Firbush Point Field Centre Winter Outdoor Programme 2010 WINTER MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS & CROSS COUNTRY SKIING Navigation and Winter Mountaineering Skills Courses, weekends, Friday-Sunday 5 7 Feb 2010 E.U. Mountaineering Club and Open to All 12 14 Feb 2010 Open to All 26 28 Feb 2010 E.U. Hillwalking Club Cost: EU Students 83.00, EU Staff, Other Univ Staff/Students and CSE Members 93.00, EU Alumni 103.00, Non-University 113.00 plus transport Winter Mountaineering Skills courses are aimed at beginners and those with some experience of winter walking who wish to develop or extend their personal skills. The weekend course will include practical mountain sessions which will focus on precision navigation, route-finding, self-arrest techniques using the ice axe, and crampon practice if conditions are suitable. Topics for evening lectures include; snow structure, avalanche, navigation and hypothermia. Two of the above courses are being offered for members of the Edinburgh University Mountaineering Club and Hillwalking Club (special discount for club members). Applications for these courses should be made directly to your Sports Union Club Secretary, c/o Sports Union Office, 48 Pleasance. Navigation and Winter Mountaineering Skills Courses mid-week, Monday-Wednesday no transport provided 25 27 January 2010 15 17, 22 24 February 2010 1 3, 8 10 March 2010 These mid-week courses start on a Monday evening and run until 1630 on Wednesday, departing after high tea. They are being offered during term-time as well as the traditional five-day winter mountaineering skills course held during the first week of Spring Break. The two-day courses will follow the weekend syllabus, where the focus will be on precision navigation, route-finding, self-arrest techniques using the ice axe, and crampon practice. Cost: 70.00 EU Students, 83.00 all other participants no transport provided 5-Day Navigation and Winter Mountaineering Skills Course Friday 26 Wednesday 31 March 2010 This 5-day Winter Mountaineering course (during the Spring Break) extends the weekend/mid-week syllabus to include security on steep ground and snow shelter construction. If conditions are suitable the last night of this course will be spent in a snow-hole. Cost: EU Students 156.00, EU Staff, Other Univ. Staff/Students and CSE Members 176.00, EU Alumni 196.00, Non-University 216.00 plus transport
Firbush Winter Outdoor Programme 2010 Accommodation Only during mid-weeks/weekends no transport or instruction provided Accommodation only weekends/mid-weeks during January, February and March. If you are a winter Munro bagger or simply wish to get away on a short break, why not take advantage of this special offer. Cost: EU Staff and other categories for 2-night stay (Friday - Sunday) or (Monday - Wednesday) 73.00 Cost: EU Students 60.00. Cost includes, dinner, B&B & packed lunch no transport or instruction provided Cross Country Skiing Course weekend Friday-Sunday 5 7 March 2010 All Levels irrespective of the amount of prior experience This weekend course is aimed at individuals with some hill walking experience who are physically fit for long days of continuous skiing over mixed terrain. You should be accustomed to wild weather and alert to the possibility that you may be required to walk over rough ground for half-an-hour or more to get to the snow. Accordingly the structure of the skiing activity will depend on where the snow lies and the weather conditions on the hill. A combination of skill learning in a class setting and touring over undulating terrain is the most common pattern of instruction and a comprehensive evening programme will support practical hill sessions. If you are cross country skiing for the first time some downhill skiing experience would be an advantage. Cost: EU Students 83.00, EU Staff, Other Univ Staff/Students and CSE Members 93.00, EU Alumni 103.00, Non-University 113.00 plus transport. If Cross Country Skiing is not possible during your stay due to bad weather or poor snow conditions participants will be eligible for a 10 refund. An alternative programme will be provided focusing on related skills such as ski maintenance, mountain navigation and route-finding skills. To Apply Complete the appropriate application forms and submit with the full payment to the Firbush Office, which is located in the administration block at the Centre for Sport and Exercise, 46 Pleasance. Office hours are 9am-2pm Monday, 9am-5pm on Tuesday-Friday. Applications can be left at Reception at the Centre for Sport & Exercise outwith the Firbush Office hours. Firbush Transport is provided at a cost of 16.50 per person for the return journey. Guests should meet at the Sports Centre car park, Centre for Sport & Exercise, 46 Pleasance at 1700 hrs on Friday and transport will leave at 1715 hrs. If travelling independently please aim to arrive at Firbush between 1845 and 1930 hrs in time for the evening meal, which is at 2000 hrs. Optional Personal Accident Insurance is available at a cost of 3.47 per person and if you wish to take out this cover please complete the appropriate form. A declaration form will be forwarded to you when we receive your application, please complete and take this form with you to Firbush. It is important to read the details about Firbush on the reverse side of this form. If you have any queries about your application please do not hesitate to contact the Firbush Office. Tel 0131 650 2594 or email Firbush.Office@ed.ac.uk Payment Details - Course Fee/Firbush Transport @ 16.50/Optional Personal Accident Insurance @ 3.47. Payments can be made by cheque (payable to The University of Edinburgh) or by credit/debit card. Check out our website for more information about what s available at Firbush www.ed.ac.uk/sport/firbush
