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Winter Courses 2012

Based in the Cairngorms, our courses will guide and instruct you in the essential technical skills for basic winter mountaineering, covering ~   Snowcraft. Use of ice axe and crampons. Movement on steep ground and ropework techniques. Winter navigation. Weather. Avalanche assessment. 

Course Dates

 Weekends The 3 day weekend courses will start on Thursday night and finish on Sunday afternoon

 February 2nd to 5th

February 16th to 19th

 March 8th to 11th

Midweek The 4 day midweek courses will start on Sunday evening and finish on Thursday Afternoon 

February 5th to 9th

Feburary 19th to 23rd

The courses are designed for the summer walker/climber who wants to extend their season and sample the delights of some Scottish winter conditions or the winter walker/climber who wants to improve their winter skills.Last year we had some great days with so much unconsolidated snow that snowshoeing was the only way to travel.The 4 day programme will have the two options for the second day as individual days. Some of the programme is dependent on ground and weather conditions, to take best advantage of the prevailing conditions the programme may vary. The maximum student to instructor ratio will be 4:1 (2:1 on the climbing days) The staff will be suitably qualified for the activity they instruct (MIC for the climbing and Winter ML for the winter mountaineering skills)

Proposed programme:              

  Day of arrival, meet at 19.00 to discuss , kit, programme and basic snow skills

Day 1       Movement on steep ground. Ropework.

Evening   Talk on weather /avalanche assessment  

Day 2     Full mountain day,  Gully Climb and navigation

OR          Climb, Avalanche Assessment, Snow Shelters , Intermediate  ropework 

 Day 3   Short Climbing day, or winter walking day, Snow skills improvement  (You decide ) 

                                        We have still held Last Years Prices

Costs ~3 day (weekend) courses ~ £195.00     

4 day (midweek) courses ~ £255.00 

Costs do not include food, transport and accommodation. Transport and self catering accommodation can be provided at cost if needed

2010 wasa great year, it started with a fantastic winter and is ending with an early alpine winter

This is how winter should be ~ Kinder 29th December 09

Is this Scotland? A steep gully exit and a windy plateau, NO, this is Kinder on  13th Jan. 2010

A glorious rarity ~ Kinder Downfall 13th January 2010

Gressoney 2010

We went to Gressoney in northern Italy, 7 days ice climbing and skiing, the conditions were better than last years.

     Rick leading, 2nd Pitch Cascata di Biel               Rick leading, 2nd pitch Casscatta di Loo 

Peter leading the 2nd pitch of di Loo              Dave on the last pitch of Casscatta Val Dobbia

When we got back from Italy there was just enough time to wash the kit and go to the Cairngorms with the High Peak Club (Sheffield University) for a winter skills weekend 

Ice axe braking                                                 A cool bucket seat

Because the A9 was closed we used Kinder for the next Sheffield University Winter Skills weekend.

Crowden Brook ~ 27th and 28th February 2010

The Summit Party                                                The final pitch to the summit

Forget Scotland, these conditions are Alpine

Nether Red Brook, Northen Edges of Kinder 4th March 2010

Kayaking on the sea around Anglsey                          Climbing at Millstone

3 days multi activities with Millbrook School  in Pembroke

We've been kayaking on the River Derwent and had a bit more of a relaxed canoe trip on the river Wye

2 Day Teambuilding with OSC (Mountain Equipment, Ron Hill, Sprayway)

Winter is here again ~ Snowshoeing on Axe Edge moor 30th November 2010.

 With this much powder you'd need snowshoes the size of wheelie bins to stay on the surface

A small Alpine like ridge on the walk in and good ice to finish on, Crowden Brook 4th Dec 2010

On the walk in we had a queue at the Crowden Brook Icefall, walked across the plateau to the River Kinder

and finished off with a couple of climbs on the Downfall.  ALL THIS BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Dave and Rick leading the 1st pitch.

For more "Latest Adventures" go the our Facebook page via our home page