Winter Mountaineering

Gulabin Lodge, Spittal of Glenshee, by Blairgowrie, Perthshire PH10 7QE Mobile 07799 847014 Tel/Fax 01250 885255

Intro:New for this coming winter (Jan/Feb/Mar ‘06) are a series of Winter Mountaineering courses for all abilities. Whether you are a complete novice, wanting to be introduced to the basic techniques required to operate in the Scottish Mountains safely, or you are an experienced winter mountaineer wanting specific instruction, Darren can tailor the course specific to your needs. As a fully qualified Mountaineering Instructor holding the much accredited Mountaineering Instructors Certificate (MIC), Darren has a breadth of experience in the winter environment.

Aims:
Well aware that the Scottish Mountains can be a demanding environment to operate in, Darren’s aim for his clients are to promote an understanding and awareness of the winter environment. Only direct contact with and travel through the environment will lead to the knowledge required to operate safely.

Area:
The rolling hills around the Glenshee area (Southern Cairngorms Range), offer a huge amount of variety for the winter mountaineer, whether it’s day walks around Glas Maol or Snow and Ice climbing at Lochnagar it has everything. Gulabin Lodge your base for any course, is surrounded by many Munro’s, ‘walk from the door’ as no transport is required for many of the days, a bonus if we are snowed in!

Equipment:
All specialist equipment can be provided if required. Call Darren for further details.

Fitness:
All participants should have a good level of fitness. Days in the winter can be long in duration and sometimes very arduous. If you are unsure of the level required call Darren to discuss further.

Courses: (All courses are generally 1 or 2 days in duration)

Introduction to Winter Mountaineering:
(Instructor/Client ratio 1:6)
A winter skills day/course to include, use of Ice axe, crampons, navigation techniques and avalanche awareness.
Cost: £50pp per day.

Winter Navigation: (Instructor/Client ratio 1:6)
Specific winter navigation day/course for the beginner or experienced. Discover the finer navigation techniques required for the winter.
Cost: £50pp per day.

Snow and Ice Climbing: (Instructor/Client ratio 1:2)
A basic climbing skills course designed to introduce clients to the Scottish Graded gullies and buttresses. Also, a more technical related type course is available to build on the basic skills previously gained.
Cost: £100pp per day

Winter Skills 2 day expedition: (Instructor/Client ratio 1:6)
A 2 day course covering all of the winter techniques with a night in a snow hole (conditions dependent).
Cost: £180pp

Any of the above can be combined for a longer period; please call Darren for further information.
If you would like to have a course run in an alternative area to Glenshee do call Darren for your specific requirements.