About this Event
If you're a keen summer hill-walker but lack the skills to venture into the winter mountains, then this is the course for YOU! It is also part of the Girls on Hills 'Women's Winter Gathering', with lots of events and sociable get-togethers over the weekend. The event falls on International Women's Day, so is also a great way to celebrate this important occasion, with an awesome bunch of likeminded outdoor women!
The mountains of Scotland are a breath-taking sight when covered with snow, but without the skills and knowledge to negotiate them safely, they can be very dangerous. ‘Winter Skills 101‘ is a two-day course which aims to give women the skills and confidence to continue hill-walking safely into the winter months.
COURSE CONTENT
The course covers basic mountaineering techniques such as movement-skills (for ascent and descent on snow), when and how to use crampons, how to self-arrest using an ice-axe, avalanche awareness and the essentials of winter navigation, plus route and equipment choice.
On the Sunday, we will put all these skills to practice and make a journey in the mountains, aiming to reach a summit - weather permitting. We will also discuss a best-practice approach to mountain-safety, which will include what to do in an emergency situation and the role of informed decision-making in the winter mountain environment.
Equipment hire is NOT included in the cost of the course, but the price includes one day of uplift (Nevis Range/Glencoe Mountain) to maximise learning-time above the snow-line.
If you need to hire boots/crampons/axe then please contact Mountain Hire in Fort William (please arrange for a Friday evening collection) or Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports Fort William (Saturday morning collection in store is fine):
https://www.mountainhire.co.uk/
www.ellis-brigham.com/equipment-hire-scotland
If you already have your own winter boots, then you can hire axe and crampons from our event venue, Roam West, for just £10 per set, with all proceeds to the Tom Furey Memorial Trust (call 01855 821393 or email [email protected] to reserve).
You should arrange any equipment hire as soon as possible to reserve your kit, while sizes/stocks last.
Winter Skills 101 is delivered by female Winter Mountain Leaders, with a background in mountaineering. For your safety, the ratio will be a maximum of 1:6.
Previous summer hillwalking experience is necessary for this course and a good level of ’hill-fitness‘ is required for two consecutive days on the hill, and to get the most out of the weekend. An equipment list will be provided to all ladies booking with us.
Our goal is to empower women with the skills and confidence neccessary to take the next step and experience the unparalleled beauty of the Scottish Highlands in winter.
VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION
Winter Skills 101 will be hosted by , which is situated at Inchree, halfway between Fort William and Glencoe, giving easy access to both mountain areas and ski resorts/uplift. This location gives us hill venue options and enables us to tailor our itinerary to suit the best snow conditions/weather available across the area.
Thanks to our partnership, Roam West is offering our course attendees a significantly reduced accommodation package (available only to those with a Winter Skills 101 ticket). This includes either a one or two nights stay in comfortable and well-appointed self-catering accommodation, with a hearty two-course meal all together in the cosy bar on site on th eSaturday night (£30pp/night for the room and £26pp for the meal). As our accommodation partner, Roam West will be our primary meet location, though you are welcome to stay overnight elsewhere (i.e. accommodation/food is NOT included in your Winter Skills 101 ticket).You will also receive these details in your booking confirmation from Girls on Hills.
We pride ourselves on being 'approachable and relatable', so please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any concerns.
We look forward to breaking-trail with you this winter!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Roam West, Inchree, Fort William, United Kingdom
GBP 250.00
