Intro to Winter Climbing

The Aonach Eagach. Ledge Route. Curved Ridge. Do you want to take your winter walking to the next level and start tackling classic mountaineering routes like this?
An Intro to Winter Climbing course will give you all the skills needed to operate in winter including ice axe and crampon use, avalanche awareness, navigation, basic rope work and emergency response. A three day course is ideal to give you chance to look at the rope work, different snow and rock anchors, then put it all into practice on an appropriate route.
If you would prefer to be guided along along these spectacular routes we can do this too. Take a look at our Guided Winter Climbing page for more information.

This coming winter we are running Intro to Winter Climbing Courses on set dates where you can join other like-minded people to learn the skills to start tackling grade I and II routes on your own. You should be comfortable using crampons and an ice axe before attending one of the courses.

Day One - Rope work for grade 1 and grade 2 gullies, for example Number 2 Gully, Ben Nevis.
Day Two - Rope work for grade 1 and grade 2 ridges and buttresses, for example Ledge Route, Ben Nevis.
Day Three - Put it all into action on a suitable winter route such as the Aonach Eagach.

See below for prices and dates for the courses. Maximum ratio is three people to one instructor but we will run the course if we have only one or two people booked.

We can run private Intro to Winter Climbing courses on any day of the week and these can be tailored to match your aspirations and previous experience. Get in touch to check our availability and make a booking.

Prices
What's Included
Kit

Intro to Winter Climbing Group Courses 2021
£340 per person
28th - 30th December 2020
27th - 29th January 2021
24th - 26th February 2021
24th - 26th March 2021

Private Guiding and Instruction
Prices are per day:
1 person - £250
2 people - £275
3 people - £300
Please Contact Us to check our availability or to get a quote for larger groups.

To make sure you get the most out of your day we've included the following:

Kit list
Helmet and harness
Ropes and technical equipment
10% off at Cotswold Outdoor in Fort William
10% off at SYHA hostels
Safety Brief
Experienced Mountaineering Instructor
Action photos

You will need to organise accommodation, lunch, personal equipment and insurance.

The weather in the Scottish mountains can change in a matter of minutes. Snow is likely and it can regularly feel as cold as -20 degrees Celsius on the summits. Make sure you are ready for your day by packing the items on the list below.

To wear
Thermal base layers – polyester or woollen, no cotton
Warm fleece
Walking trousers – no jeans
Spare fleece or synthetic insulating layer
Waterproof jacket and trousers with side zips
Warm hat and gloves (spare gloves recommended)
Stiff walking boots – B2 or B3 rated

Other equipment
Rucksack – roughly 35 litres
Mountaineering ice axe and crampons
Helmet and harness
Belay plate and carabiner
Lunch and spare food
1 litre flask or water bottle
Headtorch
Ski goggles
Map and compass
Whistle
Walking poles (recommended but not essential)
Sunglasses & sun cream
Mobile phone in a waterproof case
Camera
Personal 1st Aid Kit - plasters, blister kit, all normal medication including asthma inhaler if you have one

If you need winter equipment Ellis Brigham in Fort William hire out winter boots, crampons and ice axes. Please contact them directly to book:
fort.william@ellis-brigham.com | 01397 706220