winter Mountain skills
(Winter Walking)
cairngorms (2 days)
A course for beginner winter walkers, refine skills and head out on a mountain journey in the high mountains on the second day, allowing further consolidation of new skills.
This is a mountain skills course primarily, with a focus on the skills needed to operate in adverse weather conditions, navigate effectively and be safe on the high mountains in winter.
2 DAY COURSE
PRICES:£200pp
This Winter Mountain Skills Course is designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate and thrive in the winter mountains. This means equipping you with the knowledge to be safe in snow and ice environments. It emphasises practical application, builds understanding of mountain preparedness and dealing with emergencies on the hill.
The course will focus on winter equipment, its uses and practical application along side avalanche knowledge and route planning for winter environments.
The second day of the course is there for a mountain journey to be undertaken and hopefully tick off a winter Munro. A journey may include gaining the summit of Cairn Gorm, Ben Macdui or a traverse of the Norther Corries, allowing all of our skills and practical knowledge to be refined and practiced.
COURSE OUTLINE
Gear and Equipment
Essential winter clothing, footwear, and equipment for cold environments.
Proper fitting of crampons, use of ice axes, and other winter-specific gear if appropriate to conditions
Navigation Essentials
Map reading and compass skills for effective navigation in poor weather
Understanding snow-covered terrain and its effect on navigation
Route Planning and Avalanche Awareness
Identifying potential avalanche terrain and safe route selection.
Introduction to basic avalanche awareness and safety protocols.
Snow and Ice Techniques
Safe movement on snow-covered slopes, including ascending and descending.
Use of crampons, ice axes, and other winter-specific equipment.
(all conditions dependent)
Emergencies on the hill
Techniques for insulating and staying warm in a winter environment.
Emergency Procedures and group shelters
How to call Mountain Rescue
SKILLS COVERED
Planning
Gear, equipment and clothing
Reading the weather
Walking and movement skills
Navigation skills for poor visibility
Winter kit admind
Looking after yourself in bad weather
Emergency procedures
In Snowy Conditions:
Movement on snow
Ice axe technique
Crampons
Ice Axe Braking/Self arrest
Avalanche awareness
Winter navigation
EXAMPLE COURSE PROGRAMME
Day 1:
Course Intro
Intro to avalanche forecasts and snow types
Winter weather and its effects on snow
Equipment and its Uses
What to pack
How to pack
Expectation of a winter rucksack
Essential Winter Gear
Types of axes
Types of crampons
B rated boots and their importance
Movement on the Hill
Proper use of stiff boots - kicking steps
Walking in crampons: flat foot, front point, hybrid
Ice axe use - for balance and cutting steps
Self arrest
Day 2:
Mountain Journey
Further consolidation
Hopefully a winter Munro (or 2)
Making a Plan
Hueristic traps
Planning for weather on the day
Formulating a plan in line with avalanche forecast
Winter Navigation
Developing techniques and strategies for winter
Using a 1:50,000 map
Emergencies on the Hill
Hasty snow shelters
Group shelters
YOU WILL NEED
You will need to wear suitable clothing for winter mountaineering, including a full set of waterproofs, warm layers, hat & gloves, ski goggles and winter mountaineering boots.
These boots should be rigid and rated to B1/B2 standard (we can advise during the booking stage).
Boots can be hired from LDM, subject to sizes and availability of our stocks.
We can provide crampons, ice axe, helmets and other technical equipment.
BY THE END OF THE COURSE, YOU CAN EXPECT TO
Be able to look after yourself in poor weather,
Understand your kit and its limitations in the winter environment,
Be more confident in ice axe and crampon techniques,
Be a more confident navigator,
Understand avalanche forecasts and basic snow conditions,
Be safe in the winter mountains
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Calling Mountain Re
Course Ratios
1:6 Ratio - 6 people per 1 instructor
Our instructors can teach up to 6 people on this course.
This course is open to the public and has 6 spaces per course.
Minimum 2 people to run
We can provide additional instructors so if courses are full then please still enquire.
Pre-Requisites
18+
Previous experience of hill walking in summer conditions is ideal.
You will need to be fit enough to be able to walk in the snow carrying a rucksack.
Some navigational knowledge will be beneficial but is not essential (map & compass)
Please contact us to discuss regarding any queries
Equipment
All technical equipment can be provided & hired from LDM.
We will share kit lists with you during the booking stage
Crampons & axes are can be hired (£10 per day)
You will need to wear suitable outdoor clothing and have appropriate mountain footwear
(B1/B2 boots - these are rigid to take crampons)
We have a selection of boots to hire subject to sizes and availability
Boot hire is £10 per pair, per day
Venue
Our venues are carefully selected and tailored to get the most out of the programme.
On the day, we will meet you at Tiso, in the Explorer cafe for meet and greet. We will then look to organise your equipment.
The course is based in the Cairngorms but may head to Ben Nevis/Glen Coe to make use of routes/conditions
Hire our Lake District Mountaineering instructors for private and tailored programmes.
Suited to your goals & ambitions to make the most of YOUR time in the mountains.
Day rates:
1:1 £225
1:2 £250
1:3 £300
1:4 £350
1:6 £350
CONTACT
We look forward to hearing from you and working towards your mountaineering ambitions and helping to achieve your goals.
Phone or WhatsApp:
07458353048
If calls are missed we will respond when possible, please leave a voicemail or text message where possible.
Thank you