mountain the mountain people SCOTLAND WINTER MOUNTAINEERING SCOTLAND WINTER MOUNTAINEERING

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1 MOUNTAINS/ADVENTURE/TOGETHER SCOTLAND WINTER MOUNTAINEERING We provide high quality teaching and training on winter mountaineering in the Cairngorm area of the Scottish Highlands. A wild and beautiful place, famous for whiteouts and high winds! This trip is for those with some experience in winter walking conditions who want to build on existing knowledge. mountain INTERMEDIATE Map reading in the Cairngorms Read inside for more information SCOTLAND WINTER MOUNTAINEERING THE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE For this trip, please contact: info@the-mountain-people.com K

2 CONTENTS Introduction 3 Quick look 3 What it s all about 4 Previous experience 5 By the end of the course... 5 Instructor Bios 5 Details 6 Dates Price Accommodation Transport Daily programme Kit List 7 Medical & fitness 8 Conditions 8 Safety 8 Booking 9 Cairn Gorm weather station page 2

3 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the 2013 Scotland Winter Mountaineering Course! This is one of our core events, providing adventurous experiences in wild and beautiful places in a context of community. At the heart of all our events is the desire to foster good relationships, live sustainably and enjoy the fullness of life. You may have been on a winter skills course before or done some independent winter hillwalking, but this is an opportunity to make the next steps towards becoming a mountaineer. By that we mean working on more advanced skills like map reading, some ropework and emergency techniques that will allow you to embark on your adventures whatever the conditions. Needless to say, it will not all be work and no play - we aim to take in some classic summits and ridges with some dramatic and exciting positions along the way. The course will be based out of comfortable and elegant Scottish lodgings, with hearty home cooking, log fires and deep armchairs to sink into at the end of the day. Remember, there are only a limited number of places on this trip, which is often oversubscribed, so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment. QUICK LOOK Dates Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 February 2013 Price (including all food, accommodation, instruction and local transport) Venue Cairngorm National Park, or West Highlands, depending on prevailing conditions Accommodation Comfortable and modern catered lodge within the Cairngorm National Park Transport Inclusive private transport to and from walking venues, including pick-up and drop-off in Aviemore Food All meals during the course are included Equipment Ice axe, crampons and boots can be hired on day one at a local shop. See page 7 for full kit list. page 3

4 WHAT IT S ALL ABOUT The Scottish Highlands contain the UK s only Arctic habitat the Cairngorm plateau. At an average altitude of over 4000 feet, it is an incredibly harsh environment, and yet very fragile. Its altitude and easterly location mean that it attracts the harshest winter conditions. This is one reason why we choose to venture here. Compared with increasingly regulated work environments and pastimes, the Scottish Highlands provide a refreshing amount of freedom and, of course, are stunningly beautiful in good conditions. In bad weather, the power of the elements is equally breath-taking. However, adventures are best shared, which is another key reason for our trip. By journeying through amazing scenery and facing challenges together, we go deeper in our friendships. We have also chosen our accommodation and the week s itinerary carefully so that there are opportunities to relax together with fellow participants. Eating together and talking over the day s adventures in a comfortable and relaxing place adds to the unique fellowship that we share on this course. Descending off Fiacaill Ridge page 4

5 PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE If you have some winter walking experience or done a intro winter skills course, and can navigate in summer then this is the course for you! AFTER THIS TRIP YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO... Winter Mountaineering learning outcomes: Feel confident that your winter skills are refreshed and consolidated (using ice axe and crampons) Go out safely in the hills: taking precautions against avalanches (using avalanche reports, digging hasty pit) Move independently: navigate proficiently and walk without the need of a guide Discover and explore more remote and less frequented areas, such as the classic Aonach Eagach ridge and Devil s Ridge Tackle a Grade I gully or similar steep ground INSTRUCTOR BIOS Des has worked for over 20 years in Scotland, the Alps, South America and the Moroccan High Atlas. He is from Ireland and particularly enjoys a Guinness after an adventurous walk, snowshoeing or winter mountaineering trip! Des is the author of Mountaineering in the Moroccan High Atlas, published by Cicerone. He is an IML (International Mountain Leader), and dreams of one day owning an eagle. James is our friendly Californian instructor, and is no stranger to the Scottish mountain scene. Whilst gaining experience for his WML (Winter Mountain Leader), he spent a month sleeping out in a bivvy bag in the coldest winter for 20 years! James has been living in Morocco for the last 3 years and has enjoyed trekking, walking and climbing in the High Atlas mountains. He is working towards the highest UK award, Mountaineering Instructor Certificate. Fresh snow on???????? page 5

