Winter Mountaineering and Hill Walking Skills

Introductory Winter Mountaineering Weekend- Lake District - guided by Winky O'Neale

Dates: phone for weekend and midweek dates in February 079909 10258

Cost: £120 excluding accommodation
Accommodation at Old Farmhouse Moorfoot Clifton Penrith £35 - £40 per person B&B and packed lunch.

Who is it suitable for? Anyone who already has Summer hill walking experience and wants to build confidence and skills for tackling winter conditions in the hills. We will cover security on winter terrain, navigation, route choice, winter equipment selection.
There will be sessions on ice axe arrest, use of crampons and an ice axe on steeper terrain. We would cover avalanche risk and assessment.
We would also aim to do a hill walk on both days incorporating the skills learned.

What special equipment would be needed?

 Waterproof boots, either leather or Gore-Tex with a stiffer sole (they do not need to be rigid). They need to be able to take crampons so should not be too soft or bendy. A stiffer boot is safer, more secure, better for kicking steps. Ask for advice if you are unsure!
Waterproof jacket and over trousers. Over trousers with zips are best (easier to get over boots).
Warm thermal layers and fleece top, with a hood is always more cosy! A waist coat (fleece or pertex is always useful). Keep adding the layers!
Fleece or wool hat, something that won’t blow off!
Two pairs of gloves at least. Wind stopper material gloves are very practical. Mittens are a good warm back up. Ski type gloves are warm but can be expensive. It’s very comforting to have a spare pair of gloves in your rucksack!
Gaiters are pretty essential in winter. Keeps snow out of boots.
Something warm for the neck. A “Buff” is just the job. Better than a scarf.
A rucksack of 30 to 35 litres. No need to be huge but large enough to fit extra winter kit. A waterproof rucksack liner... it could be as inexpensive as a bin bag.
Skiing goggles or sunglasses. Help keep wind, snow out of eyes or sun from dazzling.
Thermos flask
Head torch or just an ordinary light hand held one.
Personal first aid especially blister kit.
Walking poles (very useful)
Compass welcome if you have one.
Crampons and ice axes can be hired.

Group numbers. Minimum 2. Maximum 6

This itinerary is weather and conditions dependent. It is not set in stone! It will need to be flexible to take account for weather conditions and clients abilities, aspirations.
The days are generally long and strenuous.

SCOTLAND 2012

Five days winter skills guided by Winky O'Neale
Dates: Sunday 26th Feb until Thursday 1st March
Cost: £350 for the five days introductory Scottish winter mountaineering course plus accommodation costs (NB If 2 or more people book on this course then the price will be reduced per person)

Winter hill walking in the North West Highlands.
Equipment can be hired from Winky: Ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet.

Full Itinerary will be on website in January or Winky can email it to you.
We can arrange to collect you from bus/railway stations.
We can suggest a range of accommodation with a choice of b&b or youth hostel accommodation in Ratagan.
Group numbers. Minimum 1. Maximum 6

DATES FOR OTHER WINTER COURSES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST:
Phone Winky on: 07734051867