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Scottish Winter Summits
Grade: Introductory
Scottish Winter Summits
Our courses are based in the mountains around Glencoe and Fort William (Ben Nevis).
Our Scottish Winter Summits course is ideal for those who have previously completed a Winter Skills or Introductory Winter Mountaineering course or have ice axe and crampon experience and don't wish to progress onto steeper graded climbs with ropes. Instead, we will enjoy good general winter mountaineering days out under our expert guidance to develop and perfect your skills. A great way to train and get the miles in ready for a Trek or Expedition without the need to worry about weather conditions and navigation.
Our courses are based in the mountains around Glencoe and Fort William (Ben Nevis) which normally provides some of the best and most reliable winter snow and ice conditions in Britain during the months of January to April.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: The course begins at 8pm on the first evening with a course briefing and the essentials for clothing and equipment. After the course briefing we will check your personal kit and issue you with any hire kit required.
Day 2: The first mountain day will revise your skills for moving safely and efficiently on snow covered terrain with the use of crampons and ice axe including ice axe arrest. In the evening there will be a short lecture on avalanche avoidance and prediction.
Day 3-4: We will enjoy some of the most stunning winter scenery in the Glencoe and Ben Nevis region combined with climbing many of its major peaks and Munro's. We will develop your skills as part of mountain days and you will learn to travel safely in the winter hills under our expert guidance.
We would hope to explore a wide variety of areas on the West Coast, but days may include ascents of many of the mountains below:
- Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete
- The Ring of Steall from Glen Nevis
- Ballachullish Horseshoe
- The Lost Valley and Bidean Nam Bian
- Stob Ban and the Mamores
- Grey Corries traverse
- Buchaille Etive Mor and Buchaille Etive Beag
Previous experience:
You should have previous experience of using ice axe and crampons for at least 3 days and understand the principles of ice axe arrest which will be revised on the first mountain day. Fitness wise you should be able to enjoy good long summer mountain walks with a minimum of 3000ft / 1000m of ascent over steep broken rocky ground in ascent and decent.
If you wish to build up to this course, then consider joining
Introduction to Winter Mountaineering (level 1)
or Winter Skills Weekend (level 1)
Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until you have verified that your course is confirmed to run.
Dates & Prices
Availability
* A deposit of £150 will be required at checkout.
Extras
Extras can be added per-person when you book onto a date
| Item | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Extra night B&B - per night (if booked through us) | £42 | |
| 1 Extra night DB&B - per night (if booked through us) | £72 | |
| 2 Extra nights B&B - per night (if booked through us) | £84 | |
| 2 Extra nights DB&B - per night (if booked through us) | £144 | |
| Single room supplement £24 per night - 3 nights | £72 |
* A deposit of £200 (or the full extra price, whichever is lower) will be required at checkout for each extra added per-person on this trip
What's Included
- Instruction
- Full board accommodation with three course evening meals & packed lunches, starting with breakfast on the first morning through to packed lunch on the day of departure. Bar meals can be purchased until 8.30pm on the day of your arrival
- Ropes and technical equipment (excluding personal kit such as harness/crampons, ice axe, and helmet)
- 15% off the RRP of clothing and equipment purchases from The Expedition shop
What's Excluded
- Travel to Scotland
- Evening meal on arrival and drinks
- Personal equipment
- Uplift by cable car on Aonach Mor or the White Corries
- Entry to the ice wall at the Ice Factor in the event of severe weather
Reviews
Well organised, flexible and suitably tailored activities, excellent leader, comfortable accommodation, very reasonable price for a really good overall package. The information received was comprehensive and timely. The instructor Lucy was full of information and advice, related well to the group - a great leader. Traversing the ridge from Buchaille Etive Beag over hard snow was exhilarating.
The activities took into account what I wanted to do. Felt very confident in skills and abilities of instructor and safe. [The information received] was thorough and helpful. I enjoyed the mix of activities that I did on both days. Scenery - beautiful.
There were only 2 of us on the course so we benefited from above and beyond guiding. Really was a cracking day out for our route up the Ben via Coire Leis. The final day too!
I was very lucky to get a weather window mid Feb. My first ascent of 'The Ben' in Winter conditions and not the tourist route, what more could you ask for. Thanks Mark, thanks Graeme! Good skills tips, patience and we were safe in their hands. I shall not forget the views of the 3 sisters and then Glen Etive on the last day - one is now a picture on my wall. Sunshine and no wind, we were able to take it all in during a half hour summit stop on Buachaille Etive Beag.
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