Scotland Winter Skills & Ben Nevis Weekend

Scotland Winter Skills & Ben Nevis Weekend

Learn the skills of hiking in the snowy Scottish hills, use of a walking ice axe and the correct use of crampons, then use these skills for a guided ascent of Ben Nevis. A superb winter outing!

• Numbers will be limited to 12 persons and there will be 2 instructors for the 3 days.
• Participants will need to be confident and competent summer hillwalkers and be comfortable on steep ground with a bit of exposure.
• No previous winter hiking experience is required but note you will need to be a competent hill walker with a good level of fitness to complete this course.
• Hire of winter boots, crampons and ice axe available, no need to purchase your own.

The weather often has the final say in the mountains, particularly in Scotland in the winter. If we cannot achieve our goals due to the weather we will strive to give you the best alternative days possible.

The cost of the weekend is ?580 per person and will include 4 nights accommodation, ( Fri-Mon), transport from Glasgow and instructor/guide fees. It will not include return flights to Glasgow, which you must book yourself (we will tell you when to do this), any equipment hire, or food/drink.

If you are interested in getting some winter skills under your belt whilst having great craic and summiting the highest peak in Britain in its full winter coat, then this is for you.

Day 1: Introduction

Fly to Glasgow, drive in hire cars to Fort William, (shared accommodation in self catering apartments). Kit check and boot fitting session, introduction talk from instructors Richard Pyne & Russ Mills.

Day 2: Winter Skills

Skills day, we will head to either Aonach More (gondola fee of approx. 25GBP applies) or the Glencoe area to spend a day getting skilled up on the use of a walking axe and crampons, ice axe arrest, how to walk in crampons, movement skills, self belay etc.. (we will not be using ropes at any stage over the weekend so this will not be taught).

Day 3: Ben Nevis

A winter ascent of Ben Nevis. It will be a long and quite arduous day and will require good fitness levels.

Day 4: Glen Coe/Mamores

Winter hiking in Glen Coe or the Mamores, (or a reserve day for Ben Nevis if it is not possible on previous day).

There is also the option of a shorter, lower level hike today.

Day 5: Return home

A bit of sightseeing/shopping before our return to Glasgow for the flight home.

What to bring

• Winter hiking clothing will be essential
• Winter gloves, goggles and waterproof pants
• Winter waterproof jacket and trousers
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Water or juice drink, (1.5 litres)
• Small rucksack to carry all in
• Walking poles are optional
• Ice axe, crampons and suitable winter boots will be available to hire from us, or you can use your own if you have them (subject to instructors approval). A full kit list will be sent nearer the time !

What’s included

• Return transport from Glasgow to Inchree included.
• Transport / flights to and from Glasgow NOT included
• 2 days hiking in winter conditions with two professional mountain leaders with first aid certification and full insurance plus 1 day winter skills training.
• Accommodation

-This event is graded as ‘strenuous’ and is not suitable for beginners.

Equipment

• A full kit list will be sent well in advance of the course date.