
Winter HillWalking in Scotland
With our winters becoming ever more sporadic with climate change; the typical winter season can last anywhere from mid October to early May. In winter we work on a ratio of 1:6.
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In winter the difficulties escalate with poor visibility making navigation difficult, extreme weather, avalanche hazard and potential for hard snow conditions requiring the need for proper winter equipment (ice axe and crampons) and the correct knowledge of how to use them absolutely essential for safe travel. Our team are here to help with this and provide the instruction and guidance required to ensure you have the skills and equipment required to optimise your chances of success and enjoyment!
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Scotland in Winter
Winter SKills Courses
Learn the skills to safely adventure in Scotland's landscape in winter. Negotiate additional problems: including avalanche hazards, poor visibility, inclement weather and safeguarding yourself with an ice axe and crampons. Join us on a 1-5 day course to experience Scotland in its most amazing form!
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The Day:
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For new winter walkers we suggest a day of winter skills training.
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0830 meet at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre (paid parking)
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Expect to be on the hill for 6-10 hours
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1600(ish) Finish back at Visitor centre ​
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Difficulty: Variable
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What we provide:
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A guided day out with a local qualified and insured Winter Mountain Leader.
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What we don't provide:
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Packed Lunch
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Transport to the venue - we're happy to suggest reliable local cab numbers
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Accommodation
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Personal Kit
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Winter Equipment Hire (B2 Boots, Crampons, Ice Axe) - we're happy to help you book this.
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Winter Skills COurses!
Ben NEvis in Winter
Lochaber in the West Highlands is home to some of the biggest mountains in the UK. Ben Nevis is the tallest mountain in the UK sitting at 1345m tall. It is famed internationally for reasons extending far beyond this, Ben Nevis arguably being the ancestral home of modern meteorology with the twenty non stop years of recorded weather data at its summit. Its ideal habitat for rare Arctic and Alpine plants being a draw to botanists and its interesting bird life. The home of the sandwich stealing, bag raiding ravens, the elegant dancing snow bunting and the croaking Ptarmagin. When contrasted with the outrageous views, it makes for a day to remember!
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Ben Nevis Mountain Path refers to the easiest and most popular route to the summit. Commonly also referred to as the "tourist track" or "pony track". So called because it was originally built as a means of resupplying a weather observatory and hotel in the late 1800's and has 140 years later drastically changed with an approximate 130,000 people venturing onto the mountain each year. The majority of which by this very route! The climb takes an approximate 6-10 hours dependant on your fitness. The terrain is steep and rocky and a return trip car to car is 17km with 1300m of vertical ascent.
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With our winters becoming ever more sporadic with climate change; the typical winter season can last anywhere from mid October to early May. In winter we work on a ratio of 1:6.
​
In winter the difficulties escalate with poor visibility making navigation difficult, extreme weather, avalanche hazard and potential for hard snow conditions making the need for proper winter equipment (ice axe and crampons) and the correct knowledge of how to use them absolutely essential for safe travel. Our guides are here to help with this and provide the instruction and guidance required to ensure you have the skills and equipment required to optimise your chances of success and enjoyment!
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​The Day:
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Ben Nevis Mountain Path (aka. Pony Track/ Tourist Path)
6-10 hours, 17km, 1300m vertical ascent, graded: moderate+
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For new winter walkers we suggest a day of winter skills training (+ £250-£300)
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0830 meet at the Ben Nevis Visitor Centre (paid parking)
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Expect to be on the hill for 6-10 hours
-
1600(ish) Finish back at Visitor centre ​
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Difficulty: Moderate+
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What we provide:
-
A guided day out with a local qualified and insured Winter Mountain Leader.
​
What we don't provide:
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Packed Lunch
-
Transport to the venue - we're happy to suggest reliable local cab numbers
-
Accommodation
-
Personal Kit
-
Winter Equipment Hire (B2 Boots, Crampons, Ice Axe) - we're happy to help you book this.
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OR
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Carn Mor Dearg Arête (aka. CMD Arête)
8-10+ hours, ​17.5km, 1500m vertical ascent, grade 1 scramble/ winter climb, graded: hard.
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In winter the CMD is a more complex day, requiring solid winter skills and fitness to complete the route safely. Therefore all members of the party should be very familiar and confident with the use of an ice axe and crampons. It is likely I will ask any potential participants to book a winter skills day with us prior to a guided attempt on the CMD.
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The Day:
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Meet at the North Face Car Park
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Expect to be on the hill for 8+ hours
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Difficulty: Hard
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What we provide:
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A guided day out with a local qualified and Winter Mountain Leader (minimum).
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What we don't provide:
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Packed Lunch
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Transport to the venue
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Accommodation
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Personal Kit + Winter Equipment (B2 boots Ice axe, Crampons)
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We can help arrange kit hire and a taxi
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