Winter Mountaineering Weekend

Who’s The Winter mountaineering course (weekend) for?

People with a summer scrambling background that want to take the leap into safe winter climbing. Anyone wanting to do this course should also have experience in winter hill walking.

What you get the skills

Using your boots as an effective winter tool

Use of ice axe and crampons for climbing

Avalanche avoidance

Navigation for climbers

Diet and nutrition for winter climbing

Winter belays

Winter ropework

Winter weather and its considerations

Emergency shelters

Night time “Lecturette” on snow pack assessment and the science behind the decisions.

What you get the package

Pre event – We will liaise with you to ensure the smooth organisation of the trip, provide you with a kit list, and answer any questions you may have on what equipment to buy. We can also arrange hire of equipment from local suppliers.

During the event – Firstly, we will meet you on the Sunday evening in the accommodation (or where you are staying) and ensure all the group made it safely to the activity location and everybody has the equipment needed.

Day 1 – Generally the first day looks at the basics. Then swiftly move onto safe and effective movement around the mountain. First we look at the winter walking terrain, and then move onto climbing specific considerations. So, before we touch anything metal, we look at the most important tool of all; your boots. Following a logical progression that takes into account the conditions we have on the day, we can start to move onto graded terrain look at safeguarding yourself and your party through solid movement and decision making, and then rope work etc.

Day 1 evening – So following day one, we like to put across the theory behind the decisions. So a fun, informal “lecturette” in the evening, means those that want to can learn more about the science behind the snow, and get ideas on further reading. All lectures include a handout to take away and read.

Day 2 – So, the main aim of this day is to build on day 1. Now we know you individually we can really start to develop and refine those essential skills, and add new ones in as we undertake our second climbing day. This will include looking at steeper terrain, mixed ground (i.e. snow, ice and rock, all in one climb), and hopefully get a classic gully line or two as well!

Some of the classics we may climb are:

The Runnel; Corrie an t- Sneachda (grade II)

Aladdin Mirror; Corrie an t- Sneachda (grade I)

Crotched Gully; Corrie an t- Sneachda (grade II)

SC Gully: Stob Corrie nan Lochan (grade III)

NC Gully: Stob Corrie nan Lochan (grade II)

Summary of what’s included

Pre event support on logistics and equipment

A phone call the night before the course to make sure everybody is fit and healthy

A qualified MIC (or supervised MIC trainee)

A guide to client ratio of 1:2

Guided from start to finish

A digital photo album of the event

1 x “lecturette”

How much does this cost?

Individual person price starts at £275 *

Group of 2 or more; prices start at £250 * per person

* = no accommodation. Nights in a premium bunkhouse can be added for £25 per person / per night

Don’t fancy this; think its a hard for you? If so, look at our Winter walking weekend, perfect for those people with some winterexperience already, but dont yet feel ready for the vertical!.

Why our Outdoor Educational programs Are So Good

A unique feature of Outdoor Active courses is the flexibility of our packages. We have designed 4 different packages; one of which will suit your needs and budget.

If you don’t have the chance to visit our beautiful activity centre in Anglesey, North Wales then we can come to you with one of our 1 day – “Team maker” visits

If you can visit us and want to sample some real adventure activities then come visit us on Anglesey, North Wales and enjoy one of our 1 day – “Quick immersion” courses

If you can come to us for longer and want to add a residential experience to your trip, but don’t have a whole week why not sample our “overnight initiative” which is a 2 day / 1 night course

If you have the time why not comes on one of our “Total Immersion” courses. These week long activity residential are the ultimate way to experience Anglesey, Snowdonia and North Wales.

If one of the courses above doesn’t fit in with your needs then please feel free to call us, or email us with your requirements and we can build a tailor made product just for you.

We pride our self on offering courses that deliver measurable development through outdoor activities.

Outdoor Education courses are designed to meet goals set out in the Welsh Assembly Governments Physical Education in the National Curriculum document.

We also offer National Governing Body Awards. Examples of these are the Canoe Wales star tests. This mean the participant receives a nationally accredited award, which can be put in their record of achievement.

As well as having the relevant qualification enabling the instructor to run the activity session many of our coaches are also qualified teachers.

If not holding a PGCE many of our instructors and coaches hold degrees in other relevant fields.

We have downloadable information (pdf’s) answering your common questions.

How To Book

So, if you already know we can help you with your requirements please contact us with your exact needs. Or if you have any questions not answered in these pages, again, please feel free to ask us them directly. You can contact us via the phone number and email found at the top of the page. Or, fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of the page.

Or email us Outdoor Active directly at dave@outdooractivesports.co.uk or call us on 07971 562512

'Skills Courses'