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Scottish Winter Mountaineering Courses |
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Scottish Winter Courses
Course Price
LocationWe are strategically based near Perth in the Scottish Highlands, which is one of the best locations in Scotland to access a variety of climbing and mountaineering venues, depending on the weather and snow and ice conditions. The mountains of Ben Nevis, the Mamores, Aonach Mor, Cairngorms and Glencoe are all within striking distance of our hotel base. Mountaineering conditions can be unpredictable in Scotland, but we make sure that you are able to make the most of the weather and snow, due to the impressive variety of mountains on our doorstep. EquipmentUpon booking, you will receive Joining Instructions, which include a detailed equipment list. The loan of ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet is included in our course price. Why Scotland?Scotland has long been a training ground for climbers preparing for the Alps and mountaineering in the world's greater ranges. The unique combination of weather and terrain makes for an unparalleled, challenging mountain experience. Our Scottish Winter Courses are designed to provide you with the skills to venture into the mountains with confidence on your own, tackle a more challenging climbing course, or join an expedition or tough trek. The programme covers a wide range of instruction, from introductory winter walking to high standard snow, ice and mixed climbing.
Trekking Encounters course participants are eligible for a 15% discount at our online shopping site gear4climb – visit http://www.gear4climb.co.uk/. We have a choice of four courses, depending on your level of experience and aspirations. It is important that you choose the right course to get the most out of your Scottish experience. You are welcome to telephone us to discuss this and your future ambitions. Introductory Long WeekendAn introduction to the basics of mountaineering. navigation and route finding, avalanche awareness, ice axe and crampon techniques and suitable clothing and equipment are covered over three intensive days. The course is suitable for those joining a tough overseas trek, which might include crossing a glaciated pass, or a straightforward mountain. Introductory Winter MountaineeringAs with the Introductory Long Weekend, we teach navigation and route finding, avalanche awareness, ice axe and crampon techniques and suitable clothing and equipment. The course also introduces you to rope skills and snow, ice and rock anchors. We consolidate the training with ascents of some classic Scottish peaks, by some more interesting mountaineering routes. This course is perfect for those considering mountaineering in the Alps, or joining an introductory level expedition, such as Mera Peak, Island Peak or other Trekking Peaks in Nepal. Snow and Ice ClimbingFor those with previous experience on winter climbs of Scottish Grade II/III, we offer a week of high standard snow, ice and mixed climbing. The course is instructed at a 1:2 ratio all week, so, paired with some of our most talented Instructors and Guides, we can climb some of Scotland’s most famous routes. Private GuidingWe offer private guiding on a 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 basis. You can add on additional days following a course, if, for example, you wish to target a specific route. Or you may want to work on skills specific to an expedition objective (for example, fixed rope practice). Which Course? Training Suggestions
The CoursesIntroductory Long WeekendThis course is designed for those with no previous experience of winter mountaineering or for those who want a refresher in the skills needed to walk or climb safely in Scotland in winter. The course is also excellent technical preparation for participation in overseas expeditions graded I and II such as those listed below. The Instructors’ aim is to introduce you to a variety of mountain areas in order to learn and practice a range of winter skills. These include: movement on snow and ice with axe and crampons, using the rope to safeguard the party on steep ground, the choice and construction of snow and rock anchors. The emphasis is on a progression of winter skills, so that you are able to tackle the Scottish Winter Mountains with increasing competence and confidence. The course concentrates on general mountaineering days, such as walking in the Mamores or bagging the winter Munro’s, such as Buchaille Etive Mor (Stob Dearg), Bidean nam Bean or Ben Nevis. A priority to all groups is safety, whether through the teaching of navigation skills, avalanche assessment or the placement of belays. At the end of the weekend, you should have the confidence and the skills necessary to venture in to the Scottish Winter Mountains independently. The course covers:
Outline Programme
Introductory Winter MountaineeringSunday to Friday, 5 full days' instructionWinter Mountaineering is the first choice for those who aspire to climb graded Scottish Winter routes. You may have done an introductory style course before or already have some winter experience. The course begins with some general mountaineering on days one and two, with the focus changing on day three to climbing routes of grade I, II and III. The instruction focuses on the use of ropes and establishing safe belays to allow participants to do their own climbing in the future. The course also provides excellent technical preparation for Trekking Encounters expeditions and treks.
Outline Programme
Equipment LoanThe course price includes use of crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness if booked in advance. A comprehensive equipment list is included in the course Joining Instructions, which you receive upon booking. Snow and Ice ClimbingSunday to Friday, 5 full days' instructionThe Snow and Ice Climbing course is for those with previous winter climbing experience who would like to improve their skills, learn new techniques and tackle harder routes. Participants on this course should have: Completed climbs of Scottish grade II/ III on a previous climbing course, or the equivalent. On this course you will climb Scottish grade III to V routes. Please note that climbs tackled include a mix of ‘snow and ice’ and ‘mixed’ or ‘buttress’ routes. We are in easy reach of all the major Scottish winter climbing venues, such as Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Aonach Mor, Aonach Beag and Creag Meagaidh. Snow and Ice Climbing provides excellent technical preparation for any of the Trekking Encounters expeditions listed below.
