WINTER MOUNTAINEERING ITINERARY

Below is given an outline of how a winter mountaineering week may progress. Please note that this is for guidance only, and that variations may well occur due to weather and snow conditions etc. MONDAY. After meeting other group members and a discussion on the itinerary for the week, we will start with a review of navigation techniques. These will take place in the hills nearby and will allow us plenty of time to learn and practice skills such as timing, pacing, walking on bearings in winter conditions, and many others. When this session has finished, we will spend time looking at technical equipment, discussing the merits of a variety of examples, and relate it to winter mountaineering in general. We will also be having a crampon fitting session. TUESDAY. This day covers the skills of axe and crampon use on steep ground. We will be working in an area such as the Northern Corries of Cairngorm, where we will practice self arrest skills and cramponning, and introduce the various methods of belaying and safegarding progress on steep ground with a variety of snow anchors. An introduction to the elements of avalanche awareness will also be covered. WEDNESDAY. Following on from yesterday's snow anchors, this day will look at the possibilities given by using rock anchors for both gully and ridge climbing. A variety of systems will be used, and we will also be looking at safe abseil retreat from routes. The venue for this may be either on Cairngorm or Ben Rinnes. THURSDAY. After a session digging and trying a variety of snow shelters, we will be using the skills from the previous days on steeper ground, both in ascent and descent. You will be encouraged to take the initiative, putting in to practice methods and techniques recently learned. FRIDAY. Another day consolidating skills. This day should include all elements of the week, including route choice (planned the previous evening), use of the guide book, climbing the route safely, and navigating down again from the plateau. The venue for this may be in the Northern Corries of Cairngorm, we may drop over the back to the superb Loch A'an Basin, or even make the trip across to Lochnagar on the Balmoral estate on Deeside. After a group and, if you wish, individual debrief, the evening turns in to a social event for those staying on! BACK TO WINTER SKILLS COURSES