Winter!

There is a beautiful dusting of snow on the mountains here in Snowdonia and a reasonable quantity on the Scottish mountains where the winter climbing season has already started. If you are keen to get out this winter and enjoy the mountains at their very best then come and join one of our winter skills courses. We have a winter skills feature hitting the shops in the next issue of Trail magazine at the end of this month so if you would like to book a space before then visit this link for details of our winter courses: http://www.expeditionguide.com/snowandice.php

Our winter skills weekends will teach you the skills you need to avoid avalanches,  how to use ice axe and crampons, what kit to carry and emergency snow shelters. We will also take in a classic snow capped summit or two! 

Our winter skills weeks aim to cover all of the essential skills that you require in winter to be a self sufficient hill walker and enjoy this wonderful time of year safely and confidently. The big benefit of a 5 day course is that we will experience different snow types throughout the week which is really valuable from an avalanche avoidance and axe and crampon skills point of view. 

Skills covered include:

- Five full days of practical instruction in the mountains

- Choice and use of equipment for the winter environment

- Movement skills on snow

- Use of the ice axe

- How to fit and use crampons - when to put them on and take them off

- Use of the rope in winter (winter belays, snow bollards and as a navigational tool)

- Emergency snow shelters

- Mountain journeys putting all of the skills into perspective

- Mountain navigation

- Planned snow shelters

- Avalanche avoidance & snow analysis

- Diet & nutrition for winter walking

- Cold weather injury avoidance

- Emergency procedures

I am also available for private guiding for 2 weeks of each month here in Snowdonia. I offer this time on an "as and when" basis dependant upon the snow conditions so if you see snow and want to come and play in it, get in touch!