Advanced winter climbing course in Scotland
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5 day advanced winter climbing course perfect to Improve your mountain skills. A certified instructor will help you upgrade your climbing skills!
Highlands
5 Days
Jan - Mar
Description
Join my advanced winter climbing course if you have previous experience in winter climbing and want to improve your technique!
In this performance 5 day course I will help you climb as many grade III to V routes as possible. Also, if you come in pairs I will coach you in leading through harder routes. All of which we'll be doing while enjoying the wonders of the Scottish highlands!
Throughout the advanced winter climbing course I will teach you to develop your climbing toolbox. I'll also instruct you on how to use your technical axes on steep mixed ground. In addition, I will show you how to be efficient and save energy on steeper ice. And you will also learn how to choose your gear appropriately, which can make a difference at this level.
After a short revision session and skill check I will guide you through the whole planning of a intermediate winter climbing day out. Also I will teach advanced ropework, building winter belays, safe retreats and avalanche awareness.
My advanced winter climbing course is also focused to climbing pairs. I can offer to mix great climbs with coaching of their own leading on harder routes. So remember that coaching leading is only open to pairs coming up together.
I have great experience climbing all around the world. And specially in the Highland area of Scotland, where I have even put up a couple of new routes. I know the area like the back of my hand. So I am waiting to guide you through some brilliant winter climbs grade II to V away from the usual honeypots.
Please contact me if you are looking to reach a higher level of mountain and ice climbing!
And remember that I also offer easier mountaineering trips such as Climbing in the Cuillin and a Mountaineering course.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Check and first climb
First, I will check your your climbing kits and do a essential skill revision. Then we’ll climb a grade III/IV mixed route.
Day 2: Ice axe technique
I’ll focus on your ice axe technique as we climb a grade IV ice or mixed route. Torquing and hooking on mixed terrain, efficient movement on steeper ice, as well as placing ice screws one-handed.
Day 3: Safe retreat and ice route
I’ll be teaching safe retreat from winter climbs. If we did a mixed route the day before, today will do an ice route or vice versa.
Day 4: Leading on grade III
You’ll be able to choose between a coached leading on grade III or seconding grade IV/V.
Day 5: Putting the new skills in practice
We’ll consolidate the leading skills from previous day or a harder seconding route such as Ben Nevis ice climb.
Details
More info
Level: Previous winter climbing experience, ideally to Grade III.
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.
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