HIGHPOINT MOUNTAINGUIDES RUN FOUR DIFFERENT WINTER WINTER SKILLS COURSES, EACH ONE WITH A PARTICULAR TARGET AUDIENCE IN MIND – WINTER HILLWALKING, WINTER MOUNTAINEERING, INTRODUCTION TO WINTER CLIMBING AND SNOW AND ICE CLIMBING. FULL DETAILS OF EACH COURSE CAN BE FOUND USING THE MENU TO THE LEFT, BUT THE SUMMARIES BELOW WILL HELP YOU TO CHOOSE WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU. ALL COURSES START ON SATURDAYS, BUT FOR GROUPS OF 2 OR MORE, WE MAY BE ABLE TO OFFER DIFFERENT START DATES.
WINTER HILLWALKING:
A classic weekend course run in both the Lake District and Scotland for hillwalkers with a little, or no experience in winter conditions. We’ll cover all the key basic skills such as use of ice axe and crampons, general safety in winter conditions, equipment, avalanche awareness and navigation. Max ratio 1:6
WINTER MOUNTAINEERING:
If you already have some experience of winter hillwalking and you want to develop the skills and confidence to tackle steeper walks in more challenging terrain, then this course could be for you. It covers techniques for moving safely on steeper terrain, coping with particular hazards such as hard ice, the use of a safety rope for protecting short sections of steep ground, avalanche awareness, navigation for bad conditions etc. A good step up from winter hillwalking, but not a climbing course. Available as a weekend course in the Lakes and Scotland, and as a long weekend in Scotland only. Maximum ratio 1:4
INTRODUCTION TO WINTER CLIMBING:
Another step up in difficulty, this time to winter climbs in the grade 1/2 category. You’ll need to be confident moving on steep snow, and some climbing or scrambling experience would be useful. You’ll learn about belaying methods on snow and ice, techniques enabling you to be as safe as possible, judging route conditions and selecting routes, and climbing techniques for different terrain. Available in Scotland only, and as a weekend or 4 day course. Ratio 1:2
SNOW AND ICE CLIMBING:
Guiding and instruction on routes of grades 2/3 upwards. Hire a guide to do some classic routes or extend your skills with some top quality coaching. Available as 1:2 or 1:1 ratio only.
