Introduction This article is all about how to plan a mountain walk or climb. On the one hand we almost certainly want it to be enjoyable, but also challenging leaving…
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Introduction Why not join us for our guided winter ascents of the major Lake District peaks? Winter is the best time in the mountains. The views are so much more…
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Introduction A lone walker stands out against the snowy summits of the Mamores while descending from Stob Ban These beginners’ tips for winter mountain walking and mountaineering in the UK…
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Introduction A winter skills course in Scotland, or the Lake District, is the perfect way to progress from being a summer mountain walker to a winter mountaineer. Nobody should underestimate…
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Understanding mountain weather Introduction As regular, or even occasional, hill-walkers and mountaineers, it's vital that we have an understanding of mountain weather. Therefore a number of my previous tips have…
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Sastrugi This tip is all about Sastrugi which, along with rime ice, are very useful in determining what the local wind direction has been recently. This knowledge plays a crucial part…
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Rime Ice Knowing about rime ice is an essential and potentially life-saving bit of mountaineering knowledge. As part of our avalanche awareness and planning, it’s crucial that we know where…
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Buys Ballot's Law It’s well worth knowing about Buys Ballot’s law. Buys Ballot was a Dutch meteorologist in the 19th Century who stated what has become known as his 'law'.…
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Hiring a Mountain 'Guide' or Leader The scary and hilarious controversy over the antics of “IamBraveDave” (check out his YouTube channel) over the last couple of weeks prompts me to…
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How to Secure Your Map in Winter Making sure that your map is secure in winter is a vital piece of preparation. Have you ever been concerned that your map…
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thesummitisoptional.com
Mountain navigation courses in the Lake District, Snowdonia and Yorkshire Dales including GPS navigation courses