INTRO TO WINTER MOUNTAINEERING COURSE 26-31 JAN SCOTLAND
We are so excited to offer you this course! This course is designed for those of you with no previous winter hill walking or mountaineering experience, or for those who want a refresher in the skills needed to walk or climb safely in winter or for anyone keen to take their next step in their Mountaineering journey and would like to prepare for an overseas expedition like Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, the Alps or Toubkal. Based in the Western Highlands we will have access to climb Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Aonach Mor and the Mamores, so you can expect to climb a variety of winter Munros. The Instructors' aim is to introduce you to a range of winter skills.
Course content:
The use and movement on snow and ice with ice axe and crampons
Using the rope to safeguard the party on steep ground
The choice and construction of snow and rock anchors.
A theme common to all groups is safety, whether through the teaching of navigation skills, avalanche assessment or the placement of belays.
By the end of the week, you should have the confidence and the skills necessary to venture into the Scottish Winter Mountains independently.
Refresher of existing personal skills (if appropriate)
Ice axe arrest
Emergency snow shelters
When:
Sunday 26th to Friday 31st Jan 2025.
5 days on the hill (Monday to Friday)
Where:
Course takes place in Glencoe, Scotland
Staying in Ballachulish Hotel
What’s included?:
5 nights’ hotel accommodation, on a twin-sharing basis at the Ballachulish
Hotel*
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout*
Instructional fees based on the optimum student to instructor ratio for the activity being undertaken
Road transport to fulfil the course programme
All group mountaineering equipment, such as ropes and other technical
equipment
Boots, ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet (if reserved in advance)
A GGW whatsapp group and GGW Host to facilitate the organisation of flights and transport.
Community, Connection, fun
What’s not included?:
Flights
Transport to/from the airport to the course venue
Mountaineering and travel Insurance
Personal equipment and clothing
Mechanical uplift costs and indoor climbing**
**The Aonach Mor Gondola is approximately £17 and is frequently used on all courses.
YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Sunday
You should arrive by 6pm on Sunday evening. The course begins
with the Course Briefing, which you must attend. The briefing
covers essential information for the week ahead, including
equipment required for the following day. Dinner is served at 7pm.
After dinner we will issue hire kit and there will be a short
presentation on winter clothing and cold injury.
Day 2 Monday
This is an introductory day concentrating on the use of crampons
and ice axe on steep ground. We also include practice of arresting
slips and falls. During the day we will look at the practical
assessment of avalanche risk.
Day 3 - 6 Tuesday - Friday
Mountaineering Days. These will be long mountain journeys,
where the emphasis is on safety, navigation, mountain weather,
snow-craft and general mountaineering skills. As the week
progresses you can expect to put these skills into practice on
increasingly steeper ground. The days are tailored to suit the
abilities of the group, along with your aspirations. The venues
chosen by the staff always take account of the prevailing weather
and snow conditions. The course finishes at 6pm on Friday evening. If you need to leave earlier it may not be possible to take part in the activities
that day, as the group may be in the high mountains. You are not
booked into the hotel for the Friday night unless you indicate on
the Booking Form that you would like us to reserve dinner, bed
and breakfast for you. This arrangement gives you the flexibility to
book accommodation to match your personal travel arrangements.
TRIP COST, DEPOSIT AND INSTALMENTS:
TOTAL TRIP PRICE: €1390
Initial deposit to secure your spot: €250
Second Instalment: €145 October 28th
Remaining balance of €995 to be paid off in own time before December 25th.
FAQ
ABILITY
Before attending a Scottish Winter Course, you should ensure that you are fit enough to take part in the full programme. Winter mountaineering and climbing is extremely arduous, even under mild conditions. The fitter you are, the more you will benefit from the course. Each day, you can expect to be in the mountains carrying a rucksack of 10Kgs, for at least 7 hours, during which time you may walk 10 miles and climb 1,000m of cumulative ascent. You need to consider the effect of doing this on cumulative days. If you do not have any mountains on your doorstep by which to gauge your fitness, then we would recommend regular running, swimming, walking or cycling in preparation for your course. As a general guide, you should aim to build up to doing two or three sessions of aerobic exercise during the week, with at least one tougher session each week, at the weekend.
