Introduction to Winter Mountaineering
Winter skills training and mountaineering on the East Face of Aonach Mor
This course is aimed at people with little or no winter mountaineering experience. Most accidents in Scotland’s Winter Mountains revolve around simple slips, getting lost or getting avalanched and this course reflects dealing with these 3 major hazards.
Introductory courses will cover the essential techniques with particular emphasis on:
- Efficient movement skills – good cramponing and sound use of an ice axe, the cornerstones of winter mountaineering
- Navigation, including GPS use. Route Planning
- Avalanche assessment including terrain, weather and snowpack analysis.
- Mountaineering ropework may be covered if appropriate to include moving together, pitched climbing & snow anchors
A 2-day course will concentrate largely on the movement skills training element and briefly look at snow-pack assessment and navigation. The second day will be a journey practising these and hopefully going over a summit or two.
A 5-day course gives the opportunity to practise and consolidate these skills and visit a greater range of venues and bag more summits! The ropework training can also progress further and take a more detailed look at anchor selection and using the rope for attempting more challenging routes rather than just in an emergency.
Like all our courses we offer tailor made winter mountaineering to suit your specific needs. Whether you want to climb climb Ben Nevis, go snow holing or bag some winter Munros, or are a larger group wanting winter skills training please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
