FROM £650

WINTER CLIMBING

ADVANCED WINTER CLIMBING

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Our advanced winter climbing course has been put together for people who want to further their techniques and push their grade in ice and mixed climbing. We usually tackle some of the classic climbs and ridges throughout the Northern Corries & Ben Nevis Some previous winter climbing experience is essential for this course.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS

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Any technical equipment, crampons, ice axes, harness & helmet is included in the price

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Effectively planning your days in the mountains, using weather and avalanche forecasts

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Avalanche awareness/avoidance and its implications for safe route choice

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Advanced techniques of ice and rock protection, torquing & dry tooling

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Construction of winter belays, Albolokov threads, belaying in 'guide mode'

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Escaping from winter multi-pitch climbs, minimising equipment left behind

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Coaching to develop your movement and technique on steep/varied terrain

What's included?

✓ Highly experienced & qualified guide

✓ On-course transport

✓ Crampons

✓ Technical Ice axes

✓ Harness

✓ Helmet

✓ Ropes

✓ Any climbing hardware i.e. slings, carabiners, wires etc

✓ Shovels

✓ Group shelter

✓ First Aid kit

✓ Photos from your course

What's not included?

✗ Course Insurance

✗ Winter Boots

What do I need to bring?

Quality waterproofs i.e. Gore-tex or similar
B2-B3 style boots
Hat, waterproof gloves plus spares x 2 minimum
Winter walking socks
We advise wearing 2-3 thinner layers rather than one thick layer so you can adjust your temperature during the activity
'Belay' type jacket
Wicking base layers, top & bottoms
Goggles, double clear lens recommended
Head torch, plus spare batteries
Balaclava and neck gaiter
Lunch & warm drink
Rucksack 30-40ltr
4 season sleeping bag to snow hole if the conditions are favourable

What else can we provide?

Reservation for boot hire
Pick up & drop-offs
Accommodation

Due to the variety of winter conditions encountered in Scotland this course is run with a conditions based approach, meaning that your instructor/guide will use the best of conditions to maximise safety, your learning and overall experience throughout your course. Below is a sample itinerary.

Day 1

We meet and chat through the week ahead, and what people want to get from the five days. We then look at the weather and avalanche forecast and talk through the options.

Day 2-5

This is what you have come for ascents of classic climbs in Scotland. As always the objectives and the training areas will be weather and conditions dependent. The training focus will be on improving your core skills in the winter climbing environment. There will be a growing emphasis on your own ability to make decisions, whether it be about packing your bag, regulating your temperature or where to stop for a snack. Overall, you should expect to feel more confident and competent about climbing on a variety of advanced terrain under your own steam and leave the course with more valuable experience under your belt. A few options of climbs over the 5 days could be:

> Hidden Chimney, Cairngorms(III)

> Invernookie, Cairngorms(III, 4)

> Deep Cut Chimney, Cairngorms(IV, 4)

> Raeburns Route, Glencoe (IV)

> Dorsal Arete, Glencoe (III)

> Comb Gully, Ben Nevis (I)

> Number Three Gully Buttress, Ben Nevis (III)