Scottish Classic Winter Climbs

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Overview

Our high staff to student ratio gives you a tailor made week of action to help you fulfil your winter climbing potential and move up the grades. We’ll develop your skills by sharing our passion for winter climbing as we find our way up the big grade III to IV routes on ice and mixed terrain. Climbing some of the longer classics will mean the need for speedy and efficient climbing, and you’re bound to pick up plenty of top tips along the way. This course will be delivered from our scenic winter base in Scotland, the Alltshellach hotel in North Ballachulish.

The Objectives 

You’ll build on your previous experience and develop your winter climbing skills.

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What to Expect

You’ll climb routes such as

We will aim to cover the following topics;

• Use of ice axe and crampons
• Ice axe arrest
• Winter navigation
• Avalanche risk assessment and avoidance
• Emergency snowshelters/survival
• Elementary ropework and snow belays
• Terrain – ridges, rocky steps, cornices, steep snow (Grade 1)
• Mountaineering decision making

These areas will be incorporated into mountain journeys, hopefully taking in some of the major peaks.

Experience Required

If you’ve attended our Scottish Introduction to Winter Climbing Course or gained similar experience of climbing routes of grade II or above then this is the next step for you. A high level of fitness will allow you to make the most of this week. You’ll need to be able to undertake five consecutive days in the Scottish Mountains with ascents of approximately 1000m whilst carrying a rucksack weighing about 10Kg.

How Should I Prepare?

You should have a high level of winter mountaineering fitness with the ability to spend 6-8 hours moving over steep, broken terrain. The days will often include 800-1000m of ascent and descent. You’ll also need to carry a rucksack with your spare clothing, lunch and equipment in – this could have an approximate weight of 8-10kgs. You’ll get this level of fitness through regular summer hillwalking and 2-3 exercise sessions per week including; running, cycling, walking or playing sport, these should be challenging and tiring sessions. Some upper body strength will be beneficial and training in this area, such as weight sessions in the gym, should be included in your preparation. Time spent rock climbing either outside or at an indoor climbing wall will also be valuable.

Download kit list here.

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