SKILLS TRAINING
Depending on the type of trip you've signed up for you may require additional skills and there is no doubt that going away with this knowledge already will improve your trip. If you've signed up for a trip that requires movement on snow then there is a high chance you'll need to know how to walk in crampons and possibly even use a walking axe. On more technical expeditions you may even need to know how to ascend a fixed line, rock climb or abseil.
If you join us for a trip that requires technical skills then we will include a skills course here in the Lake District in the cost of the trip (Example, Mera Peak, Lobuche East, Island Peak). You may be off on your trip with another provider, or under your own steam and therefore looking for somewhere to learn the skills required, in which case - look no further! The following course outlines are all courses that are run on an Open or Bespoke basis through our Lake District based sister company, Lakeland Mountain Guides
WINTER SKILLS COURSES
ONE DAY COURSE
Our one day winter skills courses are an ideal taster of winter walking and will give you a perfect glimpse into what winter mountaineering is all about. These one day courses are also suited well to those looking to refresh their skills. The course would last in the region of 6-7 hours and we'd look to cover:
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Winter Kit - What you need and why you need it.
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Using Ice Axe and Crampons
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Winter Navigation
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An Introduction into Avalanche Awareness.
Bespoke Courses from £220 a day, or Open Events at £100pp. Technical kit hire available.
TWO DAY COURSE
Two days of training and instruction provides the opportunity for you to really get to grips with the skills. As there is so much to take in this is our most recommended course. We would cover the items listed in the above course in more depth, as well as have the opportunity to look at:
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Planning a winter walk
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Emergency Bivouac procedures
By the end of the two day course you should have the confidence to be planning your very own safe winter walking adventures. These courses can be run in the Lake District and Scotland (Cairngorms & Western Highlands).
Bespoke Courses from £220 a day, or Open Events at £190pp. Technical kit hire available.
MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS
If you're off on a more technical adventure you may need, or want, to get your head around some mountaineering skills. Knowing your way around a climbing harness, being comfortable with exposure or understanding how to abseil would all greatly reduce anxiety around performing these whilst on your trip.
What we can offer is a bespoke day with one of our mountaineering instructors. The day can be completely tailored to cover the elements you feel would benefit you and your trip the most. Examples of relevant topics include:
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Getting used to rock climbing, the gear involved, and being on the end of a rope
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Lead Climbing
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Abseiling
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Being in an exposed environment
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Ropework skills - Belaying, anchor set up, coiling a rope
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Introduction to Crevasse Rescue
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Ascending a fixed line
These days are run in the Lake District on a bespoke basis. The cost is £220 for up to 2 people, per day.
