Winter Skills in The Cairngorms National Park

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)

Please be aware of our Participation Statement and Terms & Conditions prior to joining