Alan Kimber - West Coast Mountain Guides Winter climbing courses


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Overview

Winter mountaineering and ice climbing activities are invariably effected by the weather and snow and ice conditions. In reality this is the nature of winter mountaineering and ice climbing in Scotland. Attending a course will not make any difference! However the instructors local knowledge should ensure that the most is made of every day out on the hill. Course members will get a useful insight to what is possible, even during poor weather should it occur.

Individuals or groups are welcome. No minimum numbers.

 

Looking towards Ben Nevis from Aonach Mor
In general terms all course members will spend as much time as possible on high snow and ice covered mountains above 3,000 ft (915m) looking at the necessary skills for winter mountaineering and ice climbing. During the evenings a library of relevant mountain video subjects are available to reinforce the practical side of the programmes. The courses all meet for kit checks and introductions on the Sunday morning (5 days) or Saturday morning weekends. Ben Nevis Summit Plateau

Each day starts at 8.00am and usually finishes by 5.00-6.00pm. A weather and avalanche briefing each morning is backed up on the hill by digging snow pits and studying snow crystals and previous weather/wind patterns.

All winter courses require considerable physical effort and are potentially risky. Anyone interested in fitness training before attending a course should try swimming, cycling or just hill-walking. Try and arrive reasonably fit and you will enjoy yourself even more!

Some courses will use the Nevis Range Gondola up lift and £8.00 return is a cost to be budgeted for. Also one visit to the Ice Factor for the climbers is possible and this will involve an extra £12 over the course fee.

 

Cornice on Aonach Mor

 

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Courses

West Coast Mountain Guides offer a variety of winter climbing courses designed to suit all ages and abilities. You can find out more about each course by clicking on the links below.

Ben Nevis

 

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Reccommended reading

Before attending any of the courses the following book list would prove useful reading:


Ben Nevis and Glencoe - Alan Kimber
  • Ben Nevis and Glencoe - Alan Kimber - published by Cicerone
    ISBN 1-85284-348--9
Scotland's Winter Mountains
  • Scotland's Winter Mountains - Martin Moran
    ISBN 0715390961
Cold Climbs
  • Cold Climbs - Alcock & Barry
    ISBN 0906371163
The Complete Guide to Rope Techniques
  • The Complete Guide to Rope Techniques – Nigel Shepherd – Constable
    ISBN 1-84119-323-2
Mountaincraft and Leadership
  • Mountaincraft and Leadership – Eric Langmuir – Mountain Leader Training
    ISBN 1-85060-295-6
GPS Made Easy
  • GPS Made Easy – Lawrence Letham – Cordee
    ISBN 1-871890-74-8
Avalanche Safety
  • Avalanche Safety – Tony Daffern – Baton Wicks
    ISBN 1-898573-44-1
Chance in a Million
  • Chance in a Million – Barton & Wright – SMC
    ISBN 0-907521-59-2
Mountain Navigation
  • Mountain Navigation – Peter Cliff
    ISBN 1-871890-55-1
The Mountain Skills Handbook
  • The Mountain Skills Handbook – Hill & Johnston - David & Charles
    ISBN 0-7153-1091-7
Weather for Hillwalkers and Climbers
  • Weather for Hillwalkers and Climbers – Malcolm Thomas – Sutton
    ISBN 0-7509-1080-1
Mountaineering First Aid
  • Mountaineering First Aid – The Mountaineers
    ISBN 0-89886-478-x
The Advanced Backpacker
  • The Advanced Backpacker – Townsend - Ragged Mountain Press
    ISBN 0-07-135756-4
The Handbook of Climbing
  • The Handbook of Climbing - Fyffe & Peters - BMC/Pelham Books
    ISBN0-7207-1805-8

 

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