Introductory Winter Mountaineering

Duration 6 Days » Grade Introductory

Sunday to Friday, 5 full days instruction

Introductory Winter Mountaineering (www2), 54 kb

Introductory Winter Mountaineering Photo: © Cubby Images

This course is designed for those with no previous experience of winter mountaineering or for those who want a refresher in the skills needed to walk or climb safely in Scotland in winter. The course is also excellent technical preparation for participation in overseas expeditions graded 1 and 2, such as Mera Peak and Aconcagua.

The instructors' aim is to introduce you to a variety of mountain areas in order to learn and practice a range of winter skills. These include: movement on snow and ice with axe and crampons, using the rope to safeguard the party on steep ground, the choice and construction of snow and rock anchors. The emphasis is on a progression of winter skills so that you are able to tackle the Scottish Winter Mountains with increasing competence and confidence. The course concentrates on general mountaineering days, such as walking the ridges in the Mamores or bagging the winter Munros, such as Buchaille Etive Mor (Stob Dearg), Bidean nam Bean or Ben Nevis.

A theme common to all groups is safety, whether through the teaching of navigation skills, avalanche assessment or the placement of belays. At the end of the week, you should have the confidence and the skills necessary to venture in to the Scottish Winter Mountains independently.

The course covers

Safety in the winter environment
Basic navigation skills
Appraisal of avalanche risk
Refresher of existing personal skills (if appropriate)
Ice axe arrest
Use of crampons and ice axe on steep ground
Basic rope work, including belaying
The construction and use of snow anchors
Emergency snow shelters

Outline Programme

Day 1:	The course begins at 6 p.m. on Sunday evening with the Course Briefing. The briefing covers essential information for the week ahead. We will discuss equipment for the following day and issue hire kit. After dinner there will be a short presentation on winter clothing and cold injury.
Day 2:	This is an introductory day concentrating on the use of crampons and ice axe on steep ground. We also include practice of arresting slips and falls. During the day we will look at the practical assessment of avalanche risk.
Day 3-6:	Mountaineering Days. Throughout this part of the course, there is the chance to undertake mountain journeys, where the emphasis is on safety, navigation, mountain weather, essential snow-craft and general mountaineering skills taught on Day 1. These days are tailored to suit the abilities of the group along with your aspirations. The venues chosen by the staff always take account of the prevailing weather and snow conditions.

Typical ascents of peaks on the Introductory Mountaineering Courses in previous years have been:

Ben Nevis: Number 4 Gully or, The Carn Mor Dearg Arete
Stob Coire Nan Lochan via The Zig Zags , or Broad Gully
Bidean Nam Bian
Many of the Munroes of the Mamores and the Aonachs

Equipment Loan

The course price includes use of Crampons, Ice axe, Helmet and Harness if booked in advance. A comprehensive equipment list is included in the course Joining Instructions, which you receive upon booking.

Course Directors and Ratios

Find out more about our Course Directors, Student to Instructor Ratios and Inclusions and Exclusions... [read more]

Latest Reports & Photos (Mar '08)

News items:

Dates

Click to book a place online
Sun 18 Jan - Fri 23 Jan '09 Sun 25 Jan - Fri 30 Jan '09 Sun 1 Feb - Fri 6 Feb '09 Sun 8 Feb - Fri 13 Feb '09 Sun 15 Feb - Fri 20 Feb '09 Sun 22 Feb - Fri 27 Feb '09 Sun 1 Mar - Fri 6 Mar '09 Sun 8 Mar - Fri 13 Mar '09 Sun 15 Mar - Fri 20 Mar '09 Sun 22 Mar - Fri 27 Mar '09 Sun 29 Mar - Fri 3 Apr '09

Prices (choose currency)

Joining in	Ballachulish £540
Insurance	Course Only £14
Optional Single Room £115

Expeditions

If you have the skills & fitness required, then Jagged Globe offers a wide range of exciting expeditions [read more]

Other Courses at this Grade

These courses have a similar grade and might also suit you. They are all considered to be 'introductory courses'.

Course name	Days
Haute Route Mont Blanc Extension	4
Alpine Introduction Mont Blanc Extension	5
Try Telemark Skiing	8
Ski Bivio	8

Scottish Winter Courses