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Scottish Highlands, 2 Day Winter Summit Course
Ken, a MIC certified mountain guide, wants to help you learn the skills necessary for winter climbing in the Scottish Highlands on this 2-day course. Enjoy climbing peaks like Ben Nevis or Aonach Mor.
Description
Winter climbing in the Scottish Highlands is an amazing activity. There are a number of excellent routes and Munros you can choose from. However, because the weather conditions in the Highlands during the winter can be extreme, it is important to know how to climb properly and safely. And on this 2-day course, I will do my best to teach you as much as possible.
You will be climbing and learning for approximately 6-8 hours every day. The course will take place on different peaks in the Scottish Highlands, from Ben Nevis (1,345m) to Aonach Mor (1,221m), in the same kind of winter conditions you will learn how to climb in.
On the first day of the course, we will focus on kit checks, so you can get a feel of all the supplies needed for successful climbing. After that, we will go over some essential skills including step kicking and cutting, ice ax arrest, and how to properly walk in crampons.
On the second day of the course, we will continue to put everything you learned on the first day into practice, with an additional focus on navigation. You will learn how to properly use a map and compass, as well as pacing and timing, and various white-out techniques.
While you obviously cannot learn everything about winter climbing in just 2 days, I am confident, you will gain a great deal of knowledge that will aid you in future winter climbs in different mountain ranges. Furthermore, you will get to enjoy some great climbing in the wonderful peaks of the Scottish Highlands.
So send me a request, and let me guide you for 2 days of climbing that will be both educational and fun!
Please enquire about a 5-day version of this course as well.
Details
Accommodation There are many comfortable accommodation options near the climbing area that I would be happy to recommend to you. |
More info Participants should have the following items with them: socks, fleeces, thermal layers, synthetic belay jacket, walking trousers, warm hat and waterproof gloves, waterproof jacket and over trousers, rucsac, bivvy bag, gaiters or stop-tous, head torch, first aid kit, compass, flask, lunch or spare food, ski goggles, trekking poles (these are optional), and suitable boots. |
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About the guide
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.
What people are saying about Ken Applegate
Benjamin Hatfield
5.00
September 2020
Kathleen Walsh
5.00
July 2020
Fantastic climb of Tower Ridge under Ken\'s expert guidance. We felt safe, secure and confident every step of this breathtaking route. Ken\'s competence and knowledge left us in no doubt that we\'d be more than happy to choose him and West Coast Mountain Guides in the future. Thank you!
Laura June
5.00
March 2020
Will definitely use West Coast Mountain Guides again. Organising and booking was made easy with Kens help and guidance, offering us a few dates and responding quickly to emails. We had a great four days with two very accommodating and highly competent guides, Niels and Mike who made sure we got the most out of our trip for our skill level. Highly recommend.
Andy Paterson
5.00
June 2019
Ken immediately made us feel welcomed and we had a good chat on the walk in before gearing up for the ridge ascent. Both my son and I had a fantastic experience thanks to Ken\'s calm, expertise in leading us over Tower Ridge and then descending via Ledge Ridge to round off a great day. Highly recommended!
Nick Battams
5.00
February 2019
have just come back from completing an ascent of ledge route and a descent via no4 gully, guided by Ken. absolutely fantastic day and Ken was friendly, professional and very confidence inspiring. cant recommend highly enough and I\'ll definitely be back next season!
Phil Lloyd
5.00
October 2018
Ken took me and my son up the north face ledge route to the top of Ben Nevis. It was a challenge in places - particularly with the snow and ice - but it was an unforgettable experience! Ken was a great guide.
Catherine Hockley
5.00
September 2018
Ken was a fantastic guide, safe, experienced and took us on an incredible adventure!
Eva Kaeppel
5.00
September 2018
I made a booking request for a one-on-one guided trip less than a week before the date and was lucky enough to get a guide (Phil) without problem, who did a splendid job and made this a very enjoyable, instructive and safe first scramble for me. Communication was great before the event, too. I‘d recommend this company without hesitation and hope to hike with them again in the future.
Elizabeth Luchars
5.00
August 2018
Ken was a wonderful guide! He was thorough in assessing our experience and picked the right hike for us. He was full of knowledge and easy to talk to as well. We\'d definitely recommend him and hope to hike with him again ourselves.
H Shindle
5.00
August 2018
On short notice, while traveling through Scotland, we booked a Private Guide to Ben Nevis through Explore-Share.com. We much enjoyed the climb to the summit with our Guide Stuart Mapp; Stuart was the consummate professional and his concern for both our safety and this experience cannot be understated. His direct knowledge of Ben Nevis’s Route, History, Flora and Stories made this trip the highlight of our 17 days in Scotland and Ireland for us. Our success to the summit, and back down, was directly supported by Stuart and made it very much more enjoyable . Thank you again!
Claire Parsons
5.00
May 2018
I usually do these things with my Husband, but we currently live in Singapore and I’m back visiting family and didn’t want to miss out. I was doubly anxious because our usual guide was unavailable, but Ken quickly put me at ease. For me that’s about feeling like I have all the information I need, being reassured that I’m making good time and having a few scheduled breaks for snacks etc. We also had a good chat, which made the walk in fly by. A very enjoyable day, I felt safe and comfortable throughout. I hope to be back in the future for more adventures.
Alberto Canete
5.00
April 2018
It was a great experience. It fulfilled all my expectations to have a first approach to winter mountaineering. My guide was great teaching me all the basic stuff related to crampons, ice axe and winter hiking, plus he was a great coach supporting me to make it to the summit.
Noam Gati
5.00
February 2018
Hannah the guide was very professional. She came on time, she gave us the equipment and very good and clear instructions. I\'ll definitely recommend this trip. Thank you very much
Dave
5.00
January 2018
Been climbing for several years but had never used climbing axes so aim of this trip was to gain experience using two tools. The routes Ken chose were a perfect selection making the climb challenging and very enjoyable. Already looking at dates when more ice is present to climb with Ken again. Ken was great company, has a great knowledge of the highland area and is clearly a very skilled climber. Explore and Share made the whole process very simple and effortless, would highly recommend. Thank you. Dave
Michael Hellyer
5.00
March 2017
Private Guiding on the classic Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis North Face On two previous winter trips up Ben Nevis via the CMD route, I had marvelled at the majestic North Face and dreamt of fulfilling a route on it\'s flanks. This season, Ken helped me fulfil this dream by guiding me on the classic Tower Ridge (IV, 3). The whole experience was absolutely fantastic and Ken made sure to attend to every detail; from communications, equipment provision, weather and condition assessment and climbing advice on route. Ken\'s professionalism certainly enabled me to push my limits, as I felt completely safe within his guiding ability. I was fortunate to have moderate conditions on the day, and this enabled a fairly rapid and highly enjoyable ascent of the ridge in true Scottish conditions. I will definitely be back for more winter adventures
Prices per person
Group of 1 | GBP 485 each |
Group of 2 | GBP 265 each |
Group of 3 | GBP 190 each |
Group of 4 | GBP 155 each |
Want a different number of travellers?
Price includes
- Guiding fee
Price details
Along with the guiding fee, the price also includes the use of climbing equipment, but does not include accommodation, food, lifts, and personal supplies.
For booking assistance
Have any doubts? Talk directly with an Explore Share assistant.
The Concierge service is a great tool for when you still haven't decided what kind of Adventure you're looking for and you're open to suggestions
The guide I had on the day was Dave Fowler, not Ken