Overview
Develop an in-depth practical knowledge of all winter climbing skills required to climb at grade II and above. Having 5 days allows us time for developing climbing tecnhique on a variety of winter climbs, such as steep snow, ice and mixed. You will also learn how to get on and off winter climbs safely and interpret weather and about avalanche conditions. The course WILL NOT cover winter leading skills. Weather dependent, we will climb in a variety of winter climbing venues, such as Creag Meagaidh and/or Ben Nevis, as well as the Cairngorms.
DETAILED INFO
AIMS
To develop a solid foundation in core winter climbing skills, whilst seconding a variety of winter climbs, such that you will be a competent and self reliant second.
PRE-REQUISITES
Summer rock climbing and winter hill walking experience essential. A physically demanding course.
CONTENT
You will usually be in a group of no more than two with one instructor. Meeting your instructor on the first morning provides an opportunity to discuss everyone’s experience and aspirations enabling the instructor to plan the programme based around these. The main topics to be covered are:
- Recap of core winter skills, such as using ice axe and crampons, for approaching climbs
- Basic rope work (tying into multi point anchors) and belaying both leader and second
- Use of technical ice tools and crampons on a variety of mediums (rock, ice, snow, turf)
- Coaching to develop personal climbing technique on ice and mixed ground
- Escaping from winter multi pitch climbs (including abseiling from a variety of anchors)
- Avalanche awareness and its implications for safe route choice. Winter navigation
- Evening sessions may include an avalanche awareness talk and a general interest talk
The programme is fairly flexible taking into account individual needs and aims, weather, etc.
DATES & PRICES
| 2025 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COURSE DATE | COST (no accommodation) |
PLACES | BOOKING | |
| Date27/01/25 | Cost (no accommodation)£985.00 | PlacesFULL | Contact Us | |
| Date03/02/25 | Cost (no accommodation)£985.00 | PlacesFULL | Contact Us | |
| Date17/02/25 | Cost (no accommodation)£985.00 | PlacesFULL | Contact Us | |
| Date24/02/25 | Cost (no accommodation)£985.00 | PlacesFULL | Contact Us | |
| Date10/03/25 | Cost (no accommodation)£985.00 | PlacesFULL | Contact Us | |
| Need a different date? Call 01479 861 256 to arrange your own date, or email [email protected] | ||||
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USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Instruction
Use of kit
Packed lunch and afternoon tea each day
In-course transport
Client REVIEWS
NEED TO KNOW
ON YOUR LAST DAY
Check out time is 10am on the final day of your booking, we have changing areas, showers and left luggage facilities on site. All courses will finish by 5pm.
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
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
- Goggles
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. 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
Glenmore Lodge will provide any technical equipment required on a skills course e.g. climbing ropes and racks.
