Classic West Coast Ridges
Adventure LEVEL | 5 day(s) | Ratio 1:2
Overview
This is one of the best adventure courses that we offer. We head into some of the most dramatic and exciting terrain that we have in the UK. This is a guided winter experience taking you to such famous classics as Ledge route, Ben Nevis and the Aonach Eagach, Glen Coe or Curved Ridge on Buachaille Etive Mor.
It is ideal for you if you would like to experience such routes but would like the safety of an experienced instructor to support you. This trip is entirely dependent on the conditions and we could see anything from full on winter, to Alpine conditions, to maybe even summer. We’ll stay fully flexible, but can still guarantee the experience of a lifetime.
DETAILED INFO
AIMS
To equip winter hill walkers with basic winter scrambling skills and enhance their ability to move confidently and safely on steep, winter mountaineering terrain.
PRE-REQUISITES
Summer scrambling useful, winter walking essential. Be comfortable in use of crampons and ice axe. A physically demanding course.
IS IT FOR ME?
To get the most from this week summer scrambling experience would be useful and previous winter walking experience is essential. A good level of fitness is essential to undertake five days on the hill.
CONTENT
If you would prefer an instructional skills course, please take a look at our Winter Mountaineering courses.
The main topics to be covered are:
- Re-visiting core winter movement skills using axe and crampons in ascent and descent.
- Movement over grade I/II winter snow and ‘scrambling’ type terrain.
- Avalanche awareness and risk assessment and its implications for safe route choice.
- Interpreting guide books and maps to identify routes.
- Careful route finding and route choice.
- Winter navigation.
The programme is fairly flexible taking into account individual needs and aims, weather, etc.
USEFUL INFORMATION
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Instruction for 5 days.
We recommend that you take out travel insurance to cover your accommodation costs in the unlikely event of this course being cancelled.
NEED TO KNOW
WHAT WILL I NEED
YOU WILL NEED (Glenmore Lodge can provide items starred *** if required)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated synthetic jacket with hood
- Winter Boots***
- Gaiters
- Crampons***
- Ice Axe***
- 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)
- Personal first aid kit
- Suncream & sun hat
