Snow and Ice Climbing

Course Dates:

• Sunday, 24 February to Saturday 2 March 2013
• Sunday, 3 March to Saturday, 9 March 2013

Cost: £596 - BOOK NOW

Course summary:

The Cairngorms offer some of the best and most reliable conditions for winter climbing in the UK, regularly attracting climbers from across the globe. Conditions can on occasion be harsh and challenging, and you can rely on our staff to safely take you into this environment, and pass on to you the skills required to operate in these conditions. The Cairngorms boasts many fantastic winter climbs of all standards many of them located in the atmospheric Northern Corries.

There are of course also many beautiful days in the Cairngorms offering fantastic views and opportunities to snap that special photo and moments to savour.

Tollymore staff will give you an insight into the world of winter climbing, sharing their thoughts and decision making processes along the way.

Our winter courses are based in beautiful pine chalets only five minutes from the mountains.

This course will provide a comprehensive level of instruction in all the necessary areas, in order to develop a level of independence.

Areas generally covered include:

• Use of equipment specific to winter travel and climbing in the mountains
• Route choice and poor visibility navigation
• Moving over snow and ice in the mountains
• Use of crampons and ice axes
• Snow and ice self-arrest
• Avalanche awareness
• Constructing winter belays and pitched climbing
• Placing runners in winter
• Climbing graded winter routes

Who is this course for?

This course is for those who want to start winter snow and ice climbing. This five-day course introduces students to the navigation, ropework and risk assessment skills to climb safely on technical graded winter climbs.

Students will use ice axes and crampons to climb safely on some of the classic Scottish winter routes.

Emphasis will be placed on ropework, belays and gear placement, and snow condition analysis.

By the end of the week students should be moving independently on easier graded winter routes.

Outline programme:

What equipment do I need to bring?

The following list is a suggestion of what you should bring. Waterproofs, walking boots and rucksacks may be borrowed from our extensive stores. We advise you not to rush out and buy kit for the course, but use it as a chance to find out what would best suit your needs.

You should bring the following: walking boots (suitable for crampons), gaiters, waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, warm outdoor wear (fleece is ideal), warm hats, winter gloves and mitts, maps of Cairngorms, compass (Silva type 4 or similar), head torch (plus spare battery), snow/ski goggles, sunglasses, sunscreen, day rucksack, waterproof rucksack liner (bin liner is ideal), small first aid kit, water bottle, vacuum flask, personal medication, notebook and pen, camera and film. If you have technical equipment, please bring it along.

What does my course fee include?

A very good question! The price includes airport pick up and drop off (do not book flights until you contact us for best options), all instruction, accommodation (check www.lodgesatbadaguish.org out to see the lodges that we use), equipment, if required and catering. Tollymore has full public liability insurance, but personal accident cover is not included.

Please note students must make their own travel arrangements to and from Scotland.

Useful books and resources:

• Hillwalking by Steve Long (published by MLTUK)
• Rock Climbing, by Libby Peter (published by MLTUK)
• A Chance in a Million by Barton and Wright
• Scotlands Winter Mountains by Martin Moran