City Mountaineering - Reading

Let's explore the Scottish Highlands in their full winter glory!

The specific itinerary for this trip will be determined when weather and ground conditions are known but, we will essentially meet at Inverness airport and drive to the best conditions at that time (For those that follow City Mountaineering on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/citymountaineering/), this will be more akin to the weekday hikes we do in our spare time - Chase the best weather for the best days out!)

No prior winter mountaineering experience is required and full instruction will be provided on the use of the equipment and the skills required to keep safe in the winter environment

Whether you are new to winter mountaineering, or just want to get away for the week, this trip will cover everything you need to get your winter mountaineering fix and full instruction will be provided in order to stay as safe as possible in the mountains

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Covered on the trip will include:

- General Safety (pre-trip planning, in-trip planning and risk mitigating)
- Weather 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
- Ascend 3-6 Munros (Scottish mountains) in full winter conditions

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Itinerary
Monday (from 6pm) - Meet outside Euston railway station and board the train for a relaxing jounrey to Scotland. You will be met in Glasgow and transferred to your accommodation for a trip briefing - hostel accommodation

Tuesday-Thursday - A journey through the winter wonderland to practice/learn winter hiking skills (appropriate and safe use of ice axe and crampons) while reaching the summit of a local mountain. We will then check the weather to determine where we go and what we climb next!

Friday - After a relaxed breakfast we will make our way to Inverness for your return home (expect to arrive in Inverness at 2pm)

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To join this trip, making the most of the Scottish Winter conditions, simply RSVP, pay the £495 and we'll be in contact with further details.
Full and immediate refund offered if Covid restrictions force the cancellation of the trip.

What's included
- 4-nights accommodation
- Train to Glasgow (note: you will need to book your own travel back from Inverness)
- 3-days instruction and guided hiking by an experienced and qualified mountain leader
- Use of safety equipment (ice axe, crampons and helmet)
- Breakfasts and Lunches
- All transport and logistical support from Glasgow to Inverness

You may have climbed it in the summer, but an ascent of Ben Nevis in winter provides a unique and very different mountain experience, with snow and ice transforming it into one of the UK's most majestic mountains.

Please note that this is a tough trip involving a very long day out on the hills. A good level of fitness is a must, although no experience of hiking in winter conditions is necessary.

To fully appreciate and enjoy a winter ascent, it is best to be properly prepared for the winter environment - with an early start, good crampon technique and the right equipment all helping to give a truly memorable mountain day.

This trip is suitable for anyone, regardless of winter hiking experience - A Full day of winter skills tuition will be provided prior to attempting the hike to the highest point in The UK

If you already have winter hiking experience, this day of tuition will be great to hone your skills and reacquaint yourself with the skills you've already learnt

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No prior winter mountaineering experience is required and full instruction will be provided on the use of the equipment and the skills required to keep safe in the winter environment

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The Itinerary:

Tuesday evening: Meet in Glasgow (pickup at Central Train Station or Airport at any time after 21:00) where I will transfer the group to our hostel for the night.

Wednesday: Awaking early in the morning, we will have breakfast and depart for our first hike - learning the skills necessary for keeping safe in the winter mountain environment. We will return to our hostel accommodation for a good night's sleep before the main event on Saturday!

Thursday: We will get up very early in the morning to go ourselves the most time possible to reach the summit of the highest mountain in The UK! The route we take will depend on the ground/weather conditions at the time, but plan A is to tackle a ridge on the north side of the mountain!

Upon reaching the summit and returning safely to the minibus, we will head back to the hostel, freshen up and head out to a local pub to celebrate with a hearty meal

Friday: This is a more relaxing day. We will check out of our accommodation and slowly drive back to Glasgow, stopping regularly on a sightseeing drive through one of the most spectacular landscapes in The UK. We aim to be back in Glasgow for 3pm.

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Accommodation:
We will be staying in a local hostel (dorm-style accommodation) to ensure we are warm and comfortable in the evening.

Your minimum kit list should be:
- Base Layers
- Fleece
- Warm/Insulated Jacket
- Hiking Trousers
- Waterproof Jacket
- Waterproof Trousers/Salopettes
- Hat or Balaclava
- Warm Ski Type Gloves/Mittens (A spare pair is also recommended in case one gets wet)
- Warm Socks
- Sturdy Hiking Boots
- Ski Goggles
- Sunglasses
- Back Pack suitable for day hikes (30-35 litres)
- Waterbottle and / or thermos flask
- Head torch
- Personal medication

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Cost:
The price for this long weekend is just £345

Included in the price will be:
- Transport and logistical support while in Scotland
- 3-nights accommodation
- Food while on the mountain
- Technical equipment required for winter hiking (ice axe, crampons and helmet)
- Tuition and 2-days of guided hikes by a highly experienced and qualified Mountain Leader

Excluded from the price:
- Return travel from London to Glasgow
- Food when away from the mountains (e.g. pub dinners)
- Personal hiking kit (I do have some spare kit for hire if you did not want to buy it)
- Personal travel insurance

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Note: The weather and ground conditions will not be known until closer to the date and full winter conditions, whilst expected at this time of year, cannot be guaranteed. The trip will go ahead regardless of conditions (The only exception being if the prevailing weather is too dangerous e.g. Thunderstorms)

