LFTO News

Winter skills

Get skilled up for winter with TRAIL

Outdoor headlines

17 November 2009 15:55

Learn everything you need to tackle snowy peaks this winter

Last winter saw bumper snow conditions on the high mountains in Scotland.

So if you’re planning on getting out next winter it’s now time to learn the skills you need to tackle Scotland’s mountains in safety.

Trail’s Stuart Johnston MIC is one of Britain’s most highly qualified instructors.

He began fulltime instructing and guiding in 1992.

He is co-author of two books, the training officer for the Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland and an active Member of Tayside Mountain Rescue.

Stuart's company climbmts.co.uk runs courses specially designed to give Trail readers the skills they need from his base in Aberfeldy, on the edge of the South Eastern Highlands.

This year’s courses are:

Course 1
Winter skills and Munros
It’s all hands on as you learn how to cope with winter conditions on some of Scotland’s biggest mountains. You’ll learn how to:

•      Use boots, crampons and ice axe
•      Self arrest skills, step cutting and route finding
•      Navigate in poor weather and plan walks
•      Spot winter weather and how to make good decisions
•      Predict avalanches and avalanche avoidance techniques
•      Tackle Scotland’s winter summits safely

5 Day course
Ratio 1 instructor to 6 guests
Cost £575.00
Dates 18-22 Jan, 1-5 Feb, 8-12 Feb, 15-19 Feb, 8-12 Mar 2010

2 day weekend course
Ratio 1 instructor to 6 guests
Cost £200.00
Dates 30-31 Jan, 13-14 Feb, 20-21 Feb, 27-28 Feb, 6-7 Mar 2010

Course 2
Winter Mountaineering
You have the basic skills and you now want to tackle steeper winter terrain like ridges to access winter summits. This course will introduce you to Scottish winter grade 1 terrain and introduce winter alpine skills. You will learn to:
•      Ascend and descend steep slopes
•      Climb and protect sections of technical terrain on ridges
•      Build and use snow pack anchors
•      Build rock anchors using basic equipment and your rope
•      Learn and develop your avalanche knowledge
•      Improve your winter navigation
•      Learn to plan for winter mountaineering trips
•      Climb ridges to summit classic winter mountains

5 day courses
Ratio 1 instructor to 6 guests
Cost £600.00
Dates 25-29 Jan, 8-12 Feb, 22-26 Feb, 15-19 Mar

2 day courses
Ratio 1 instructor to 6 guests
Cost £230.00
Dates 30-31 Jan, 13-14 Feb, 20-21 Feb, 27-28 Feb, 6-7 Mar 2010

You’ll stay at the Moness Resort in Aberfeldy, where there are plenty of couple-friendly rooms and an option to upgrade to full resort level accommodation if desired.