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Scottish Winter Skills Weekend

"Our Scottish winter skills weekend course offers a great introduction to winter mountaineering over an action packed two days. Suitable for beginners keen to experience winter conditions for the first time and regular hill goers wanting to brush up on skills for classic winter walking and mountaineering."
  
2 days
Introductory
6:1 max
Dates: By Arrangement
Price: Private Guiding Rates
Fitness: 2
Experience: Good basic fitness required, but no previous winter experience necessary.
Included: Guiding Fees
Other Costs: Personal food and accom, fuel at cost.
Book Online Here
 
Summary
We cover as many skills as possible over two 'real' mountain days out, including axe and crampon training, route planning advice, winter navigation, avalanche awareness and security on steep ground. You need good basic fitness for this course and can expect to climb both grade I snow gullies and munros in winter conditions during the weekend. 
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 6 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 winter skills weekend course itinerary
Day 1 - Sat AM meet in Fort William - discuss plans, kit check and sort equipment before heading on the hill. A typical day includes:
  • Ice axe and crampon skills
  • Ice axe self arrest drills
  • A short climb or summit
  • Further skills training during the day
Day 2 - Sun
Ascent of winter munros, a classic snow gully or buttress climb. Skills training to include:
  • winter navigation
  • weather and conditions
  • avalanche avoidance
  • security on steep ground
PM course debrief + advice for the future.
scottish winter mountaineering 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
As with most mountain activities, scottish winter mountaineering can be hard work (see fitness level 2). Good basic fitness, but no previous winter experience is necessary.
 
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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