WINTER SKILLS COURSES 2008/09
Meall Nan Tarmachan, Feb 2008 Stob Gabhar, March 2008
For some folk the Winter mountains are eagerly anticipated every year. Crisp snow, a white wonderland and clear blue skies are what we hope for and do enjoy every winter in the Scottish mountains. Of course there are days of cloud and wind too! The Winter mountains bring on another completely different dimension to hillwalking and are far more serious than in the Summer months. On these courses you will gain the confidence and skills to venture into the magnificent Scottish Winter mountains safely.
We have three courses on offer through out the Winter season which runs from December to end of March. In 2007/2008 the Winter conditions continued right through to the middle of April. Don't beieive it that global warming has hit us up here!
Tarmachan NE ridge, Jan 2008 Meall Corranaich, Feb 2008
ONE DAY INTRODUCTION
This is the absolute minimum course to gain the basics of movement on snow and ice.
- Equipment choice
- Boot techniques
- Correct use of ice axe and crampons
- Ice axe arrest techniques
Axe techniques, Meall Gordaidh, March 2008 Step cutting, Meall Corranaich, Feb 2007
TWO DAY WINTER SKILLS
We build on the one day skills and introduce:
- Avalanche awareness and assessment
- Route planning and navigation
- Walking on steeper terrain
Avalanche assessment, Jan 2008 Axe arrest, Beinn Ghlas, Feb 2006
FOUR DAY COMPLETE WINTER WALKER
Much more time to consolidate and improve on the above skills aswell as:
- Full day on winter navigation techniques
- Full day on a mountain route covering all the skills gained
- Emergency procedures and snow shelters
Snow conditions in December, January, February and March