Alpine Mountaineering

To most people, it is in the Alpine regions of Europe where true mountaineering can be fully enjoyed as opposed to Scotland. Alpine climbing involves the full range of mountaineering skills detailed earlier with the added issue of glacier passage and the need to be able to ‘move together’ whilst roped in order to protect each other from the possible consequences of a fall, but allow faster movement to cover the longer distances involved.

Moving Together:

This is a vital skill in mountaineering, especially on longer climbs as well as ensuring safe movement over glaciers. The MCofS / BMC Alpine Essentials DVD covers these skills and can be ordered from this website.

Moving together can also feature on the longer climbs in Scotland such as Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis, The Cuillin Ridge on Skye and The Aonach Eagach in Glen Coe.

A feature article, Jack and Jill Climb Tower Ridge will give you an introduction to what it entails.

Coping with deep snow:

Covering longer distances over snow covered ground can be easier with skis and the essential skills involved and help on where to go to get experience can be found on the ‘Getting Started’ page.

Another useful item of gear to help ease your walking over deep snow is Snow Shoes. Not items regularly found in use on the Scottish hills in winter (regarded as something of an old fashioned piece of kit), they have recently be re-designed for modern use and with experience they can make light work of deep snow.

See the article entitled Snow Shoeing, the Forgotten Art.

Alpine Courses:

• Jonathan Conville Trust Alpine Courses
• BMC Alpine Courses

Reciprocal Rights Card:

MCofS members and members of clubs can apply for a Reciprocal Rights Card to obtain discounts at Alpine huts.  Click here for details.