Walkabout Scotland
Weekend winter skills

Get those winter skills for the hills! Weekend skills courses and winter walking holidays in the heart of Scotland ’s mountains.

Hadn’t realised we would also learn a new (wee) language! Seriously, Newtonmore/Aviemore is quite spectacular and Neil was the perfect guide around the area.

DD , USA , 2007

Many seasoned hill walkers believe that you have missed the best of Scottish hill walking if you haven’t experienced the mountains in winter – here is your opportunity to find out if they are right! If you already have some winter walking experience, you already know the answer – welcome back!

If you are a strong summer walker looking to extend into winter walking, or still new to winter walking and simply looking to refresh those skills and build up some more experience under expert guidance, then one of our winter skills trips could be for you.

The programme is based in the Cairngorms – a true wilderness area and an ideal venue for developing and honing your skills. During the course you’ll learn the essential skills required for moving around the Scottish hills in winter conditions while experiencing the challenge and incredible beauty of these magnificent mountains. Topics covered include safe movement on snow, through the correct use of ice axe and crampons, winter navigation and avalanche awareness – all taught in a fun and informative manner by one of our expert qualified guides.

Weekend Winter Skills Course
Our Scottish winter skills weekend offers a great introduction to winter hillwalking with a full two days out in the Cairngorms. This weekend will be suitable for anyone thinking of taking up winter walking or regular winter walkers looking to refresh their winter skills. A good basic level of fitness is required for this weekend.

Winter Skills Covered
During the weekend we’ll introduce you to safe movement in the mountains in winter: how to walk on snow through use of step kicking and cutting, the use of crampons and how to stop a fall using an ice axe. We will also cover avalanche awareness, route selection and the essentials of winter navigation. During the evenings we will discuss topics such as equipment, winter weather and winter mountain hazards.

At the end of the weekend you can expect to be able to:

• Know how to fit crampons correctly
• Apply different techniques and steps for moving safely over snow or ice covered terrain
• “Self arrest” using an ice axe (stop yourself slipping down snow slopes)
• Assess snow conditions and avalanche risk through digging snow pits
• Build a snow hole (basic survival)
• Understand winter navigation essentials and route selection in winter conditions

Weekend Itinerary
Your weekend will include 2 full days of instruction and guiding and 2 nights full board accommodation in the Cairngorms area. Departure for the weekend will be from Edinburgh 4 pm on Friday afternoon, however for those with their own transport you may wish to rendezvous with us on the Friday evening at our accommodation. We can also arrange for pick up from Aviemore train station or Inverness airport if required.

The itinerary for the weekend will, of course, be flexible and weather dependant, but you can expect the following outline itinerary:

Day 1 (Friday): Depart Edinburgh for the Cairngorms
Depart Edinburgh at 4.00pm and head north towards the Cairngorms. The journey takes around 2.5 hours. After dinner your guide will spend some time running through the programme for the weekend and making sure everyone is properly fitted out with boots, crampons and ice axes.

Day 2 (Saturday): Winter Skills Day 1
Today we focus on ice axe and crampon skills, including ice axe and self arrest training. This will include a morning spent in one of the Cairngorms many snow filled corries, learning and improving skills, before continuing higher up the mountain and perhaps gaining a summit if time and conditions permit. As well as learning some seriously essential skills, this is also a lot of fun!

Day 3 (Sunday): Winter Skills Day 2

With the theme today on more of a mountain “journey”, a full days mountain walking will give us an ideal opportunity to practice skills gained the previous day. Additional topics also covered throughout the day will include avalanche awareness, route selection and winter navigation. Depending on weather conditions, we’ll be looking for at least one summit and some of those classic winter views for which these mountains are famous.

Grading
Overall this weekend is graded as ‘Challenging’. A good level of fitness will allow you to get the most out of the weekend and ideally you should have recent and regular hill walking experience. We will be out on the hill for between 6-7 hours each day, with up to 600 metres (2000ft) of ascent. The emphasis on this weekend however is on gaining skills rather than travelling large distances and there will be plenty of time throughout the weekend for playing in the snow!

Your Guide
Your guide is a fully trained and qualified Scottish Winter Mountain Leader, with substantial experience in, and knowledge of, the Cairngorms area.

Your Group
In the interests of safety, the maximum group size will be 6 clients per leader.

Private Groups
The shared experience of winter walking is a big part of the enjoyment. If you are one of a group who like to walk regularly with each other, and who would like to arrange an exclusive Winter Hill Walking Trip geared to your group’s experience and ambitions, please call to discuss details, dates, and prices. (Minimum number 4.)

Equipment
Winter weather can be changeable! Your guide will ensure that each day’s walk makes the best of whatever conditions prevail – overhead and underfoot – but the equipment you bring with you will contribute greatly to your safety, and to your comfort.

We Recommend:

• Rucksack (with a capacity of 35 – 45 litres), with attachment points for crampons and ice axe.
• Waterproof rucksack liner.
• Good quality, breathable, waterproof jacket.
• Waterproof trousers.
• Thick fleece/duvet jacket, and a spare fleece.
• Warm/lined winter trousers.
• Synthetic base layers, including ‘long johns’.
• Stiff Walking Boots (3 / 4 season) – capable of taking crampons.
• Thick socks.
• Liner socks.
• Gaiters.
• Warm, windproof hat, or a balaclava, and a spare.
• Warm, windproof gloves, and a spare pair.
• Liner gloves.
• Neck gaiter/scarf.
• Ski goggles/sun glasses.
• Sunscreen and lip saver.
• 1 litre water bottle.
• ½ -1 litre flask.
• Plastic Survival Bag, or a Bivvi Bag.
• Personal medical kit, including any personal medication you may be taking.
• *Crampons.
• *Ice Axe.
• Torch and spare batteries.
• Emergency whistle.
• Sit Mat.
• Camera.
• Casual clothes for evening wear.

*If you are unable to bring your own ice axe and crampons then these can be hired from us for a small charge of £10 per item for the weekend. Please arrange with us when you book.

Your own boots, if they are suitable for crampons, will be the most comfortable option. If you don’t have suitable boots, you may be able to hire them from an outdoor shop local to you. Alternatively, we can arrange for boots to be hired in Edinburgh but we do recommend you arrive early on the Friday afternoon to arrange for a pair to fit. Contact us for details and prices.

Spare maps and compasses, group first aid kit and group emergency shelter, will all be supplied by Walkabout Scotland.

You can book your trip online now! If you need more information, please do contact us.

5% discount off this tour for all previous Walkabout Scotland customers.
Recommend us to a friend who books and receive a £30 discount off any future tour!