Winter Mountaineering Course

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Winter Mountaineering Courses - Scotland

Intermediate to Advanced - Ben Nevis, Glencoe and the Cairngorms

Our Winter Mountaineering Courses are aimed at those people that already have some experience of winter mountaineering routes like ledge Route on Ben Nevis or the traverse of Liathach, or have been on one of our Introduction to Winter Mountaineering Courses. Maybe you are looking to make the next step up to mountaineering ground that can have some short sections of winter climbing ground such as Curved Ridge and Castle ridge. Or maybe you have greater ambitions of heading to the Alps and are looking to be able to move efficiently over longer and more complex ground.

This course will cover belay construction and rock climbing anchors for the pitched sections of climbing, snow anchors, movement over steeper sections of snow and rock, abseiling and other techniques to help you cover the easier ground more efficiently and safely.

This course is run at a ratio of 1:2, with prices start at £330 a day for individuals and all courses are run on a bespoke nature.

Winter Mountaineering Course Outline

All of our Winter Mountaineering Courses will cover as much as they can given the conditions at the time. It is not always possible to cover every aspect but we will try our best.

Refresher to Winter Walking and climbing Equipment
Fitting and carrying of Winter Equipment
What equipment/rack you should be carrying for longer or more difficult mountaineering routes
Refresher in Walking/moving on snow and mixed ground with both boots and crampons.
Placing and selecting rock and ice protection
Snow anchors
Building belays
advanced skills such as moving together (if appropriate)
Route selection
Route planning taking into consideration of the weather and avalanche forecast
The Be Avalanche Aware Process
Emergency procedures

Previous experience required for this trip

Prior experience of winter walking/mountaineering or rock climbing is ideal for this course. Some experience of walking in crampons on non-technical higher peaks is also helpful but not needed.

A reasonable to high level of fitness is required. You should expect to be out on the hills for about 7 hours each day. We can tailor the route to people's fitness levels.

Winter Skills kit list

Winter-rated boots - B2 or B3 ideally. B1 winter boots may be ok too but you may find they are not warm enough or quite stiff enough for steeper and harder snow.
Crampons - compatible with your boots.
A Walking/mountaineering axe. Straight or slightly curved.
Waterproof jacket and trousers. An absolute must
Socks.
Baselayers are to be worn next to the skin. (not cotton)
Comfortable walking trousers. Light-weight and dry quickly
Warm mid-layers. At least two, one to wear and one as an emergency layer.
Hats and gloves. Multiple pairs of gloves are best. Your gloves will likely get wet at some point and having spares will give you the option to change into a dry pair of gloves.
Head torch.
A small personal first aid kit. Plasters, paracetamol/ibuprofin and personal meds etc.
Drinks bottle/flask. 1L should be enough. You will be passing fresh water in the mountains, so you do not need to carry too much.
A rucksack. Anything larger than a 35/40L pack will do and a waterproof liner
Emergency survival bag/bivi shelter
Helmet
Harness
Belay device

We offer Our Winter Mountaineering Improvers courses on both a private booking and group booking basis.

Our 3 day group courses are £550 per person and available though the winter on selected dates. (see above) Or we can organise bespoke dates to suit your needs.

Winter Mountaineering Enquiry

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