TRANSPORT
We will encourage and facilitate a whatsapp group to discuss transport options from the aiport. The hotel is 12 miles south of Fort William, which is well served by Rail, including a sleeper service.
Buses leave Glasgow from Buchanan Street Station and the airport. You can download the Citylink Glasgow/Skye timetable via this link:
https://www.citylink.co.uk/media/3icot4n5/glasgow-uig-apr23.pdf
Call Citylink on 0871 266 33 33. We advise that you book your tickets in advance to guarantee your seat, as the buses can get quite busy.
For local taxi companies recommended by the Ballachulish Hotel for travel from Fort William to the hotel, please call 01855 811 764 or 01855 821 428.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATION
i. A cancellation of your spot from the day you book your spot will incur a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
ii. 42 days or more before the course starts – loss of €145 deposit instalment and a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
iii. less than 42 days but more than 21 days before the course starts – 50% of total course cost and a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
iiii. less than 21 days before the course starts – 100% of the total course cost.
No transfers of your spot onto another course.
We are so excited to offer you this course! This course is designed for those of you with no previous winter hill walking or mountaineering experience, or for those who want a refresher in the skills needed to walk or climb safely in winter or for anyone keen to take their next step in their Mountaineering journey and would like to prepare for an overseas expedition like Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, the Alps or Toubkal. Based in the Western Highlands we will have access to climb Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Aonach Mor and the Mamores, so you can expect to climb a variety of winter Munros. The Instructors' aim is to introduce you to a range of winter skills.
Course content:
The use and movement on snow and ice with ice axe and crampons
Using the rope to safeguard the party on steep ground
The choice and construction of snow and rock anchors.
A theme common to all groups is safety, whether through the teaching of navigation skills, avalanche assessment or the placement of belays.
By the end of the week, you should have the confidence and the skills necessary to venture into the Scottish Winter Mountains independently.
Refresher of existing personal skills (if appropriate)
Ice axe arrest
Emergency snow shelters
When:
Sunday 26th to Friday 31st Jan 2025.
5 days on the hill (Monday to Friday)
Where:
Course takes place in Glencoe, Scotland
Staying in Ballachulish Hotel
What’s included?:
5 nights’ hotel accommodation, on a twin-sharing basis at the Ballachulish
Hotel*
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout*
Instructional fees based on the optimum student to instructor ratio for the activity being undertaken
Road transport to fulfil the course programme
All group mountaineering equipment, such as ropes and other technical
equipment
Boots, ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet (if reserved in advance)
A GGW whatsapp group and GGW Host to facilitate the organisation of flights and transport.
Community, Connection, fun
What’s not included?:
Flights
Transport to/from the airport to the course venue
Mountaineering and travel Insurance
Personal equipment and clothing
Mechanical uplift costs and indoor climbing**
**The Aonach Mor Gondola is approximately £17 and is frequently used on all courses.
YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Sunday
You should arrive by 6pm on Sunday evening. The course begins
with the Course Briefing, which you must attend. The briefing
covers essential information for the week ahead, including
equipment required for the following day. Dinner is served at 7pm.
After dinner we will issue hire kit and there will be a short
presentation on winter clothing and cold injury.
Day 2 Monday
This is an introductory day concentrating on the use of crampons
and ice axe on steep ground. We also include practice of arresting
slips and falls. During the day we will look at the practical
assessment of avalanche risk.