6 DETAILS Dates Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 February Sunday and Saturday will be travel days, leaving five days (Monday to Friday) for the mountains. Price The cost is per person, which includes everything (food, accommodation, transport, etc.) except ice axe and crampon hire, which you can personally hire prior to the commencement of the course. Whilst lunch is provided on the course, you might like to bring your own personal snacks and drinks for the mountains. A deposit of can be paid to reserve your place on the trip, with the balance paid in full six weeks prior to the commencement of the course (by 30 December 2012). Accommodation We privately lease local lodges or houses near to Newtonmore from which we run our courses. Accommodation is well equipped and linen and towels are provided. As with last year we will have a resident cook and housekeeper, so all you ll need to do is pitch in with the washing up! Transport You will need to get yourself to Aviemore train station by 5:00pm on Sunday 10 February to take you to the accommodation. Alternatively, you can arrange your own transport directly, in which case, please let us know your arrangements. We will drop you off in Aviemore on Saturday 16 February to make your way home. Transportation is provided throughout the course to and from walking locations. Daily programme 07h00 Breakfast and make lunch 08h00 Briefing on day s activities & objectives 08h30 Depart for activities 16h00 Return 16h30 Tea & cakes and review 18h00 Evening meal 20h00 Optional evening lecturette or activity Please note: this is a rough timetable and conditions will dictate how closely it is Fresh observed snow on???????? page 6

7 KIT LIST ESSENTIAL Thermal underwear, warm hat/balaclava Two warm fleeces Warm trousers Waterproof trousers and jacket Mountaineering/ski socks Two pairs of gloves Rucksack (40-60 litres) Mountaineering boots Ice axe and crampons Helmet and head torch Compass Big screwgate carabiner, medium sling Ski goggles Water bottle Small first aid kit for personal use NOTES One to wear, one spare to carry in rucksack Technical hillwalking trousers best, no jeans Try to avoid ski jacket, if possible Gloves get wet quickly, so a spare will keep fingers warm. One pair must be waterproof B1 or above, compatible with crampons - can be hired Can be hired With spare batteries HMS type carabiner, 180cm size sling Avoid Camelbak or Platypus as they tend to freeze up Including any personal medication OPTIONAL Thermos flask, walking poles, sun cream, sunglasses, gaiters, map, map case, wristwatch altimeter Avalanche awareness! page 7

8 MEDICAL & FITNESS Winter mountaineering is very physically demanding, therefore a good level of fitness is required. We would stress that this is an active holiday: five days of consolidated walking and teaching from 8 am to 4 pm daily. We recommend you allocate a day extra after the course to ease back into work. If you are concerned about your fitness, we suggest that you consider going swimming, jogging or cycling a few times a week. If time and space are an issue, you could try the excellent 5BX program: Please make any medical conditions or dietary needs known in the registration forms. In order to get the most from the course you should have some summer hillwalking experience in the UK. CONDITIONS The Cairngorm area is a high plateau far away from the prevailing Atlantic westerlies. Consequently the Cairngorm area provides relatively reliable winter conditions. Be prepared though for very high winds and consequently very cold conditions. It is not uncommon for people to have to crawl on the plateau because the wind is so strong. You may also expect to walk in cloud which is cold and damp, with low visability. SAFETY The safety of participants is of paramount concern to The Mountain People staff. Inevitably, there is some risk inherent in this course. This risk is minimised by the staff s knowledge, experience and training and the participants co-operation in maintaining all safety standards and procedures. First aid provision by qualified staff is available throughout the course. The Mountain People reserves the right to take individuals off the course if they consider it necessary. All our instructors have years of combined experience in Scottish winters. Fresh snowy scenes page 8

9 BOOKING 'To book your place on this course, please fill out the following online registration: You may be contacted regarding medical/health/prior experience related concerns. Booking Conditions For more information about our booking conditions, please see: Payment You will need to pay a deposit of , which is due when you fill in the online registration. The remainder should be paid by 30 December 2012, six weeks before the start of the course. You can pay online via PayPal or bank transfer. To ensure we know what your payment is for, please insert the reference: [INSERT YOUR SURNAME] SWM13, e.g. SMITH SWM13 PayPal: Please send your payment via PayPal to: bookings@the-mountain-people.com Online Bank Transfer: Please for this information: bookings@the-mountain-people.com Taking in the Scottish views page 9

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