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Scottish Ice and Mixed Climbing Course

"Our Scottish ice and mixed climbing course is for climbers with previous winter climbing experience who want to learn new skills and take on some famous harder routes in the company of our expert staff. During the week, we cover all the ice and mixed climbing skills needed to tackle bigger, more technical objectives."
  
5 days
Intermediate
2:1
Dates: By Arrangement
Price: Private Guiding Rates
Fitness: 3
Experience: You should have climbed Scottish grade II/III previously to get the most out of the week.
Included: Guiding Fees
Other Costs: Personal food and accom, fuel at cost.
Book Online Here
 
Summary
You can expect to be climbing a variety of ice or mixed routes at grade III/IV. Each week is tailored to your personal requirements - so we can concentrate on the particular skill areas or styles of climbing that you are most interested in. For lead coaching sessions, you need to book as a team of two - as the guide will be alongside checking placements and giving advice - so you need a belayer too.
We offer this course as a private guiding itinerary - with dates by arrangement during January - March. Prices are as per our private guiding rates, up to a maximum of 2 climbers per guide.
 
Course Base
Our Scottish winter mountaineering courses are based in the Highland centre of Fort William, under the shadow of Ben Nevis. This central location allows full access to shops and services during the week and the best choice of climbing venues each day (we regularly visit both the East and West coasts depending on conditions).
 
Sample Itinerary
Subject to weather and conditions, we follow the general format below:
scottish ice and mixed climbing course itinerary
Day 1 -Mon

AM meet in Fort William - discuss plans, kit check and sort equipment before heading on the hill for a recap of existing skills during the ascent of an ice or mixed route. Coaching in front pointing and the use of 2 tools on steeper terrain.
Days 2 - 5 Tue - Fri
Ascents of classic grade III/IV ice and mixed routes. Skills covered include:
  • winter navigation
  • avalanche avoidance
  • stance organisation
  • snow belays
  • rock and ice anchors
  • climbing conditions
  • route selection
  • retreating safely etc

All skills training takes place in real climbing situations, by incorporating planned learning opportunities into the course of each ascent.

Fri PM - course debrief and advice for the future.

scottish ice and mixed climbing course
 
Food and Accommodation
We run all of our courses on a guiding & instruction only basis. Food and accommodation must be paid for seperately. A good range of recommended accommodation options around Fort William are provided with your joining instructions.
 
Ability and Experience
You should have climbed Scottish grade II/III previously to get the most out of the week. As with most mountain activities, scottish winter mountaineering can be hard work (see fitness level 3) so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular cardiovascular exercise and some climbing related training down the wall or gym - as each day on the hill can involve 6-8 hours carrying a 10kg rucsac over steep mountain terrain (keeping this up for 5 days straight definitely requires some background fitness!)
 
Equipment
All communal safety equipment (ropes etc) is provided by us. You are expected to come equiped with personal clothing and equipment. For the more specialist items (harness, helmet, ice axe, crampons and boots) hire is available locally if needed.
 
     
 
 
 
         
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