Winter Skills Courses
Its been a challenging week weather-wise for our first Winter Skills Courses of the Scottish Winter season. We’ve had a really fun and productive week, though there were a few days when everyone was wet though to their pants!
We started off with return clients Stuart and Peter for a couple of days in Glencoe. With the guys heading over from Northern Ireland to see us we were keen to get straight into it, building on what they learnt last year.. On our first day we headed to Buchaille Etive Mor, and despite a depleting snow line, we found good fun up in the Coire. A wet day to say the least and no views, but full credit to the guys for getting straight back into it! Day 2 saw us head up into Stob Coire Nan Lochan. Stuart and Peter put a big effort in to get to the summit, and despite no views yet again, vowed to return again for more next year! Cheers for a really fun weekend guys despite the grim weather!
Winter Skills Course in Glencoe., on Buchaille Etive Mor
It was then straight in to a 5 day Winter Skills Course with Ian and Jodie. With the luxury of 5 days we have the ability to really get into lots of coaching, making sure Courses participants leave with a whole host of new or enhanced skills, hopefully with the he ability to go in to the Winter Hills on their own.
We had a full day of Navigation practise in Glen Nevis. With both Ian and Jodie being trainee MLs, we were keen to push their bearings, pacing, timings and contour interpretation to the limits! Some mock ML Assessment legs and a bit of fauna and flora made for a really pleasant day.
Navigation practise in Glen Nevis
We got to Nevis Range ski area for the start of the second day, only to see the gondola closed as we arrived! They guys took it on the chin (me less so!) and we took the long walk up! The wind had come in earlier than predicted but we found a sheltered spot to practise moving on snow and using an ice axe to keep us safe. Having the Hill to ourselves other than a Mountain Hare and the SAIS forecaster was nice!
Winter Skills Course on Aonach Mor
With Jodie feeling under the weather it was just Ian and myself, aiming to summit his first Munro on his 30th birthday.. With some strong winds forecast but finally a some snow falling, we opted for Buchaille Etive Beag. With Ian running each legs Navigation he built on the skills we’d visited on Monday and on the descent we found some neve to get the crampons out and have a look at walking in them. Top views from the summit and a great birthday walk for Ian!
Ian using crampons for the first time on our winter Skills week in Glencoe
With the team back to full strength for day 4, and heavy overnight snow, we couldn’t resist a long day out in the hills. A traverse of Stob Coire Nan Lochan was the plan. The hills were beautiful and white, the winds light and the route perfect. A steeper and more exposed challenge for the guys to push themselves on, and some great navigation practise!
Bit of wading on day 4 of our Winter Skills week in Glencoe
With weary legs and a considerable avalanche hazard, we opted for the beautiful Pap of Glencoe for the last day of our Winter Skills Course with Ian and Jodie. Snow was low down and the weather kind, and a full day of testing Ian on his Navigation and winter mountain decision making ahead! With lots of talk in fauna and flora thrown in, we had a treat on the way up… The little fella below came scuttling over and sat with us whilst we ate our lunch!
The climbing got a bit technical for this fella on our Winter Skills Course this week!
A really fun week was had with Ian and Jodie. I was impressed by how much they pushed their physical and mental comfort zones. Loads was learnt and hopefully they’ll feel confidant to get out and get into the winter hills on their own!
Ian and Jodie on the summit of The Pap on the last day of our Winter Skills Course..