City Mountaineering – Guided Mountain Trips from Manchester

This 4-day/3-night trip will provide practical learning in the necessary skills required for mountain hiking in the winter, pre-adventure planning to the practical skills required to journey safely in the winter mountain environment.

whether you are new to winter mountaineering, or just need to dust off the cobwebs, this practical trip will cover everything you need to know in order to stay as safe as possible in the mountains

Covered on the trip will include:

• Pre-trip planning (the stuff you do in the comfort of your own home)
• General Safety and risk mitigation
• Weather forecasting and awareness
• Avalanche awareness
• Winter navigation
• Safe use of crampons and ice axe
• Movement techniques on snow and ice
• Ice Axe arrest (the use of you ice axe if you were to fall and slide down a slope - don't worry, this is done in a safe area and is a lot of fun!
• Constructing and using show anchors
• Building an emergency shelter in the snow
• Building (and sleeping in) a snow hole

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ITINERARY
The specific itinerary and order of events may change based on weather and ground conditions at the time (the classroom day will take place on the worst weather day of the trip)
Thursday (from 8am) - Meet your guide outside Aviemore train station and head to a local cafe for a trip briefing over breakfast before heading out to the mountains for some snowy fun.
Covered on this day will include:

• understanding the snow pack
• basic winter navigation
• safe use of ice axe and crampons
• self-arrest using an ice axe
• what to look out for on your winter journey
• Journey to a local summit

At the end of the day you will check-in to your accommodation for showers before heading to a local pub with your guide for dinner.
Friday - A classroom day of understanding planning and preparation for winter adventures. Covered on this day will include:

• understanding weather forecasts
• understanding avalanche forecasts
• winter terrain traps
• safe route planning
• common mistakes and how to avoid them

Saturday - A second day hiking in the winter wonderland. Covered on this day will include:

• recap on previous days learning
• self-arrest using an ice axe
• building an emergency shelter
• develop more advenaced winter navigation skills
• building a snow hole (if conditions allow)

Sunday - This day will be used as a recap on previous days learnings and to hone the skills you've been taught over the previous days.

• recap and consolidate course learnings
• self-arrest using an ice axe
• Hike to a local peak

At the end of the day you will return to Aviemore for your onward journey home (expect to arrive at 7pm)
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Cost: 4-days and 3-nights in The Cairngorms National Park for just £545! - Simply RSVP, pay the £100 non-refundable despot and we'll be in contact with more details

INCLUDED

• 3-nights mountain chalet/cottage/hostel accommodation
• 4-days instruction and guidance by a highly experienced and qualified winter mountain leader/guide
• Use of safety equipment (ice axe, crampons and helmet)
• Transport and logistical support from Aviemore train station

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

You've probably heard of The West Highland Way: a 150km long-distance hike from Glasgow to Fort William (the gateway to The Scottish Highlands).

Well, we dont lead this route in the summer due to the shear number of people doing it (it's often referred to as The West Highland HighWay).

We like to do things a little differently at City Mountaineering!
We are leading this trip when the route is quiet: In the middle of Winter!

The shorter days and often slippery under-foot conditions means that this is likely to be a tough week, often with some hiking in the dark. But that's why we love adventure :)

Lead by a highly qualified and experienced Mountain Leader, you will hike from accommodation to accommodaiton whilst your luggage is transferred and ready for you when you arrive!
You will then have access to a warm shower, bed and comfortable clothes each night/day.

This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and all on the shores of our little island. This is a simply breathtaking hike, however a good level of fitness is a must!

You will be hiking long distances for 7-days in a row potentially in the dark and on slippery terrain.
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ITINERARY
Please note that exact timings and order of activities are subject to change, based on the local conditions at the time - The beauty of this trip is that the plans can be loose to allow for uncontrollable factors such as the weather

Friday - Meet outside Glasgow Central Station at 10pm and transported to your hostel accommodation for the night for a full trip briefing, kit check and readying yourself for the days ahead

Saturday - Milngavie to Dryman (19km)
Departing the accommodation, you will head straight out to the trail, heading north towards Loch Lomond

Sunday - Drymen to Rowardennan (23km)
After breakfast, you will continue along the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, walking through ancient woodland and overlooked by the great Ben Lomond

Monday - Rowardennan to Inverarnan (21km)
Today you hike through the most remote area of Loch Lomond as you pass it's most northerly sections. You will then be rewarded with the spectacular 'Inversnaid Waterfall' befoire checking in to your accommodation for the night

Tuesday - Inverarnan to Tyndrum (19km)
Leaving Loch Lomond behind, you will follow the river Falloch through the glen. You have now reached the beginnings of The Scottish Highlands. Continuing up the valley, you will reach your hotel in Tyndrum, your next rest point on the trail.

Wednesday - Tyndrum to Kingshouse (30km)
Leaving relative civilisation for a couple of days, you will continue north up the valley. Following the West Highalnd Railway Line, the day is relatively flat (albeit, the longest day that still continues gradually uphill :)

Thursday - Kingshouse to Kinlochleven (14km)
Hiking over the top of the Glen Coe valley is the where the mountains really impress. You will get sight of probably the most photographed and most striking mountains in The UK: Buachaille Etive Mor.
This day includes the steepest section of the trip as you hike over the zig-zag track of The Devils Staircase and down in to Kinlochleven

Friday - Kinlochleven to Fort William (23km)
Leaving the town through Lairigmor (the great pass), you will soon be in an isolated valley, surrounded by huge mountains that, as the day unfolds, will include Ben Nevis - The highest mountain in The UK!

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Cost: An 7-day/7-night adventure from just £895!
To join us, simply RSVP and pay the £150 despot. We'll then be in contact with more trip information and details on how to pay the balancing amount.

Included in the cost:
- 7-nights hostel/bunkhouse/B&B/Hotel accommodation
- Baggage transfers each day, so you just carry a light day pack
- 7-days guided hiking by a highly experienced and qualified mountain leader
- Breakfast each morning
- All lunches when hiking (unless in a cafe/restaurant/pub)

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

**8 people signed up so far**
*6 male, 2 female*

Join us on the summit of Kilimanjaro; the highest freestanding volcano in the world and the highest point in Africa!!

You've heard of the mountain, you probably know someone that's climbed it... How about reaching the summit of Africa yourself?
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The Mountain and the Route
At 5,895m, The peak of Kilimanjaro is the highest point on the Africa continent and is the highest free-standing volcano in the world.

There are many different routes used to reach the summit and we have chosen one that provides the group with the greatest chance of successfully summiting this wonderful lump of rock.