Winter Skills Cairngorms
We have a range of one and two day introduction to hillwalking, guided winter hill walking courses in Aviemore in the Cairngorms. Our fully qualified and experienced instructors will take you through navigation techniques, avalanche awareness, the use of crampons and ice arrest using an ice axe. Options are available for those new to winter mountaineering and more seasoned adventurers!
Whether you are new to hill walking and want to venture out and learn new skills or you are an experienced and seasoned mountaineer ready for a new challenge, we’re here to help you achieve and conquer your goals. Improving winter skills in the Cairngorms is a great way to prepare for adventures such as tackling the renowned Eagle Ridge at Lochnagar or further afield at the Cuillin ridge on Skye.
Introduction to Hill Walking
This two-day course is an introduction to winter hill walking from Aviemore in the stunning Cairngorms. You will learn use of ice axe, crampons, navigation skills and much more. This is the first step into the magical world of winter hill walking and mountaineering.
Course objective
Our experienced team will give you the skills to explore the hills of the UK in the winter safely and with confidence.
What you will learn
You will cover the fundamentals of winter hill walking such as use of ice axe and crampons, winter navigation techniques, avalanche awareness, route choice and equipment choice and much more.
| Aviemore |
| Sat/Sun, 21-22 January 2023 |
Duration: 2 days
Required skills/fitness level:
You will gain most from this course if you have done some summer hill walking and have a good basic level of fitness.
Spaces: 6 (Ratio 1:6)
Price: £160
Course information
Aviemore meeting point for Introduction to Hill walking
We will meet at 9:00 at Tiso shop cafe where you can grab a coffee while we go through the plan for the day and ensure you have the correct equipment. We will discuss route choice, avalanche forecasting and weather forecasting and the implications they will all have on our route choice before heading out onto the hill.
Over the 2 days on the hill we will look at:
- Identifying risks and safe travel including basic snowpack checks
- Safe travel wearing crampons
- Carrying and using your ice axe safely and effectively
- Ice axe arrests
- General navigation in the winter environment
- Building emergency shelters
- We will also cover the topic of transceivers and rescue equipment such as snow shovels and avalanche probes.
Below is a list of equipment you will be required to bring as part of the winter adventure in the Cairngorms.
*Should you not have any of the below equipment please get in touch as we can supply some items.
- Compass and map case
(Those attending navigation course, maps will be provided) - Mountaineering axe, available if required
- Mountaineering crampons, available if required
- Head torch
- Ski goggles
- 30 – 40ltr rucksack with waterproof liner
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Thermal flask
- Waterproof jacket and trousers suitable for winter
- Stiff mountaineering boots
- Gaiters are advised
- Thermal Base layers
- Trousers, Wind stopper, power stretch, warm trousers /leggings
- Mid layers, soft shell/ fleece/ synthetic mid layer jacket
- Spare warm jacket (belay jacket)
- Hat and spare
- Waterproof/warm gloves and spares
- Climbing helmet
- Snow shovel
(Not essential, but if you have one bring it along) - Walking poles if you use them
Guided Winter Hillwalking
Come and join us on one of our guided winter Munro days. Your guide will lead you safely into the winter environment of the mighty Cairngorm plateau. Experience of walking in crampons would be beneficial but these are skills that you will be taught during the day amongst many others.
Course objective
Our experienced instructors will teach you the skills to navigate the hills of the UK in the winter safely and with confidence.
What you will learn
This is a guided day but you will have the opportunity if you wish to learn more about navigation, route choices, equipment and winter safety procedures.
| Aviemore |
| Sat 4 February 2023 – Sgor Gaoith from Glen Feshie |
| Sun 5 February 2023 – Cairn Gorm and the Northern Corries |
| Sat 18 March 2023 – Ben Macdui |
| Sun 19 March 2023 – A’Chailleach from Newtonmore |
Duration: 1 day
Required skills/fitness level:
You will gain most from this course if you have done some summer hill walking and have a good basic level of fitness, along with basic map and compass skills. You will also need to have walked in crampons before and be used to carrying an ice axe for support, if needed.
Spaces: 6 (Ratio 1:6)
Price: £80
Course information
Aviemore meeting point for Guided Winter Hill walking
We will meet at 9:00 at Tiso shop cafe where you can grab a coffee while we go through the plan for the day and ensure you have the correct equipment. We will discuss route choice, avalanche forecasting and weather forecasting and the implications they will all have on our route choice before heading out onto the hill.
Over the day on the hill we will look at:
- Identifying risks and safe travel including basic snowpack checks
- Safe travel wearing crampons
- Carrying and using your ice axe safely and effectively
- Ice axe arrests
- General navigation in the winter environment
- Building emergency shelters
- We will also cover the topic of transceivers and rescue equipment such as snow shovels and avalanche probes.
- Below is a list of equipment you will be required to bring. *Should you not have any of the below equipment please get in touch as we can supply some items.
- Compass and map case
(Those attending navigation course, maps will be provided) - Mountaineering axe, available if required
- Mountaineering crampons, available if required
- Head torch
- Ski goggles
- 30 – 40ltr rucksack with waterproof liner
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
- Thermal flask
- Waterproof jacket & trousers suitable for winter
- Stiff mountaineering boots
- Gaiters are advised
- Thermal Base layers
- Trousers, Wind stopper, power stretch, warm trousers /leggings
- Mid layers, soft shell/ fleece/ synthetic mid layer jacket
- Spare warm jacket (belay jacket)
- Hat and spare
- Waterproof/warm gloves and spares
- Climbing helmet
- Snow shovel
(Not essential, but if you have one bring it along) - Walking poles if you use them
- Compass and map case
Gallery
