Snow & Ice Climbing

The Cairngorms offer some of the best and most reliable conditions for winter climbing in the UK, regularly attracting climbers from across the globe. Conditions can on occasion be harsh and challenging and you can rely on our staff to safely take you into this environment and pass on to you the skills required to operate in these conditions. The Cairngorms boasts many fantastic winter climbs of all standards many of them located in the atmospheric Northern Corries.

There are of course also many beautiful days in the Cairngorms offering fantastic views and opportunities to snap that special photo and moments to savour.

Tollymore staff will give you an insight into the world of winter climbing, sharing their thoughts and decision making processes along the way.

Skills Covered
This course will provide a comprehensive level of instruction in all the necessary areas, in order to develop a level of independence. Students will be

Areas generally covered include:

- Use of equipment specific to winter travel & climbing in the mountains

- Route choice and poor visibility navigation.

- Moving over snow and ice in the mountains.

- Use of crampons and ice axes.

- Snow & Ice self arrest.

- Avalanche awareness.

- Constructing winter belays & pitched climbing.

- Placing runners in winter.

- Climbing graded winter routes

Outline Programme

Day 1 Collection from Airport

Day 2 Course brief, basic snow craft and mountain day.

Day 3 Basic winter ropework and belays..

Day 4 Winter climbing day.

Day 5 Winter climbing day.

Day 6 Winter climbing day.

Day 7 Drop off at Airport

It is important to note that the above outline programme is a guide. Times may vary due to weather conditions or other reasons.

Our Staff

The instructor(s) who will work with you are all highly experienced and qualified. Tollymore prides itself in the knowledge and experience that its, full time and part time staff bring to its courses.

All Tollymore staff are active climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers and have a huge breadth of experience across the globe. You may well have met them in the hills in the past or will bump into them in the future on days when they are not working!

All our staff are obliged to attend annual staff updates and training courses

What do I need to bring?
The following list is a suggestion of what you should bring. Waterproofs, walking boots and rucksacks may be borrowed from our extensive stores. We advise you not to rush out and buy kit for the course, but use it as a chance to find out what would best suit your needs.

You should bring the following: Walking boots (suitable for crampons), gaiters, waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers, warm outdoor wear (fleece is ideal), warm hats, winter gloves and mitts, Maps of Cairngorms, compass (Silva type 4 or similar), headtorch, plus spare battery, snow/ski goggles, sunglasses, sunscreen, day rucksack, waterproof rucksack liner (bin liner is ideal), small first aid kit, water bottle, vacuum flask, personal medication, notebook and pen, camera and film. If you have technical equipment, please bring it along.

Accommodation

Accommodation is included in your course fee. Accommodation is in a comfortable timber chalet, set in the forest below the Cairngorms. The chalets are well appointed with large dining and lounge areas.
Catering.
Your course is fully catered from supper after arrival on day one through to breakfast before departure on day 7; you may wish to bring additional snack food to supplement the packed lunches.

Transport
Transport to Scotland is not included in your course fee, however a number of low cast airlines fly to Scotland from both Dublin and Belfast airports. We will collect you from and leave you back to the airport.
We will be collecting participants from Edinburgh airport at 3.00 p.m. on Sunday, 8th March - this will link in with a Flybe flight from Belfast (dep 1335, arr 1430) and a Ryanair flight from Dublin (1040, arr 1145).
We will also be dropping participants back to Edinburgh airport for 12.30 p.m. on Saturday 14th March - this will link in with a Flybe flight to Belfast (dep 1345, arr 1440) and a Ryanair flight to Dublin (dep 1425, arr 1525).
You are also welcome to make youir own way to the chalets in Badaguish - we ask that you arrive after 6.00 p.m. on the 8th March and leave before 10.30 a.m. on the 14th March.

If required, we can transport heavy items to Scotland for you.

Course Aims
The aims of this course are:

* To become familiar with the use of Ice axes, hammers and crampons on snow, ice & rock
* To develop a comprehensive level of understanding and independence in winter/snow conditions
* To learn the skills and judgement required to create sound belays in snow & ice. .
* To learn to assess snow and weather conditions in order to make safe decisions on the hill.
* To provide an individually tailored learning experience with nationally qualified coaches and instructors