Winter Skills (5 Days)

Learn LEVEL | 5 day(s) | Ratio 1:6

Overview

Would you like to develop an in-depth and practical knowledge of the skills required to journey in the hills in winter conditions, competently and confidently?

DETAILED INFO

AIMS

Learn and develop the core winter skills required for hill walking in the UK Mountains under winter conditions whilst undertaking ascents of the mountains in and around the Cairngorms.

PRE-REQUISITES

Mountain walking experience desirable. Be prepared for some 6-8 hour days on the hill.

IS IT FOR ME?

To get the most out of these five days we recommend that you have summer hill walking experience and have a level of fitness that will allow you to undertake five consecutive days on the hill. Winter hill walking is arduous so a good level of fitness will allow you to cope with what at times can be harsh and physically demanding conditions.

CONTENT

You will usually be in a group of no more than six 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, and the current weather and snow conditions. The main topics to be covered are:

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
Poor visibility navigation
Route planning in winter taking into account weather, conditions and avalanche risk

Evening lecture topics may include winter hazards, winter navigation and avalanche awareness.

The programme is fairly flexible taking into account individual needs and aims, weather, and snow conditions. Scottish winter conditions can be very variable. We sometimes experience sudden snow loss due to periods of warm temperatures and high winds. We will do our very best to deliver all elements of your course as outlined. However in the event of limited snow cover, we will offer a range of options relevant to your course contents, aspirations, and the weather conditions.