Winter Skills - Aviemore - 5 days

On this 5 Day course you will learn all the core skills required to stay safe in the Winter hills. You will finish the course confident with kit selection, personal movement, route planning and preparation, winter navigation, the use of axes and crampons to keep your self safe as well as how to be independent and competent in our winter mountains. No winter experience is needed, you can be a total winter newby!

The course is based from Aviemore, Cairngorms

On each day, we will meet at 9am (At the Explorer Cafe, Tiso, Aviemore on Day 1) and spend the majority of the day in  the hills. We will finish each day around 4pm.  On the final day, we will finish a little earlier to allow for journeys home etc. You will have plenty of time over the week to gain and practise all the skills needed to keep yourself safe in Scottish winter. 

The course will cover/include:

- 5 days out in the magnificent hills in the Cairngorms - including shorter skills day and longer  mountain journeys

- Hire of Crampon, Ice Axe and helmet (booked at registration)

- Personal kit selection and appropriate use of kit

- Route planning and preperation

- Avalanche and snowpack Awareness

- Winter navigation skills

- Use of an ice axe for personal movement including cutting steps, self arrest and self belay.

- Use of crampons in ascent/decent, including kicking steps.

- Emergency Procedures in the hills

This course will not include:

- Accommodation - Get in touch if you would like advice about accommodation

- Transport - Though I can help with this if you are coming by train :) 

Kit List

Essential kit for you to have

- Waterproof Jacket (WITH hood)

- Waterproof Trousers

- Insulated jacket/coat

- Fleece layer/jumper

- Mountain Boots (B2/B3, stiff bottommed boots - please make sure you have the right boots, ask me if you are at all unsure. Stiff B1 are sometimes sufficient. You can easilly hire boots if you need to but this will need booking beforehand)

- Medium size rucksack (with waterproof liner, or dry bags)

- Hat 

- 2 x Gloves (At least 1 waterproof pair)

- Sunglasses or Sun Hat

- Goggles

- Buff or Balaclava

- Head torch and spare batteries

- Walking pole(s)

- Food and Drink for the day

- Thermos flask is recommended so that you can have a hot drink!

- Personal Medication and First Aid Kit

- Foil survival bag

- Emergency Whistle

- Waterproof map of the area (Or non-waterproof map in waterproof cover) I will let you know which map nearer the time.

- Compass (Silva Expedition Type 4 is recommended)

Recomendeed:

- Gaiters

- Waterproof socks

Essential kit that can be hired (bring your own if you have them!)

• Crampons (12 point, with anti-balling plate)
• Ice Axe – 50 – 65cm, straight walking axe                                These 3 peices of kit can be booked at checkout!
• Helmet (Suitable for Climbing/Mountaineering)

Get in touch if you would like more details. Each course is designed around the individuals in the group and can be flexible to different experience and skill levels. 

I also run 2 DAY WINTER SKILLS and WOMEN’S WINTER SKILL COURSES -