WINTER CLIMBING
SCOTTISH WINTER CLIMBING
Winter Climbing & Mountaineering courses in Scottish Highlands
SCOTTISH WINTER CLIMBING
Climb some of the classic winter routes that Scotland has to offer, learn to lead your own routes independently, or try more technical winter climbs.
Winter Mountaineering
Scotland offers unique mountaineering adventures – from classic ridges such as the Aonach Eagach (II) and Tower Ridge (IV, 3).to gully climbs such as Number 2 Gully (II).
Learn to Lead
Independently lead your own winter climbs, getting on the ‘sharp end’, placing winter protection such as hexes, pitons and ice screws.
Winter Climbing
For those looking to push their winter climbing on more technical routes, with mixed routes such as Savage Slit (V, 6) in the Cairngorms, or ice routes such as Point Five Gully on Ben Nevis (V, 5).
DURATION
1, 2 or 5 day courses. 5 day courses we climb the best 4 out of 5 days
GROUP SIZE
1 instructor to 2 participants
COST £400 per day
DATE Feb-March
Experience required:
Winter hillwalking with crampons and ice axe, and some indoor or outdoor rock climbing experience.
What will I get from the
course?
Before the course, we will discuss what you want to get from the course, and come up with a plan that suits your aspirations and skill level. Whether you want to climb your first introductory routes, learn to lead your first winter climb, or climb grade V ice lines on the Ben, we will carefully craft the perfect course for you.
Where are we based?
Courses are run out of Aviemore and Fort William
When is the best time to go?
We run our February courses from Aviemore in the Cairngorms, when the mixed climbing is often in best condition – and then switch to Fort William on the West coast for late February/March, when the big ice lines are often best on Ben Nevis. Sometimes we drive further afield, for example Torridon or Lochnagar, and travelling to venues where the conditions are going to be best on the day is the secret to a successful Scottish winter.
Other information
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Fort William - www.limetreefortwilliam.co.uk/
Aviemore – lots of options, including Premier Inn and AirBnBs
We sometimes stay up to 2 nights at the CIC hut, below Ben Nevis North face – allowing unparalleled access to Ben Nevis. This will be arranged with the participant on a case by case basis.
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Vehicles: While transport is NOT provided as part of the course, lift sharing is encouraged to reduce pressure on local roads and carparks, and minimise carbon footprint.
There are train services to Fort William and Aviemore (including an overnight sleeper from Euston), although there are also flights to Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Hire cars are also available.
Sometimes, we use the gondola at Nevis Range Mountain Resort to access Aonoch Mor. The ticket incurs a small additional cost (approx £20 per person, paid direct on the day).
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Your instructor will meet you at 7pm at your accommodation the night before your course starts.
Each day we normally meet at 8.45 am and do a full day on the hill (around 6-8 hours).
Generally the final day is a shorter day to allow for return travel.
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Cunningham, A & Fyffe, A; Winter Skills: Essential Walking & Climbing Techniques. (Mountain Training UK) (3rd Edition), 2020.
British Mountaineering Council (BMC). ‘Winter Skills’ series – available at: https://www.thebmc.co.uk/watch-and-learn-new-winter-skills-video-series
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