Day 3 - 6 Tuesday - Friday
Mountaineering Days. These will be long mountain journeys,
where the emphasis is on safety, navigation, mountain weather,
snow-craft and general mountaineering skills. As the week
progresses you can expect to put these skills into practice on
increasingly steeper ground. The days are tailored to suit the
abilities of the group, along with your aspirations. The venues
chosen by the staff always take account of the prevailing weather
and snow conditions. The course finishes at 6pm on Friday evening. If you need to leave earlier it may not be possible to take part in the activities
that day, as the group may be in the high mountains. You are not
booked into the hotel for the Friday night unless you indicate on
the Booking Form that you would like us to reserve dinner, bed
and breakfast for you. This arrangement gives you the flexibility to
book accommodation to match your personal travel arrangements.
TRIP COST, DEPOSIT AND INSTALMENTS:
TOTAL TRIP PRICE: €1390
Initial deposit to secure your spot: €250
Second Instalment: €145 October 28th
Remaining balance of €995 to be paid off in own time before December 25th.
FAQ
ABILITY
Before attending a Scottish Winter Course, you should ensure that you are fit enough to take part in the full programme. Winter mountaineering and climbing is extremely arduous, even under mild conditions. The fitter you are, the more you will benefit from the course. Each day, you can expect to be in the mountains carrying a rucksack of 10Kgs, for at least 7 hours, during which time you may walk 10 miles and climb 1,000m of cumulative ascent. You need to consider the effect of doing this on cumulative days. If you do not have any mountains on your doorstep by which to gauge your fitness, then we would recommend regular running, swimming, walking or cycling in preparation for your course. As a general guide, you should aim to build up to doing two or three sessions of aerobic exercise during the week, with at least one tougher session each week, at the weekend.
TRANSPORT
We will encourage and facilitate a whatsapp group to discuss transport options from the aiport. The hotel is 12 miles south of Fort William, which is well served by Rail, including a sleeper service.
Buses leave Glasgow from Buchanan Street Station and the airport. You can download the Citylink Glasgow/Skye timetable via this link:
https://www.citylink.co.uk/media/3icot4n5/glasgow-uig-apr23.pdf
Call Citylink on 0871 266 33 33. We advise that you book your tickets in advance to guarantee your seat, as the buses can get quite busy.
For local taxi companies recommended by the Ballachulish Hotel for travel from Fort William to the hotel, please call 01855 811 764 or 01855 821 428.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATION
i. A cancellation of your spot from the day you book your spot will incur a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
ii. 42 days or more before the course starts – loss of €145 deposit instalment and a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
iii. less than 42 days but more than 21 days before the course starts – 50% of total course cost and a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
iiii. less than 21 days before the course starts – 100% of the total course cost.
No transfers of your spot onto another course.
We are so excited to offer you this course! This course is designed for those of you with no previous winter hill walking or mountaineering experience, or for those who want a refresher in the skills needed to walk or climb safely in winter or for anyone keen to take their next step in their Mountaineering journey and would like to prepare for an overseas expedition like Mont Blanc, Gran Paradiso, the Alps or Toubkal. Based in the Western Highlands we will have access to climb Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Aonach Mor and the Mamores, so you can expect to climb a variety of winter Munros. The Instructors' aim is to introduce you to a range of winter skills.
Course content:
The use and movement on snow and ice with ice axe and crampons
Using the rope to safeguard the party on steep ground
The choice and construction of snow and rock anchors.
A theme common to all groups is safety, whether through the teaching of navigation skills, avalanche assessment or the placement of belays.
By the end of the week, you should have the confidence and the skills necessary to venture into the Scottish Winter Mountains independently.
Refresher of existing personal skills (if appropriate)
Ice axe arrest
Emergency snow shelters
When:
Sunday 26th to Friday 31st Jan 2025.
5 days on the hill (Monday to Friday)
Where:
Course takes place in Glencoe, Scotland
Staying in Ballachulish Hotel
What’s included?:
5 nights’ hotel accommodation, on a twin-sharing basis at the Ballachulish
Hotel*
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout*
Instructional fees based on the optimum student to instructor ratio for the activity being undertaken
Road transport to fulfil the course programme
All group mountaineering equipment, such as ropes and other technical
equipment
Boots, ice axe, crampons, harness and helmet (if reserved in advance)
A GGW whatsapp group and GGW Host to facilitate the organisation of flights and transport.
