Introductory winter climbing course in Scotland

Learn and develop your climbing skills in this 5-day winter climbing course in Scotland, alongside a certified guide.

5 Days

Jan - Mar, Dec

Description

Come and join me in this introductory winter climbing course in Scotland! I’ll guide you and give you instructions on using two climbing axes, moving on steep ground, placing ropework and building belays. And there’s so much more to learn and practise during this 5-day course!

We will revise the core skills that you need to face the challenges of winter climbing. And, most important, in this winter climbing course in Scotland we’ll put them in action! We’ll focus on climbing snowed up rock, some of the typical gullies of Scotland, and ice and mixed climbs. Also, you’ll learn about arranging suitable protection, route finding, variable conditions and exposure.

The course will be delivered in a progressive way according to your needs and aspirations so I’ll tailor the routes climbed to your requirements. We usually climb around Ben Nevis, Aonach Mor and Glencoe. Also, if conditions and experience are appropriate, you may even have the chance to lead your first winter pitch.

This introductory winter climbing course in Scotland is an intermediate level course, but also suitable for winter climbers looking to improve their lead climbing skills.

During these 5 days, the following skills will be covered:

Navigation in winter
Ropework
Planning a climbing day out
Gear and equipment
Use of crampons and two technical ice axes
Building winter belays
Movement on steep ground
Safe route choice and avalanche awareness

So if you want to be ready for all the challenges of winter climbing, join this course! Get in touch with me and let's start planning! If you already have rock climbing, simple rope work and abseiling experience, you could check my Cuillin ridge climbing traverse.

Price includes

Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Essential skills revision

We’ll do kit checks and essential skills revision: snow and ice axe belays. Also ‘Moving together’ roped on grade I/II ground.

Day 2: Belays

Simple gully or ridge. Basic winter belays. Introduction to rock/ice peg belays.

Day 3: Climbing techniques

Steeper ice climb (II/III), introducing two more advanced climbing tools techniques.

Day 4: Leading a route

Today you’ll lead a route, under my supervision. We’ll look at abseil techniques for safe retreat.

Day 5: Leading or seconding

You’ll choose, either further leading on a grade II or seconding a grade III+ climb.

Details

More info

Individuals or couples are welcome. No minimum numbers. Prices include guiding and instruction and the use of a harness and helmet.

Equipment:

-Socks. A medium to thick pair of synthetic or wool/synthetic blend socks. -Thermal/Base Layers. A couple of thermal layers are useful, along with thermal leggings. -Fleeces. At least one fleece layer for your upper body. Having an extra fleece top or synthetic layer in a waterproof liner at the bottom of your rucksack is essential. -Walking trousers -Warm Hat & Waterproof Gloves -Waterproof jacket and over trousers ( Outer shell clothing) -The trousers should have at least a knee length zip enabling them to be fitted over boots/crampons. -Rucsac. A medium volume sac (35-50 litres) is best for winter climbing, with ice axe carrying loops. -Bivvy Bag -Gaiters or Stop-tous -Head Torch -First Aid kit -Compass/Map -Whistle/Watch Flask -Lunch & Spare Food -Boots. For climbing courses, stiff, crampon compatible boots are required. They should have a stiffness rating of B2 minimum and ideally B3. -Crampons. They should have 12 or 14 points and be compatible with your boots. -Ice Axe -For winter climbing, two technical climbing axes (40-50cm) are required. -Helmet. Please bring one along if you can. We have DMM helmets available. -Harness. Make sure it can be put on over boots and crampons. -Belay device, two HMS Carabiners and one 120cm sling. We can provide you with these if you don’t have your own.

Meeting point

About the guide

Ken

5.0

(19)

Mountain Leader

I gained a good insight into the instruction and guiding of mountaineering activities whilst working as a member of the domestic team at Glenmore Lodge in the summer of 2003. Since then, I have skied, climbed, trekked and mountaineered across the length and breadth of the UK, from Cornwall to the Orkney Isles, and overseas, having sought adventures in China, Mongolia, The Indian Himalayas, New Zealand, Japan, Southern Africa, The Swiss, Italian and French Alps, The Pyrenees, Southern Spain and Norway. I enjoy climbing in all it’s forms, whether it be bouldering at Fontainebleau, sport climbing at Rodellar, trad and winter climbing in the UK or alpine climbing in Switzerland. I have also put up a couple of new routes, Mint Sauce E1 5c in Glen Nevis and Feathered Friend V,5 on Creag Meagaidh.
I have completed my Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (MIC), the highest instructional qualification in the UK, which enable me to work both in summer and winter conditions, whether it’s walking, mountaineering or climbing, and is a full member of both the Association or Mountaineering Instructors, and The Mountain Instructor’s Community. I have also completed my International Mountain Leader Summer Training and have worked as a contracted instructor for Abacus Mountain Guides, Martin Moran, Glenmore Lodge, Mountain Motion, West Coast Mountain Guides, Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre, Adventure Peaks, The Outward Bound Trust, Ryan Glass Mountaineering, Hike Pyrenees, World Challenge Expeditions and Outlook Expeditions.

Languages

English

Certificates

AMI MIC

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What people are saying about Explore-Share

Man

Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!

Maxine

Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.

Valeriya

You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.

Joshua

We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.

Cami

Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.

4.8