Winter is just around the corner and the perfect time to start planning how you would like to make the most of it. Below you will find a brief overview of what is on offer this winter 2019/2020. From essential winter skills and mountaineering skills to technical snow, ice and mixed climbing there should be something for every level. Being based in the Central Highlands I have access to all of the popular winter venues: Cairngorm, Creag Meagaidh, Ben Nevis, Aonach Mor, Glencoe, Torridon and beyond which enables flexibility to optimise on the conditions and weather. If you are interested in finding out more or want to chat through some ideas, please contact me on 07814093696, e-mail loureynolds@live.co.uk or on facebook @loureynoldsmountaineering.
Winter Skills
Winter Skills Course 1 - 4 Days
Are you a keen summer hill walker? Looking to venture out in the winter?
These courses cover all of the essential winter skills to empower you to plan your own winter adventures. Perhaps you have already done a winter skills course before but want to brush up on a few key areas or you have been winter walking for years but feel some imput would allow you to go further more safely, this could be the course type for you.
- What kit to carry
- Weather forecast and avalanche forecast understanding
- How to use Ice axe and Crampons
- Self Arrest and Ice axe arrest ( conditions dependant)
- Navigation
- Avalanche and snow condition awareness and understanding
- Route planning
- What to do in an Emergency
- Emergency shelters ( 3/4 Day courses only)
A one or two day course will cover all of these aspects (apart from emergency shelters). A three or four day course will go into more detail, enabling more practise time and self sufficiency as well as a chance to dig some emergency shelters which is always good fun.
Prerequisits
Summer Hill walking
Winter Navigation Course 1 - 2 Days
Wanting to get out on the poor weather days? Scared of getting caught out in the dark? Finding the difference between winter and summer navigation a struggle? Perhaps a one or two day navigation course is what you are looking for.
- The Basics
- Navigation Tools
- Poor weather/ night navigation
- Strategy
- Planning
- Weather and Avalanche awareness
Prerequisits
Winter hillwalking and winter skills. This is not a winter skills course so you need to know how to safely and competently move around in the mountains in winter.
Winter Mountaineering
Winter Mountaineering Skills 2 - 4 Days
Are you looking to advance your winter skills and learn some rope work or get to those more exciting routes you have been reading about? This could be the course for you.
We will look at advancing your winter skills, looking at movement on steep ground, brushing up on navigation as well as weather and avalanche awareness. Following on from this we will bring in the new dimension of using a rope in winter getting some basic techniques for creating snow and rock anchors in the winter environment and how to use them safely. You will be getting hands on with he rope so it is best to book as a mountaineering pair or more, so you can practise these skills with a partner.
- Advanced winter skills
- Movement on steeper terrain, snow, ice and rock
- Navigation
- Avalanche awareness
- Route planning and guidebook interpretation
- Using the rope on snow and rocky terrain
- Ascent of a peak or classic mountaineering route. (Course length and weather/ conditions dependant).
Prerequisits
Recent winter walking and winter skills experience. Comfortable winter walking without an Instructor.
Guided Winter Mountaineering Classics 1- 4 Days
Perhaps you have been dreaming of doing the Aonach Eagach Traverse in winter, or want to climb Ben Nevis by a route on the North Face, this is the course for you. An opportunity to experience Scottish winter mountaineering with the safety of a guide. Taking you to your dream locations and routes. You can book 1:1 for my undivided attention or bring a friend along to share the experience with you. These courses are best based in the West or North West of Scotland where there are unlimited choices of classic ridges and easy climbs to get stuck into.
Winter Climbing
Introduction to Winter climbing 1 - 4 Days
Looking to transfer your summer rock climbing to winter? Already a keen winter mountaineer but want to take your skills and rope work further? Been winter walking before and just looking to experience winter climbing?
This course is all about experiencing Scottish winter climbing, getting to grips with the equipment, conditions, weather, rope work and learning how to move.
- Climb a winter route
- Learn movement techniques on snow, ice and mixed terrain
- Rope management and stance management techniques
- How to competently second climbs in winter
- Looking after your kit
- Managing yourself in the winter environment
- Techniques for decending
- Navigation
- Avalanche awareness
Prerequisits
Recent winter walking and winter skills experience
Introduction to Lead Climbing 2 - 4 Days
Learning to lead climb in winter is not to be taken lightly, once on the 'sharp' end, your decisions matter and keeping a cool head is important. This course is for people who can already second winter climbs and perhaps have some mountaineering experience, who would like to take the first steps to leading a winter climb with the comfort of expert instruction close by to help make good safe decisions and learn to lead winter climbs.
- Learn winter gear placements in snow, ice and rock
- Movement on Snow, Ice and Rock
- Rope management
- Creating safe belays
- Belaying a second
- Problem solving
- Decent techniques
- Avalanche awareness
- Route choice and route finding
Prerequisits
Experience of Seconding winter climbs of grade 3 or above. Comfortable on grade 1 and 2 terrain. Summer rock climbing experience desirable. On this course directly leading does not always happen due to conditions or if I don't feel the client is quite ready yet, but we will still learn all the skills to get you as close to leading as possible.
Guided Winter Climbing Classics 1 - 4 Days
Whether you want to experience winter climbing for the first time or want to tick off some classic Ice Route on Ben Nevis, this course can be a chance to experience Scottish winter climbing in any location across Scotland. Examples of good choices for the time of year are below.
- January - Cairngorms mixed classics
- February - Glencoe and Lochaber Classics
- March - Ben Nevis Ice (conditions dependant)
Private Guiding
All of my courses are privately booked so if you want to share the cost it is best to invite a friend or two along with you. However if you would like to book a course or arrange some climbing or walking outside of my suggestions above then please contact me to arrange something bespoke for you. The beauty of being a small business is I operate on a personal level taking you right from the booking stage to being on the hill so I can ask the right questions and hopefully forefill your dreams.
To find out more contact me on: 07814093696 or email loureynolds@live.co.uk
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