Programme for 2-Day Mountaineering and Cross Country Skiing Courses Arrival Evening 1700 Group meets at Sports Centre car park 1715 Depart for Firbush 1930 Group arrives at Firbush 2000 Evening Meal 2100 Equipment Issue 2130 Evening Lecture 2215 Bar Opens 2300 Bar Closes 2355 Lights out in Main Building Day One 0800 Rise 0830 Breakfast 0900 Make packed lunch/fill flasks 0915 Depart for hill 1700 Return to Firbush 1900 Evening Meal 2015 Evening Lecture 2100 Bar Opens 2300 Bar Closes 2355 Lights out in Main Buildings Day Two Daily routine as day one 1600 Equipment return 1630 High tea 1715 Depart for Edinburgh NB. Mid-week course participants need to arrange their own transport. Arrival time 1830 at Firbush. Programme for 5-Day Mountaineering Course - programme and extended kit list for the 5- day winter skills course will be sent out separately. Equipment You do not need to buy equipment especially for these courses; we have many items of equipment available to borrow from the Firbush store. You are welcome to bring your own equipment if you have it and our instructors will check this for suitability on the arrival evening. If you want to buy specialist equipment such as ice axe or crampons or skis, it may be prudent to wait until after the course. You will be better able to assess the merits of the different types of hardware available after you have completed the course. See Equipment Lists. What else to bring? Pack a bag for an away weekend ensuring that you have sufficient spare clothes to protect yourself from the ravages of the Scottish winter climate. Where possible, it is advisable to wear several thin layers to enable control of the wide variation in body heat during hill-walking and skiing activities. A flexible clothing underlayer/several insulation layers/shell layer is best. Clothes need to tuck well in at the waist for your added comfort. Firbush provides a bed with a duvet cover and linen so there is no need to bring a sleeping bag (unless on the 5 day course). But remember to bring your toothbrush, toilet bag and towel. If you want to carry a hot drink on the hill, then bring your own thermos flask.
Equipment Lists all items marked with an * are available on loan from Firbush Winter Mountaineering Skills (2 Day) Clothing Winter walking trousers (warm and quick-drying) Base Layer (with wicking properties) Long sleeve top & leggings Fleece Mid-layer (thin) Outer fleece (wind proof qualities are warmer) Outerwear Waterproof Jacket (with hood)* Waterproof Trousers* (can be put on without taking boots off!) Hat (windproof is warmer) and spare (balaclava*) Neck gaiter (for face protection) Waterproof gloves (mitts* are warmer but awkward if working with hands) Spare gloves & Liner gloves Rucksack* (mid sized i.e. 35-50 litres) Compass & Whistle* Map* (in map case) Watch with stopwatch function (essential for navigation) Ski goggles (double lens are best) Sunglasses Walking Poles (personal preference) Safety Gear Headtorch, plus spare batteries/bulb* (limited supply available to borrow) Flask (unbreakable) and or water bottle* (limited supply available to borrow) Bivi/Survival bag* Blister Kit /small first aid kit Footwear Winter Walking Boots* 3-4 season that have the rating B1 or above Walking Socks (Non cotton socks with warmth and cushioning properties) Gaiters* Spare laces Hardwear Walking Ice axe* 12 point crampons* B1 or above (compatible with boots and a good fit) Cross Country Skiing (2-day) Clothing Winter walking trousers / (warm and quick-drying) Base Layer (with wicking properties) Long sleeve top & leggings Fleece Mid-layer (thin) Outer fleece (wind proof qualities are warmer) Outerwear Waterproof Jacket (with hood)* Waterproof Trousers* (can be put on without taking boots off!) Hat (windproof is warmer) and spare (balaclava*) Neck gaiter (for face protection) Waterproof ski gloves (finger type more convenient for working with hands) Spare gloves & Liner gloves Rucksack* (mid sized i.e. 35-50 litres) Ski goggles (double lens are best) Sunglasses Safety Gear Head torch, plus spare batteries/bulb* (limited supply available to borrow) Flask (unbreakable) and or water bottle* (limited supply available to borrow) Bivi/Survival bag* Blister Kit /small first aid kit Footwear Walking Socks (Non cotton socks with warmth and cushioning properties) Gaiters* Hardwear (all items supplied at Firbush) Skis* Boots*
Poles*
Winter Outdoor Programme 2010 Application Form Firbush Course... Date applied for. Name (Prof/Dr/Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms).... University Dept Address & Staff Number / Student Matric Number..... Home Address Phone (work) Phone (home).email Age. Very Fit Above Average Average Below Average Fitness Level of Participation (experience and qualifications).. Special Dietary Requirements (vegetarian/vegan/etc). Transport Requirements Firbush Minibus Own Transport For Cross Country Ski applications only Previous Nordic ski experience? None Up to 5 days More than 5 days Previous Downhill ski experience? None Up to 5 days More than 5 days Applications must be accompanied by the full course fee, see Methods of Payment, and send to: Firbush Office Centre for Sport & Exercise University of Edinburgh 46 Pleasance Edinburgh EH8 9TJ Conditions This course requires full payment at the time of registration. Cancellations will be accepted with a 50% retention up to 4 weeks prior to commencement of the course. After this date we regret that we will be unable to refund any cancellations. Methods of Payment (course fee/transport @ 16.50/optional personal accident insurance @ 3.47) 1. Cash or Cheque made payable to The University of Edinburgh 2. Credit/Debit card please tick box and we will contact you for details Date of Application Signature