 1 snow climb.
Leader/Group Ratio 1:6 (maximum).
Price includes: Ice axe , helmet , harness , crampons and snow shovel.
Based at Gulabin Lodge Glenshee
Accommodation Notes: All accommodation to be paid direct to Gulabin Lodge.
(Note course starts Monday morning and finishes Friday evening and includes accommodation for Sunday night).
