Scottish Winter Summits

Overview

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t get better than walking in the Highlands in the winter does it? We’ll spend the week taking in some of the West Coast’s finest mountains. Stunning views, inspiring walks, rugged terrain and no doubt some wild weather ensure this will be a holiday to remember! Throw in the comforts of a four-star hotel with an onsite bar, three-course meals, and a group of likeminded people and you really can’t go wrong!

A guided approach means that you’ll learn key skills throughout the week, but you can leave it to the instructors to navigate and manage the day – you can focus on taking it all in with your fellow course attendees.

Who is this aimed at?

This week is aimed at people with experience of winter walking and a good level of mountain fitness.

Objectives

This is a walking course as opposed to a mountaineering course – we’ll be taking in classic walking summits, not the steeper / rockier peaks that may need the use of a rope

What to Expect

Every course is unique as we tailor each to the team, weather, and conditions, but this should give a flavour of what you might get up to…

Sunday

Arrive at Alltshellach from 5pm and settle in, with dinner at 7.30.

Monday

A welcome chat with your fellow team members and instructors about how the week is shaping up conditions and weather wise. Check everyone is happy with their kit and head out for a shakedown day in Glen Coe.

Tuesday

Head to the Bridge of Orchy hills for the shapely summit of Beinn Dorain, a favourite Munro of the PYB team.

Wednesday

Is Buachaille Etive Mor the most photographed mountain in winter? If not, it should be! Views over the expansive Rannoch Mor are truly something else.

Thursday

The Mamores never disappoint, a traverse of Stob Coire a Chairn along its elegant ridge gives a grand day out.

Friday

Tired legs by this point are acceptable! A shorter approach could be the order of the day – using the gondola at Aonach Mor to magically arrive at the 600 metre contour is just the ticket! Then on to the summit for views across Lochaber.

Saturday 

Breakfast and farewells.

Experience Required

You’ll need to be confident in the basic use of crampons and an ice axe and have a good level of fitness, this will enable us to make the most of the week. If conditions allow we may ascend Munros each day (1000 metres of ascent), equally if they don’t then we’ll stay a bit lower and probably walk further. We’ll do what we think is the best thing to do each day.