WINTER MOUNTAINEERING COURSE
SCOTLAND / LAKE DISTRICT
An advanced winter skills course for winter hillwalkers providing a refresher on basic winter skills, and proceeding to cover a range of skills required for moving on steeper terrain, including the use of a safety rope on short sections of Grade 1 terrain – ridges and steep snow slopes. Winter Mountaineering Courses are not climbing courses, and will appeal to hillwalkers wanting some extra skills and training to enable them to be safe on steeper slopes and ridges and in more remote and serious winter terrain. These advanced winter skills courses take place in both the Lake District and Scotland.
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MAIN TOPICS COVERED
Refresher on key skills: A refresher in security on steep ground and snow conditions awareness.
Techniques for moving on steep ground: Correct use of ice axe and crampons on steeper slopes and ridges including front pointing, single and double axe techniques, dealing with mixed terrain (rock/snow) and hard ice
Anchor points for winter mountaineering: Simple and effective belaying on snow and rocky ridges. Basic use of safety rope.
Conditions and route judgement: What factors create good or poor conditions? What’s going to be the most suitable route for you? When to go on and when to turn back?
Avalanche awareness: Practical slope stability assessment tests plus other practical advice on strategies to be safer in avalanche prone terrain.
General safety: What to do in the event of an emergency, accident avoidance, considering others.
Equipment review: What’s available and what’s best for you.
LAKE DISTRICT – DATES AND DETAILS:
Lake District winter skills courses are based at Patterdale YHA, a modern Hostel with good facilities. It’s also handy for shops and pubs, not that you’ll have much time for shopping! Lots of alternative B&B/Hotel etc accommodation is also available locally.
DATES:
Courses run every weekend December to April conditions permitting as weekends or 3 day courses Longer courses and other start days may be available for groups of 2 or more.
PRICES:
£180pp per weekend on a non-residential basis. Maximum course ratio is 1:4.
Prices include instruction, use of specialist gear, and loan of axe/crampons as required.
PAY FOR YOUR COURSE ONLINE HERE
SCOTLAND – DATES AND DETAILS:
Scottish courses are based from Greystones House at Kingussie, near Aviemore. This part of the Cairngorms offers a range of locations, with particularly good access into The Northern Corries, which provide one of Scotland’s leading training areas, with many excellent routes. It is also a good base for access to Craig Meaghaidh, and Ben Nevis and Glencoe are within striking distance.
DATES:
Courses run every weekend December to April conditions permitting as weekends or 3 day courses Longer courses and other start days may be available for groups of 2 or more.
PRICE:
£190pp per weekend, on a non-residential basis.
£270 for 3 days: 1:4.
Prices include instruction, use of specialist gear, and loan of axe/crampons as required.
PAY FOR YOUR COURSE ONLINE HERE
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
A full equipment list will be supplied on booking, but we will supply ropes, and any technical gear required, though we encourage you to use your own equipment if you have it. Conditions in winter mountaineering can be extremely hostile, and you should be confident that your gear will protect you in severe conditions!
TRANSPORT:
The nearest station for the Lakes is Penrith, on the main London Euston – Glasgow line and a bus service goes from the station to Patterdale. Trains stop at Kingussie for Scottish courses (overnight sleeper also available from London) and lifts are available from the station to the guest house. You can also fly to Inverness and take a train to Kingussie or hire a car.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
HiGHPOiNT have been operating since 1988 and are fully insured, hold an AALA license and are members of the British Mountaineering Council and Institute for Outdoor Learning.
