Overview
Our Cairngorms-based Winter Mountain Skills Intro course trains the basic skills needed for winter hiking and hillwalking. Because it is only a day, we will focus on the essential skills and techniques. And because these are so important, we will make sure you have time during the day to practise, ask questions and get advice.
Winter hill walking and mountaineering is a big step up from summer hiking. Therefore, this 1 day course will drip feed you the fundamental winter skills along the way. Content of the 1 day Cairngorms winter skills course includes:
- Intro to route planning and avalanche awareness
- Footwork for snow
- Basic ice axe skills
- Intro to crampons
- Basic winter navigation
We will do a short journey on foot. This might include a summit if time and weather allows. Winter weather can be very changeable (especially in the Cairngorms), but we will be constantly on the lookout for ‘teachable moments’ to help build your skills.
As our day draws to a close, we will review our time together. This will also be a chance to discuss next steps in your winter hillwalking career.
Andrew Fearon –
I Had an awesome day summiting Ben Macdui in winter with Malc! Malc is a first class professional Mountain Guide and coach with outstanding service!. He has extensive knowledge of the mountains and a wide range of Mountain skills including navigating multiple routes with map and compass, Weather, safety etc. Arc Guiding provided me with a tailor made service that suited my level of experience and ability. We started the day out with a meeting, looking at the various routes and weather on the mountain then headed to Ben Macdui. I also had the opportunity to learn many things about the mountains and also learn various winter skills that took my confidence and ability to the next level. A perfect day out!! Whether this is your first venture into the mountains or you are already experienced I Highly recommend Arc Guiding!
Janet Mew –
A well structured day of Winter Walking Skills tailored to my experience and fitness level, allowing me to gain the most from the day.
Robin Versteeg –
I booked Malcolm for some general winter skills instruction. Having walked the munros all my life, in all weathers, I felt it was time I had some proper tutelage from a mountain expert. Cairngorm mountain is a hill I thought I knew, but Malcolm’s breadth of knowledge – from weather awareness and snow conditions, to kit choice and steep ground techniques – was an eye-opener. Our excursion was well-planned and thoroughly enjoyable, and whether in learning about the intricacies of wind-slab and avalanches, or in sliding around with an ice-axe, I was in no doubt that I was in the hands of a consummate professional. Highly recommended.