Guided Winter traverses over three classic mountain ridges in Scotland, each a unique and memorable experience.

You will have summer and winter hill walking experience but may lack the confidence to venture up and enjoy the ridges in winter conditions.

Course Title: M3. Classic Scottish Mountain Ridges
Cost: £200 for 1 person group £220 per day
Location: Aviemore, Cairngorms and/or Fort William, Scotland
Group size: up to 4 people

Brief descriptions of typical routes include:

The selection of routes will take into account prevailing weather conditions and individual aims and abilities.

Ring of Steall, Lochaber is a 15km, grade 1 ridge walk in winter conditions, providing an ascent of 1500 metres. Set in the heart of the Mamores, and flanked by the Glencoe peaks on one side and the Nevis range on the other, this fine curved ridge affords spectacular views of the valleys and mountain ranges of Glen Nevis. The ridge offers two exciting sections in winter conditions, An Gearanach spine and the crest of the Devil’s Ridge.

Lochnagar, Cairngorms is a 15km ridge walk with 770 metres of ascent. The route is magnificent and is one of the big winter ridge walks of Scotland. The exposed crux sections, knife edges and gullies will lead you to the open summit plateau.

Fiacaill Ridge, Cairn Lochan, Cairngorms a 7km ridge walk with 620 metres of ascent. This is an excellent crest on the Cairngorm plateau that divides the headwalls of Coire an t-Sneachda and Coire an Lochain. The exposure is provided by the vertical Fiacaill Buttress. The ascent culminates in a broad headland and plateau with the summit of Cairn Lochan.

Course Content

This is not a winter skills course, but your skills will be reviewed before any ridge ascents are attempted. Please see our Introduction to Winter Skills courses if you have not been walking in winter conditions in the mountains before. However, we will review the following to ensure competency:

• Your previous experiences, aims and aspirations.
• Use of ice axes, crampons and crampon techniques
• Using techniques for safe movement on snow and steep ground (kicking steps)
• Environmental issues and impacts
• Basic self-arrest techniques
• Appraisal of snow structure and avalanche risk
• What to do in an emergency

Previous Experience/Fitness

Summer and Winter hill walking experience is essential. You will have experience of using crampons and ice-axes. A review of these skills will be undertaken on the first morning. A reasonable level of fitness will ensure you get the most out of your guided walk. These are long, tough days out in the mountains in winter conditions.

Equipment

You will need clothing and footwear that is appropriate for Winter conditions (a Winter Walking Kit List will be provided) and a headtorch. Crampons, walking boots and walking axes can be hired in Aviemore from a number of retail outlets. We hire out Helmets, Crampons and Axes for £30.00 per set, for the duration of the course. Please request on booking.

Just email joe @ mountaineeringjoe.co.uk. for further info or how we can personalise a day to suit you! Private guiding or instruction to suit your requirements.

Go to Booking menu to make a booking enquiry.