Introduction to Winter Climbing - Lochaber

This course is designed to be an introduction to winter climbing. Lochaber in north-west Scotland is home to some of the country's most famous climbing areas, like Ben Nevis, Glen Coe and Aonach Mor. It is also home to some of the best ice climbing in Scotland. On this course, you will experience the thrill and exhilaration of being out in the mountains in the winter, learning new skills in order to allow you to get the most out of your course.

The difficulty of travelling in the mountains in the winter should not be underestimated and you will learn how to assess the conditions both underfoot and with respect to the weather, therefore making informed decisions as to the type of equipment you should use and the routes you should tackle. When everything goes to plan the results are manifold; the pleasure of being in the mountains on a crisp, sunny winter's day with amazing views and the satisfaction of having completed a route is enormous.

This three day course is designed to give novice or intermediate winter climbers the chance to learn some new skills and brush up on old ones, enabling you to travel safely and enjoy your time in the mountains. Some prior winter hill walking experience is necessary, but if you feel rusty, then you can spend the first day refreshing your skills.

 

• Location: Fort William, Lochaber.
  
• Duration - 3 days, 3 nights.
  
• Meet on Thursday afternoon, finish Sunday afternoon.
  
• Trip possible from February through March.
  
• Comfortable hotel accommodation, with twin room bed and breakfast accommodation.
  
• Either drive to Fort William or fly to Inverness/Glasgow.
  
• We provide all technical equipment such as crampons, helmets and ice axes.
  
• Experience - some winter hill walking experience is necessary (but if you are rusty, then you can spend the first day refreshing your skills.

Over the 3 days you will re-cap the essential winter skills like crampon work, use of ice axe, navigation and avalanche awareness. You will then learn new climbing skills whilst climbing some of the classic climbs of the Lochaber. Some of the skills covered will be movement technique, belaying skills, gear placements and climbing rope work. You can expect to climb routes between grade I and III over these 3 days depending on aspirations, conditions and past experience.

We normally run this trip over a long weekend, Thursday to Sunday, however if you would like to do this at any other time then please contact us.

You will meet your guide who will be a qualified mountain leader when you arrive at your accommodation. At this time they will go through the planned route and carry out an equipment check to ensure you have everything you need to enable you to enjoy the following days.

A typical tour itinerary may look like this:

Day	Activity
Thursday	Arrive in Fort William and meet up with the rest of your group.
Friday	Mountain Day usually 9am-5pm.
Saturday	Mountain Day usually 9am-5pm.
Sunday	Mountain Day usually 9am-5pm. There is an option to finish early on the Sunday if the group prefers.

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary.

You should have lots of summer walking experience and at least some winter hill walking experience with crampons is necessary. In terms of fitness, the fitter you are the better as winter climbing is physical and mentally challenging - you should be prepared for long days in the cold mountains with a heavy rucksack.

We recommend that you follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge, an example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

A detailed kit list will be issued once we confirm your booking.

This course can be completed anytime in February until the end of March.

This trip is available for individuals and groups. You can request the date for when you want to take part in the trip by clicking on the link below.

For 1 person booking on a trip we will advertise the trip here and upon meeting minimum numbers (2) confirm the trip.

For 2 people booking we will run an exclusive trip.

All requested dates are unconfirmed until minimum numbers have been booked.

Create Your Own Trip Dates

• Professional organisation of the event.
  
• Course run by a holder of the Mountain Instructors Certificate, ratio of leader to client is 1:2.
  
• Briefings, route planning and equipment checks to make sure that you have everything you need.
  
• Three nights twin hotel accommodation with breakfast. Single rooms are available for a supplement.
  
• All ground transport during the course to and from the hotel to the course locations (except any cable cars/gondolas/trains).
  
• Glasgow Airport transfers are available for a supplement.
  
• Use of winter technical equipment except boots.
  
• Group first aid with qualified first aiders.

2010 price - £499pp