En-suite bedrooms from £60pn. Book your course and then call us to book your accommodation
Find Out MoreHigh Altitude Prep
Adventure LEVEL | 2 day(s) | Ratio 1:4
Overview
This course is ideal for those who are planning to undertake any high altitude mission around the globe, be it the Himalaya, Andes, Africa, North America or Antarctica, as well as the higher objectives in the European Alps. If it’s your first trip to high altitude, either trekking or climbing, this course aims to take some of the uncertainty out of knowing what to expect as well as giving you the opportunity to learn and develop core skills that will improve your chances of having a successful trip.
DETAILED INFO
AIMS
A confidence builder for the first time big mountain adventurer through a mixture of practical and classroom based sessions that aim to inform, educate and develop your personal skills.
PRE-REQUISITES
Some summer or winter hill walking experience.
IS IT FOR ME?
This course is designed to tick the box for those heading out to climb a Himalayan or equivalent trekking or mountaineering peak that have no previous big mountain experience. This is an essential course if you have little or no experience of operating in winter or on snow covered mountains. This course will give you the confidence that you are going on your big mountain adventure having gained first hand knowledge and experience with staff who have spent a lot of time in the high altitude environment – many with 6000m+ experience.
CONTENT
Over the two days we will look at key high altitude subjects such as:
- Dealing with altitude
- Clothing and equipment
- Moving on snow using boots and crampons
- Ice axe skills and self-arrest
- Introduction to basic ropework
- Managing and ascending fixed lines using jumars
- Identifying and dealing with cold injuries and illness
- Understanding snow conditions on big mountains
Aiming to make the best use of weather and conditions, we will be both mountain and classroom based so expect to be outdoors in some wild and spectacular scenery during the two days.
Step 1
Book your course place online
Step 2
Call to book accommodation. Prices from £60pn
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USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
• Instruction • Use of kit • Shuttle bus to Glenmore Lodge (departs Aviemore station 5:20pm on Friday and Sundays). Please call 01479 861 256 to book a space. • Packed lunch and afternoon tea each day • In-course transport
WHAT'S INCLUDED IF YOU CHOOSE THE RESIDENTIAL OPTION - AS ABOVE PLUS
Accommodation in an en-suite bedroom. If booking as an Individual, you will not be asked to share with a stranger.
Breakfast for each course day (except one day and back-to-back courses).
Dinner for each course day (except the final day, and on one day or back-to-back courses).
Use of the facilities at Glenmore Lodge.
Linen is provided along with a towel, you may wish to bring an extra towel if you would like to use the facilities.
NEED TO KNOW
WHAT WILL I NEED
YOU WILL NEED (Glenmore Lodge can provide if required)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated synthetic jacket with hood
- Winter Boots
- Gaiters
- Crampons
- Ice Axe/s (depending on course)
- Helmet
- Climbing harness (depending on course)
- 40lt rucksack
- Walking poles
EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO BRING WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE IN THE STORES
What will you need to bring? Listed here are the essentials; this is not an exhaustive list.
- Personal clothing
- Winter outdoor wear
- Insulating layers
- Winter climbing / mountaineering trousers
- Hat & gloves, several pairs of.
- Whistle
- Compass – Silva type 4 recommended with a 1:40,000 romer ***
- Waterproof map case.
- Headtorch
- Rucksack liner (or sturdy bin liner) / dry bags
- Hydration system (water bottle / flask)
- Box or bag for packed lunch.
- Personal first aid kit
- Personal toiletries & medications (towels are provided)
- Suncream & sun hat
Map information – we encourage everyone on mountain courses to have a map covering the Northern Cairngorms with a 10km radius from the ski area. There are now a range of scales and maps available OS 1:50,000, OS 1:25,000 and Harvey Map 1:40,000. For candidates on any NGB course such as Mountain Leader winter, you should have a 1:50,000 map and ideally one other scale. For non-qualification courses any scale is fine, OS 1:50,000 map sheet 36 covers the widest area, but the Harvey 1:40,000 has a lot of additional information on the back of it, however it is useful to have the Silva Mark 4 compass with the 1:40,000 scale on it, (only available since 2010). If you have digital mapping and can print off map sheets a suggested area would be:
NW corner NH8514 NE corner NJ0314
SW corner NN8593 SE corner NO0393
Glennmore Lodge will provide any technical equipment required on a skills course e.g. climbing ropes and racks. However it would be expected that students attending any climbing NGB courses will have their own technical equipment other than ropes which Glenmore Lodge will provide.
