Hi All,
It is already well into that time of year where we need to change our equipment, skills and mentality from Summer to Winter walking to maintain a good level of safety on the hills.
Jere Scott and Andy Cloquet have very kindly offered to provide 1 day Winter Skills courses for those who are new to Winter Mountaineering and / or want to brush up on their skills.
Jere is offering a Basic Winter Skills course to include: Movement across winter terrain, Kicking / cutting steps, Use of ice axe, Ice axe arrests and crampon use. Please note that although the title contains the word 'Basic', please do not overlook this as it contains the fundamentals of staying safe on the hills. Very worthwhile!
Andy has offered to provide an Intermediate Winter Skills course to include: Steep winter terrain, Moving together as a pair / group and also Snow anchors. This course will be more suited to members with a sound knowledge and skill sets for winter mountaineering.
Participants will are required to bring winter boots, crampons, ice axe (walking) and helmet. The club does not own spare equipment so if there are items you do not own, ask someone if you can borrow or send a letter to Mr S. Clause. All the equipment stated is mandatory to participate!!!
The cost is expected to be £22.50. Both Andy and Jere have also kindly agreed to allow the money generated from the courses to go towards the Club Cottage Extension (less their expenses). This means that the attendees of the course are benefiting twice! Attendees can also make a donation on top of the training course cost if they would like to further help out
The courses are expected to run in January / early February. More details will be released closer to the time.
It is important for those wanting to participate to express their interest by replying on this thread. I would suggest replying asap as spaces could go quickly. Previous winter skill courses have been very successfull as both are experienced mountaineers.
Thanks,
Colin
