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Intro to Winter Climbing

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.
CONTACT US
Winter mountaineering
Winter mountaineering guiding
Winter mountaineering courses
  • Prices
  • What's Included
  • Kit
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Intro to Winter Climbing Open Courses
£375 per person
​Maximum ratio 1:3

​28th to 30th December 2022 - FULLY BOOKED
25th to 27th January 2023
22nd to 24th February 2023 - FULLY BOOKED
Private Guiding and Instruction
Prices are per day:
​1 person - £300
2 people - £325
3 people - £350
​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
  • 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 Scottish Mountain Hire in Fort William hire out winter boots, crampons and ice axes. They can also supply 30 litre rucksacks and clear goggles. ​Please contact them directly to book:
info@mountainhire.co.uk | +44 (0) 7752587388

Picture
Jottnar
info@abacusmountainguides.com
+44 (0) 1397 703563
  • Home
  • Adventures
    • Ben Nevis >
      • Ben Nevis Winter Ascent
      • Ben Nevis Mountain Track
      • Coire Leis
      • CMD Arete
      • Ledge Route
      • Tower Ridge
      • Events and Challenges
    • Provident Sailing & Hill Walking
    • Summer Guiding >
      • Ring of Steall
      • Glen Coe Walks
      • Curved Ridge
      • Aonach Eagach
      • Rock Climbing
      • Sea Stack Odyssey
      • Private Guiding
    • Skye and the Cuillin Ridge >
      • Cuillin Ridge Traverse
      • Cuillin Munro Bagging
      • Inaccessible Pinnacle
    • Winter Guiding >
      • Winter Walking >
        • Winter Skills Courses
        • Guided Winter Walking
      • Winter Climbing >
        • Intro to Winter Climbing
        • Classic Winter Mountaineering
        • Winter Climbing Progression
        • Classic Winter Climbing
        • Guided Winter Climbing
        • Performance Winter Climbing Workshop
      • Skiing >
        • Intro to Ski Touring
        • Scottish Steep Skiing
        • Ropework for Skiers
      • Avalanche Awareness
      • Women's Winter Festival
      • Fort William Mountain Festival Workshops
      • Winter Resources
    • Mountain Leader Courses
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About
  • Sustainability
  • Booking
  • Partners
  • Covid-19