Community, Connection, fun
What’s not included?:
Flights
Transport to/from the airport to the course venue
Mountaineering and travel Insurance
Personal equipment and clothing
Mechanical uplift costs and indoor climbing**
**The Aonach Mor Gondola is approximately £17 and is frequently used on all courses.
YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Sunday
You should arrive by 6pm on Sunday evening. The course begins
with the Course Briefing, which you must attend. The briefing
covers essential information for the week ahead, including
equipment required for the following day. Dinner is served at 7pm.
After dinner we will issue hire kit and there will be a short
presentation on winter clothing and cold injury.
Day 2 Monday
This is an introductory day concentrating on the use of crampons
and ice axe on steep ground. We also include practice of arresting
slips and falls. During the day we will look at the practical
assessment of avalanche risk.
Day 3 - 6 Tuesday - Friday
Mountaineering Days. These will be long mountain journeys,
where the emphasis is on safety, navigation, mountain weather,
snow-craft and general mountaineering skills. As the week
progresses you can expect to put these skills into practice on
increasingly steeper ground. The days are tailored to suit the
abilities of the group, along with your aspirations. The venues
chosen by the staff always take account of the prevailing weather
and snow conditions. The course finishes at 6pm on Friday evening. If you need to leave earlier it may not be possible to take part in the activities
that day, as the group may be in the high mountains. You are not
booked into the hotel for the Friday night unless you indicate on
the Booking Form that you would like us to reserve dinner, bed
and breakfast for you. This arrangement gives you the flexibility to
book accommodation to match your personal travel arrangements.
TRIP COST, DEPOSIT AND INSTALMENTS:
TOTAL TRIP PRICE: €1390
Initial deposit to secure your spot: €250
Second Instalment: €145 October 28th
Remaining balance of €995 to be paid off in own time before December 25th.
FAQ
ABILITY
Before attending a Scottish Winter Course, you should ensure that you are fit enough to take part in the full programme. Winter mountaineering and climbing is extremely arduous, even under mild conditions. The fitter you are, the more you will benefit from the course. Each day, you can expect to be in the mountains carrying a rucksack of 10Kgs, for at least 7 hours, during which time you may walk 10 miles and climb 1,000m of cumulative ascent. You need to consider the effect of doing this on cumulative days. If you do not have any mountains on your doorstep by which to gauge your fitness, then we would recommend regular running, swimming, walking or cycling in preparation for your course. As a general guide, you should aim to build up to doing two or three sessions of aerobic exercise during the week, with at least one tougher session each week, at the weekend.
TRANSPORT
We will encourage and facilitate a whatsapp group to discuss transport options from the aiport. The hotel is 12 miles south of Fort William, which is well served by Rail, including a sleeper service.
Buses leave Glasgow from Buchanan Street Station and the airport. You can download the Citylink Glasgow/Skye timetable via this link:
https://www.citylink.co.uk/media/3icot4n5/glasgow-uig-apr23.pdf
Call Citylink on 0871 266 33 33. We advise that you book your tickets in advance to guarantee your seat, as the buses can get quite busy.
For local taxi companies recommended by the Ballachulish Hotel for travel from Fort William to the hotel, please call 01855 811 764 or 01855 821 428.
REFUNDS & CANCELLATION
i. A cancellation of your spot from the day you book your spot will incur a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
ii. 42 days or more before the course starts – loss of €145 deposit instalment and a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
iii. less than 42 days but more than 21 days before the course starts – 50% of total course cost and a €50 cancellation administrative fee.
iiii. less than 21 days before the course starts – 100% of the total course cost.
No transfers of your spot onto another course.