Hike in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales to see the Spring Equinox sun rising and falling as we make our way around this classic walking circuit

Begin the hike in the dark to ascend the first hill as the sun rises and aim to complete the circuit 12 hours later as the sun is setting

The price of this weekend is just £315 and includes:

• Return train travel from London
• Mountain transfers and logistical support
• 2-nights Accommodation
• Breakfast and Lunches
• 2-days guided hiking

Arrival - Meet at Euston train station on Friday evening for a relaxing journey north in the comfort of the train (train ticket included in the cost) where you will be met at the destination train station and driven to our accommodation in The Yorkshire Dales National Park

Day 1 (Saturday) will involve hiking the Yorkshire 3-Peaks: A 26-mile hike over Pen-y-ghent (736m), Wearnside (723m) and Ingleborough (694m).

Please don't worry about your own fitness or ability. We will have several leaders on hand to cater to everyones pace/ability. We will also have a base camp manager supporting the trip to assist anyone that decides to drop out at any point in the day.

We will then retire to the warmth of a local hostelry to compare photos over a soft drink, or two.

Day 2 (Sunday) will involve an easy walk to stretch your legs, visiting the fascinating rock formations offered by the Limestone synonymous with the area.

Departure - After the short walk we will make our way back to the buses for your transfer back to the train station and a relaxing journey back to London - arriving back in London around 9pm

A 9-day trip (just 4-days off work!), including 7-days of hiking the Skye Trail - an unmarked route of 127km (79 miles) through the island of Skye.

There are no waymarks for the route and many sections do not even have a path.

However the rewards as you walk south from the most northerly point on the island are many in terms of:

• Spectacular mountain views - passing under the shadow of the Jagged Cuillin, the finest mountain range in Britain;
• Coastal scenery - from beaches to cliff-tops in areas that are remarkable but almost unvisited;
• Haunting ruins of deserted villages - destroyed in the highland clearances, and;
• The superb opportunities for watching wildlife.

This route has been devised for those who prefer to get well away from the beaten track

A trip never to be forgotten!

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9-days for an all inclusive price of just £745 (£100 non-refundable deposit. Remainder due 3-months before trip departure), which includes:
• Travel and logistical Support from Inverness
• All food whilst hiking (from breakfast on Sunday to lunch on Saturday) - But excluding lunch and a pub meal half way through the hike
• All accommodation (tents provided for wild camping sections, hostels & B&Bs)
• Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader

Not included:
• Return transport between London and Inverness
• Your personal hiking kit
• food & drink before/after the hike and on the rest day

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To reserve your place, simply click on the RSVP, pay the £100 deposit and we'll be in contact with further details (balance payable 3-months prior to trip departure)
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Detailed Itinerary

Saturday (AM): We will meet at Inverness airport or train station, then drive to Isle of Skye

Sunday: Coastal hike to Flodigarry (17km)

The trail starts from Skye's most northerly tip, Rubha Hunish, and follows a spectacular but rough section of the coastline, continuing above dramatic cliffs to reach Flodigarry for a night of wild camping

Monday: Hike inland to The Storr - Trotternish Ridge (25km)

A slightly more challenging stage than the first day climbs from Flodigarry beneath the amazing rock formations of The Quiraing, continuing south on the Trotternish Ridge towards the Storr before a final descent to the road. The rewards are tremendous - this must be one of the most dramatic ridge traverses in Britain!

The day will end with a wild camp amongst the dramatic scenery of our surroundings

Tuesday: Cliff-top hike to Portree (18km)

The third stage of the Skye Trail, takes a short section of road which leads to a fabulous parade along the top of dramatic coastal cliffs with superb views.

We will restock supplies in Portree and spend the night in a local hostel.

Wednesday: Rest Day

You have the option of either hiking stage 4 of the trail, or seeing the trail in the comfort of the minibus. We will also visit some other local attractions that are not on the trail (e.g. Fairy Pools, Talisker distillery, Black Cuillins)

At the end of the day we will stay in a hostel connected to arguably the best pub on the island.

Thursday: Hike below the mighty Cuillin mountains to Elgol (15km)

This day we follow a rough track through the remote Glen Sligachan (a valley separating the mighty Black Cuillin with the Red Cuillin) to the beautiful bay at Camasunary . Arriving at the coast on the south-west of the island, we will camp on the shores of the Atlantic ocean

From here a vertiginous cliff path with fantastic views across the water to the Cuillin

This will be a shorter hiking day, where we can spend the afternoon relaxing in Elgol for the afternoon

Friday: Hike on good trails to Torrin (17km)

The sixth stage presents a lovely day with great views to Sleat and the small isles, ending at Torrin where there is a summer cafe and a B&B - Although, depending on the weather, we may be spending our final night on that trail on a summit with views over the bay, the ocean and the mountains!

Saturday: Coastal hike to Broadford (20km)

The final stage follows the coast from Torrin to the cleared villages of Suisnish and Boreraig before heading inland to pick up the Marble Line, the old railroad route into Broadford and the end of the Trail.

We will then check-in to our accommodation and celebrate the completion of the Skye Trail with a hearty meal and drinks

Sunday (AM): Return to Inverness (drop off at the train station and/or airport)