Outline Programme
Private Guiding and instruction - extending your courseAlternatively, if you are planning to join one of our courses, you may wish to take advantage of what you have already learnt in Scotland with a day or two of Private Guiding at the end of your course. Where possible, Private Guiding is with an instructor who taught you during the previous week. Obviously, here is plenty of opportunity to discuss with your instructor how to gain maximum benefit and enjoyment from your Private Guiding days. This ensures that the additional days get off to a good start, as your instructor already knows at what level to pitch the climbing and instruction. Consequently, guiding days following a course offer an excellent chance to consolidate and extend what has been learnt already, under the personal supervision of a qualified Instructor. What is achieved during Private Guiding and the pace at which it is undertaken is very much between yourself and your guide. The costs for additional days - Private Guiding are as follows:Costs include accommodation at a local hotel on a full board basis, based on twin sharing, as well as the instructor fees and transport whilst completing your Private Guiding. We are also able to provide Private Guiding for individual climbers or groups. Whether for one day, a weekend or for an entire week, a suitable programme can be arranged by the Course Director in consultation with you in order to meet your requirements as fully as possible. Our instructional staff can provide any level of climbing and winter mountaineering. Whether you want to review your winter navigation skills, so that you can safely tackle Scottish winter walking independently, or you want to sample the extremes of climbing harder winter routes, we can arrange a specific programme for you. Number of climbers cost per day:1 £250 AccommodationYou are accommodated in a local hotel that has everything you need to relax after an energetic day on the hill. Our prices include full-board (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner) accommodation at the hotel on a twin-sharing basis. The single-room supplement is £25 per night (subject to availability). Additional nights can be booked at a cost per night of £45 (Mon-Thu) or £65 (Fri-Sun). The nearest large town is Perth which is well served with a post office, garages and major supermarkets. All leading banks and cash machines are situated throughout Perth town centre. Travel arrangementsCourse members should make their own travel arrangements to Scotland. A regular coach service operates from Glasgow and Edinburgh, although we do offer a pickup and drop off service for those customers arriving at Glasgow or Edinburgh airport. Both Glasgow and Edinburgh can be reached by Air and Train. Taxis and car hire are available locally. Full travel instructions, are included in the course Joining Instructions, which you receive upon booking. EquipmentA detailed equipment list is sent to you with your Booking Confirmation. Trekking Encounters will provide all communal climbing equipment (ropes and hardware) for each course. We also provide crampons, ice axe, helmet and harness, free of charge on all courses. However, so that we can allocate our equipment prior to your arrival, please let us know on the form provided. For all courses you need to provide your own clothing and some items of personal equipment, including boots. You will require‘B2’ rated boots, suitable for the Introductory Winter Mountaineering and Introductory Long Weekend. For the Snow and Ice Climbing course, you must have a fully stiffened boot rated 'B3' (for example, the La Sportiva Nepal Evo or Extreme. Trekking Encounters has special arrangements with gear4climb, who can offer course members a discount of 15% on all full price equipment and clothing purchased before the course starts. Details of how to take advantage of this arrangement are contained within the course Joining Instructions. FitnessBefore attending a Scottish Winter Course, you should ensure that you are fit enough to take part in the full programme. Winter mountaineering and climbing is extremely arduous, even under mild conditions. The fitter you are, the more you will benefit from the course. Each day, you can expect to be in the mountains, carrying a rucksack of 10Kgs, for at least seven hours, during which time you may walk 10 miles and climb 1000m of cumulative ascent. You need to consider the effect of doing this on cumulative days. If you do not have any mountains on your doorstep by which to gauge your fitness, then we would recommend regular running, swimming, walking or cycling in preparation for your course. As a general guide, you should aim to build up to doing two or three sessions of aerobic exercise during the week, with at least one tougher session each week, at the weekend. The duration of each session will depend on the type of activity you are doing and your proficiency in it. If running, for example, you would aim to run for 30-40 minutes during the week, with a longer 1 hour + run at the weekend, as a minimum. If cycling, 1.5 hour rides during the week, with a longer ride at the weekend, would be appropriate for building the level of stamina required for tough days out in the Scottish hills. InsuranceWe advise all clients to have suitable insurance for the courses which also includes cancellation and curtailment cover. Important Information All efforts are made to ensure that the dates reserved for the Scottish Winter Courses are met but in some instances due to circumstances beyond our control i.e. adverse weather conditions these dates may have to be postponed or even cancelled. It is therefore your responsibility when booking any transport or accommodation you ensure that the reservations can be either rescheduled or refunded as we cannot accept liability for any penalties. Evening programmeEach course has an evening programme which includes essential skills such as navigation, hypothermia/cold injury, snow pack formation and avalanche avoidance. Bookings and paymentsIf you would like to join one of our Scottish Winter Courses, please read the Booking Conditions carefully and complete, sign and date the Course Booking Form. To secure your place, please return the completed form to us with a deposit of £75 (non-refundable). We will then send you confirmation of your place, Joining Instructions (including an equipment list and travel information) and an invoice showing the final balance payable and the date by which it should be paid (no less than 30 days before the start of your course, please).
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