Scottish Winter Mountaineering Course

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All Inclusive Scottish Courses

• Full instruction
• Comprehensive Insurance
• Fresh home cooked food - breakfast, dinner and packed lunch
• Luxury full board accommodation in Scotland's oldest inn on the banks of the river Tay
• Airport/ railway - collection/drop off
• All transportation during course  

Prices are per person. Group discounts available.

Scottish Winter Courses

• One day Winter Skills Course - £120 (does not include food or accommodation).
• Introductory Long Weekend - £350
• Introductory Winter Mountaineering - £500
• Snow and Ice Climbing - £750
• Performance Climbing - £750

Location

We 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.

Equipment

Upon 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 prices.

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 five 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.

One Day Winter Skills Course

Simply covering basic/first time winter skills which will cover contents of your rucksack, walking on snow, kicking steps, cutting steps, crampon technique, ice axe arrest, basic avalanche avoidance.

Introductory Long Weekend

An 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 Mountaineering

As 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 Climbing

For those with previous experience on winter climbs of Scottish Grade I/II, 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.

Performance Climbing

For climbers who have experienced Scottish winter climbing or technical mountaineering and want to progress to a personnel higher standard. You may want to develop technical knowledge to become a solid and efficient second, or experience what it takes to lead winter routes or gather enough knowledge and technical ability to tackle a specific future expedition. Different from our Snow and Ice climbing course, performance climbing will enable you to spend a week instructed on a 1:1 basis with only your aspirations in mind.

Private Guiding

We 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

• Long weekend: Kilimanjaro, Dhaulagiri Circuit Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Base Camp.
• Introductory Winter Mountaineering: Mera Peak, Island Peak.
• Performance Climbing: Baruntse, Ama Dablam

The Courses

One Day Winter Skills Course

This one day course is an early start and covers a very full day therefore you would be advised to arrange accommodation for the Friday night and Saturday night. The course covers basic/first time winter skills.

The course covers:

• Contents of your rucksack
• Walking on snow
• Kicking steps
• Cutting steps
• Crampon technique
• Ice axe arrest
• Basic avalanche avoidance

Introductory Long Weekend

This 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:

• Safety in the winter environment
• Basic navigation skills
• Appraisal of avalanche risk
• Refresher of existing personal skills (if appropriate)
• Ice axe arrest
• Use of crampons and ice axe on steep ground

Outline Programme

Introductory Winter Mountaineering

Sunday to Friday, 5 full days' instruction

Winter 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.

• Everest Base Camp
• Khumbu 3 Peak Challenge
• Mera and Island Peak
• Other Nepal trekking peaks.

Outline Programme

Snow and Ice Climbing

Sunday to Friday, 5 full days' instruction

The 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 I/II on a previous climbing course, or the equivalent. On this course you will climb Scottish grade II to IV 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 Trekking Encounters expeditions listed below.

• Ama Dablam
• Baruntse
• Cho Oyu

Outline Programme

Performance Climbing

Sunday to Friday, 5 full days' instruction

For climbers who have experienced Scottish winter climbing or technical mountaineering and want to progress to a personnel higher standard. You may want to develop technical knowledge to become a solid and efficient second, or experience what it takes to lead winter routes or gather enough knowledge and technical ability to tackle a specific future expedition. Different from our Snow and Ice climbing course, performance climbing will enable you to spend a week instructed on a 1:1 basis with only your aspirations in mind.

This programme is put together between the instructor and yourself.
  

Private Guiding and instruction - extending your course

Alternatively, 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 (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner - dinner includes starter and main course), 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
2 £150
3 £125

Accommodation

You 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 - dinner includes starter and main course) 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 on a bed and breakfast basis at a cost per night of £45 (Mon-Thu) or £65 (Fri-Sun)

Travel arrangements

Course 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.

Equipment

A 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 Performance 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.

Equipment Loan

The 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.

Equipment Hire Charges

Fitness

Before 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.

Insurance

We advise all clients to have suitable insurance for the courses which also includes cancellation and curtailment cover.

Important Information
Trekking Encounters recognises that climbing, mountaineering and hill walking are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions.

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.

If due to adverse weather conditions your training has to be terminated after the start date for example, during the training, the Company has no obligation to refund any monies paid to the Company, but the Company will endeavour to offer alternative arrangements.

Evening programme

Each course has an evening programme which includes essential skills such as navigation, hypothermia/cold injury, snow pack formation and avalanche avoidance.

Bookings and payments 

If 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). 

An Adventure Day out with Instructor/Guide

1 Day: From £160.00 per person, for two persons day costs £200.00 (£100.00 per person),  three persons costs £250.00 (£83.00 per person) and four persons £280.00 (£70.00 per person).

This Adventure Day will be different and is designed to cover a variety of activities. Emphasis is on having FUN.

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