Winter Skills Courses 2020 update. Venue - Glen Coe. Dates February 22nd & 23rd. Status - course running.

If you are looking to venture into the mountains during this winter season then we are running courses to give you the skills to stay safe on snow and ice and learn what to do if things go wrong. We have a course running in Glen Coe during February 22nd & 23rd 2020. The cost is £150.00 per person for the two day course.

Start time each day is 08:30 in Glen Coe and you will be notified beforehand where to meet at one of the valley's five car parks from where we will walk in to a venue to practice Winter Skills Training. Finish time is approximately 5pm each day.

What we will cover during the course.

Day one

• Interpreting forecasts from the Mountain Weather information service (MWIS) and avalanche forecasts from the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS) to enable you to make informed decisions about where you can walk safely to avoid avalanches
• Walking in the mountains identifying and avoiding hazards under the snow.
• Using your boots as a tool. Step kicking, across slope, diagionally up and down. Going straight up and down a snow slope.
• Using your ice axe. Self belay, daggering, step cutting.
• Ice axe braking. What to do if you slip on ice of hard snow to arrest a slide into oblivion using four different possible positions.
• Avalanche prediction. Snow profiles, Rutschblock test, shovel shear test.

Using crampons to ascend/descend hard snow/ice

Day two.

• Digging snow shelters. Examples will include the Lean-to sitting bivvi, the Snow Grave the Snow hole and the shovel up.
• Basic snow belays/using a rope. Looking at the following anchors 

  The stomper belay, the boot-axe belay, the bucket seat belay, snow and ice bollards, Buried axe anchors, using a Deadman.

• Any spare time on day two will be used to cover aspects of the syllabus not covered on day one. Please note skills will be covered as & when appropriate terrain & snow conditions present themselves and not necessarily in the order listed above.

What is provided as part of this winter skills course?  Compehensive instruction from an experience Mountaineering Instructor, Helmets & harnesses, ropes, snow shovels, slings & karabiners are provided by us as part of your fee per person.

What's not provided as part of this course?  You need to bring your own winter boots, crampons and a suitable ice axe as well as your own winter clothing & rucksack. Transport, food and accommodation are not provided as part of your fee per person.

We are happy to provide information on local accommodation options and where to hire crampons and an ice axe. Contact us for details.

Book your place on this winter skills course now!

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

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