Winter Skills: Intro (The Cairngorms)

About

This Winter Mountain Skills Course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to move confidently and safely in snow and ice. With a strong emphasis on mountain preparedness, the course covers winter equipment, navigation, avalanche awareness, and emergency procedures. ​ Day one focuses on core skills and safe practices in a winter environment. On day two, we’ll put those skills into action with a mountain journey — potentially summiting a winter Munro such as Cairn Gorm or Ben Macdui, or traversing the Northern Corries — offering the chance to consolidate everything learned in a real-world setting. Gear and Equipment: Learn how to choose and use essential winter clothing, boots, and equipment for cold, wet, and windy conditions. You'll also cover how to correctly fit crampons and use an ice axe,. Navigation Essentials: Develop your map reading and compass skills for navigating in poor visibility. You'll also explore how snow cover affects terrain, route-finding, and overall navigation strategy. All on smaller scale maps - 1:40k & 1:50k. Route Planning & Avalanche Awareness: Understand how to plan safe and realistic routes in winter, with an introduction to avalanche awareness. You'll learn to identify hazardous terrain, interpret avalanche forecasts, and make informed decisions in potentially unstable snow conditions. Snow and Ice Techniques: Practise safe movement on snow-covered slopes, in ascent and descent. Instruction includes the practical use of crampons, ice axes, and key techniques for moving confidently on steep or icy ground. Emergencies on the Hill: Learn how to look after yourself and others in winter emergencies - from insulating against the cold and using group shelters learning how to call Mountain Rescue. https://www.lakedistrictmountaineering.co.uk/scottish-winter-skills-course https://bookwhen.com/ld-mountaineering/e/ev-s97b-20260214000000