“If adventure has a final and all-embracing motive, it is surely this: we go out because it is our nature to go out, to climb mountains, and to paddle rivers, to fly to the planets and plunge into the depths of the oceans... When man ceases to do these things, he is no longer man”

Rusty Baille

This course is an opportunity to cover all the essential skills needed to operate safely in winter mountain conditions, based upon informed decisions. All the days are designed to be in the mountains travelling up to an altitude of between 650m – 1344m using real situations to demonstrate and learn the skills. The course however can be tailored to your requirements, so if there is a peak that you want to climb or an area that you want to get to know, then great, we will try and fit it in.

“In the mountains there are only two grades: You can either do it, or you can't”

Wilfrid Noyce

Day 1

‘Winterising’ your kit
Use of the boot for secure footwork
Appropriate use of an ice axe
Using an ice axe in an emergency
Efficient, safe movement with crampons

Day 2

Avalanche awareness
Looking at the snow pack and identifying important snow layers
Safe route choice through the mountains and on steeper slopes
Identifying snow hazards
Basic emergency rope work techniques

Day 3

Taking in a major peak
Route choice and planning
Winter navigation techniques

Taking a bearing
Walking on the bearing
White out techniques
Identifying mountain features
Use of timing and pacing
Emergency shelter building

Day 4

1st Client lead day:

Focusing around planning, travelling and navigating in the mountains
Consolidating and practicing the techniques learnt on the first 3 days
Taking in a major peak

Day 5

2nd client lead day:

Taking in a major peak
Revisiting and consolidating the skills previously learnt

OR

Day4-5

Pack bags and leave for an overnight snow hole expedition
Day 4 will be walking into the snow hole site whilst discussing the topic of snow holes with the potential for taking in a peak
Digging your home for the night
Day 5 will be an early start either taking in a peak or descending back to the car with the opportunity to re-visit any of the previous topics that have be introduced

We aim to cover the skills mentioned above and any other areas that are highlighted. But aspects of the course are subject to change, due to the variable weather and snow conditions in the Scottish mountains. However great effort will be taken to cover all aspects of the course as the opportunity arises.

Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.

Group Size	1	2	3	4+
Per Person	£999	£600	£450	£400
Per Group	£999	£1200	£1350

Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:

Kit List:

Walking Boots
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Spare clothing
Water
Hat
Gloves
Torch (preferably a headtorch)
Spare batteries for the above
Spare Gloves
Flask & Hot Drink

The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:

Snow Goggles
Gaiters

The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:

Ice Axe
Crampons

Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:

Summer Walks:

Walking shoes / Boots
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Spare clothing
Water
Hat
Gloves

Winter Walks:

Walking Boots
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Spare clothing
Water
Hat
Gloves
Torch (preferably a headtorch)
Spare batteries for the above
Spare Gloves
Flask & Hot Drink

The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:

Snow Goggles
Gaiters

The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:

Ice Axe
Crampons

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Questions:

1 Answer

What happens if there is no snow?

Posted by , Wednesday, 11 October 2017 on product 5 Day Scottish Winter Skills: Private Guiding

Question:

What happens if there is no snow?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Wednesday, 11 October 2017
If there is not enough snow to run the course you will be offered your choice of the following options:
- Another course or event on the same date
- Reschedule for another date
- A full refund
We will give as much notice as possible prior to the course but due to the uncertainties of mountain weather the amount of advanced warning may vary.

Once in a while we may need to change the location of the course entirely due to snow conditions, should this happen we will contact you prior to the course and make arrangements.

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1 Answer

Are dogs allowed on this course?

Posted by , Wednesday, 11 October 2017 on product 5 Day Scottish Winter Skills: Private Guiding

Question:

Are dogs allowed on this course?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Wednesday, 11 October 2017
Although dogs are permitted on this course we do advise against it.
- However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the day, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
- For large parts of the day participants will need both hands free and it can be impractical to have a dog with them.

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