Women's Winter Skills Weekend - Glencoe - 4th - 6th March

On this 2 Day course you will learn all the core skills required to stay safe in Scottish Winter. 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!

This weekend has been designed to give Women a chance to come out for a week of Winter Skills in an inclusive and relaxing environment, where the main focus is to get out and learn the skills we need to stay safe in Scottish Winter, but also do this in a manner that is not intimidating or pressurising. With accommodation included, all you need to do is tip up and bring yourself. 

The course is based from Corran Bunkhouse, Onich, Near Fort William.

This is a lovely, privately owned Bunkhouse. Take at look at their website for more info. You will stay in a twin or triple room with other Women who are there for the Course, each room has an ensuite bathroom and provides all ben linen and towels. 

We will all meet on Friday 4th March at Corran Bunkhouse. Check in is from 5pm and we will meet in the Lounge area at 8.30pm for an Introduction to the week so we can all meet eachother. 

5th - 6th March - Winter Skills Course. You will checkout on Sunday 6th March before our final hill day, unless you would like to book yourself in for the Sunday night too (Get in touch if you would like to do this, there will be limited/no availability as it is a popular bunkhouse)

On each day, we will meet at the Hostel at 9am and head out for a day in  the hills. We will finish each day around 4pm. 

I will make an (optional) WhatsApp group before the course to allow people to virtually meet eachother, and some people like to liase with lifts/car shares/food shops. 

The course will cover/include:

- 2 nights accommodation at Corran Bunkhouse (5pm 4th March Check in - 6th March AM check-out)

- 2 days out in the magnificent hills around Glencoe - 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:

- Food for the weekend - This is a self catered bunkhouse. There are plenty of shops in Fort William, which is a short drive away. We may also go out for dinner on the Saturday night in Fort William if people would like to. So please bring your own food for breakfasts and lunches, as well as for Friday night. There are great kitchens here to make use off.  

- Transport - Though I can help with this if you are coming by train - please get in touch when you book if you  plan to travel 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 - these can be hired at an additional cost of £30)

- 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)

Recommended Kit for the evenings etc

• Comfy clothes
• Spare footwear for walking into town/around the hostel

Get in touch if you would like more details.This is one of my favourite courses of the year, I'm already looking forward to it!

I also run 2 DAY WINTER SKILLS and 5 Day Winter Skills mixed courses in the Lake District, Aviemore and Glen Coe