Winter Skills Training Courses January 2010
The Glenmore Lodge Winter Skills Courses are again being offered to members at a discounted price. Over 100 course places with a discount off the normal price for all members of the MCofS. Sponsored by sportscotland and Glenmore Lodge.
For general enquiries or to check availability please contact:
Glenmore Lodge Tel: 01479 861 256
Course Dates
Friday 15th – Sunday 17th January 2010
Friday 22nd – Sunday 24th January 2010
The courses are two days long, the dates show the evening of arrival (Friday after 18.30 hours). The first item on the programme is a welcome talk at 08.15 hours on Saturday after breakfast. The courses end at 17.00 hours on Sunday. There are two levels of course, they will run concurrently on the same dates.
Introduction to Winter Hill Skills: Cost £170
Covers the basic skills of walking with axe and crampons, ice axe self arrest, navigation, winter safety, avalanche avoidance, and much more (conditions permitting); it will not involve any use of ropes. The staffing ratio is 1:6
Introduction to Winter Mountaineering Skills: Cost £200
Training in winter skills at a more advanced level involving basic rope work and looking at winter belays (conditions permitting). You should already have some basic winter walking skills; experience of rope handling is useful but not essential. It is not a winter climbing course but is aimed at developing the skills of winter walkers looking to take on some of the classic lower grade mountaineering routes and ridges in winter. The staffing ratio is 1:4.
We cannot always guarantee sufficient snow to cover all aspects that we would like to but we will offer relevant training and you are guaranteed some individual tuition.
COURSE ADMINISTRATION
Cost includes accommodation on Friday and Saturday nights in either twin rooms on a shared basis or in our chalets in bunk bedded accommodation, all meals from breakfast on Saturday to tea and cake at 17.00 hours on Sunday, instruction, hire of equipment and transport during the course to the hill and back.
There is no evening meal provided on Friday, bar meals are available from the Glenmore Lodge bar from 17.00 to 20.45 hours. The stores will be open on Friday evening for equipment issue and crampon fitting (stores will also be open from 08.30 to 09.00 hours on Saturday morning).
The courses are only open to those 18 years of age and older.
Equipment
An important note about boots.
As you will not be following paths and may be on steep and hard snow to provide some realism to the training, it is essential to be properly shod. If you have your own good quality rigid soled 3 – 4 season boots and a well-fitting pair of crampons which definitely will not come off, you will be able to use them. Otherwise, you will be supplied with plastic rigid soled winter boots and crampons. Secure footwork is the cornerstone of safe winter travel and it is one of the skills that will be covered on the course. Rigid boots with soles in good condition are essential for secure footwork. This is a major safety issue.
You will need to bring a map of the Northern Cairngorms area, OS 1:50,000, or 1:25,000 or Harvey 1:40,000, a map case or waterproof map, a compass of the Silva type 4 or similar quality, a head torch and batteries, a thermos and a bag or box for your packed lunches, and lastly, several pairs of winter mitts and waterproof outer mittens. You should have your own basic warm winter clothing, fleeces etc. Maps, map cases and compasses are available for purchase from Glenmore Lodge shop.
We can supply basic waterproofs, ice axe, boots, crampons and any other technical equipment.
Bookings and Conditions
These courses are only advertised in The Scottish Mountaineer magazine and MCofS website and are only available to MCofS members. Please complete the application form and return it to Glenmore Lodge with the full payment. Any cancellation before six weeks of the start date of the course will result in the loss of a £35 administration charge, the remaining course fee being returned. This fee will also be charged should you decide to change your booking to a different person, date or course level.
Cancellation within six weeks of the course will result in the loss of the full course fee unless the place can be sold to another MCofS member, in which case the fee less the £35 administration charge will be refunded. If the Course is cancelled for any reason Glenmore Lodge will refund the course fee in full.
Applications will only be accepted on the application form with a membership number or club details. Applications must be sent to Glenmore Lodge not the MCofS. Cheques made payable to “Glenmore Lodge” please.
Should you wish to stay overnight on Sunday this can be arranged subject to availability on a B&B basis, there is no evening meal on Sunday but bar meals will again be available in the Lodge bar. Please tick the box on the application form and add £24 to the course fee. If we are unable to fit you in due to our other course bookings we will refund you this charge.
You are advised to consider taking out your own insurance to cover cancellation, curtailment and personal accident (one website to consider is www.adrenalinetravelinsurance.co.uk)
Affiliated club members and group bookings.
Clubs are advised that we can only accept individual bookings (with payment). Group bookings have caused problems in the past and we can no longer deal with these issues. Club secretaries should ensure that all the information on this page is passed to their members and not simply the booking form. It is essential that members understand what the course will cover.