En-suite bedrooms from £60pn. Book your course and then call us to book your accommodation
Find Out MoreMTA Winter Conference – Intro to Winter Skills
Learn LEVEL | 1 day(s) | Ratio 1:6
Overview
A one-day introduction for those wishing to extend their walking into the winter season in North Wales, the Lakes, or Scotland. Primarily it is about learning to use an axe and crampons. Starting with making sound judgements about route choice and terrain, movement skills and effective boot placement before moving onto using the axe to aid safe travel, crampon techniques on steeper ground, and finally using the axe for self-arrest should the rest of those skills fail.
DETAILED INFO
AIMS
This course is designed to introduce you to a range of core skills that will enable you to enjoy and move about the UK’s mountains in winter conditions, competently and confidently.
PRE-REQUISITES
Summer mountain walking experience
IS IT FOR ME?
To get the most out of this course we recommend that you have summer hill walking experience and a level of fitness that will allow you to undertake two consecutive days on the hill. Winter hill walking is arduous so a good level of fitness will allow you to cope with what are at times harsh and physically demanding conditions.
CONTENT
The programme is fairly flexible taking into account individual needs and aims, weather/snow conditions, etc. The main topics to be covered are:
The selection and organisation of personal kit appropriate to winter hill walking
Personal movement skills on snow, including kicking steps and using the ice axe for walking, self-belay, cutting steps, and self-arrest
Use of crampons in ascent/descent
Emergency procedures
Avalanche awareness and safe route choice
Core techniques of winter navigation
Step 1
Book your course place online
Step 2
Call to book accommodation. Prices from £60pn
USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Instruction
Use of kit
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
Breakfast on each course day.
Dinner on each course day (except on 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 axes
- Helmet
- Climbing harness
- 40lt rucksack
- walking poles (if it is your preference to use them)
EQUIPMENT YOU NEED TO BRING WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE IN STORES
Listed here are the essentials, this is not an exhaustive list
- Personal clothing
- Winter outdoor wear
- Insulating layers
- Winter climbing/mountaineering trousers
- Warm hat & gloves (several pairs)
- Whistle
- Compass
- Waterproof map case
- Headtorch
- Rucksack liner/dry bags
- Personal first aid kit
- Personal toiletries & medications
- Suncream & hat
Glenmore Lodge will provide any technical equipment required on a skills course e.g. climbing ropes and racks.
