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Winter Navigation Courses

Introduction

Throughout the winter season, we offer winter navigation courses in Scotland and potentially in the Lake District and Eryri (Snowdonia) if conditions permit. Just as in summer, navigation is the first skill to learn if you want to venture into the mountains. This is because, sadly, navigational errors are usually the root cause of many mountain rescue incidents.

Purpose

We can adapt this course to suit anyone. Typical clients range between novices in the winter mountains, to those with some experience, and on to those preparing for their Winter Mountain Leader qualification.

The course covers the additional knowledge and skills that you need to navigate in a winter environment compared to summer. So the course includes everything from planning routes to avoid potential avalanche hazards, to advanced navigational strategies for winter conditions. We even show you how to prepare your map for use in a potentially harsh environment.

Instructor:client ratio

Depending on exact aims and locations, the maximum ratio is usually 1:6 on this course.

Other courses:

If you are not looking for a winter navigation course, then have a look at some of the other courses and guiding that we offer:

…or see what our clients say about us.

Practising night navigation on an NNAS navigation course

Course Details

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone with an interest in walking in the mountains in winter – from novice winter mountaineer to aspiring Winter Mountain Leader. You need to be a fit mountain walker capable of walking long mountain days carrying a moderately heavy rucksack and be accustomed to dealing with poor weather conditions.

Where is it held?

We generally run our winter navigation courses in the Cairngorms or on the west coast of Scotland, for example Glencoe and Ben Nevis but we also run them in the Lake District and Eryri (Snowdonia) if conditions allow.

How long is the course?

This course is a minimum of two days long, but you can also book for longer periods. It could be in separate parts, perhaps separated by a few days to give time for you to reflect and practice. Alternatively, you could book a continuous block of days to give you an intensive burst of learning and practical experience.

What does the course cover?

  • The additional challenges associated with winter mountain walking
  • Preparing your equipment
  • Adapting your summer navigation skills for winter
  • Route planning and avalanche avoidance
  • Avoiding other winter hazards
  • Dealing with poor visibility

What equipment is included?

You will need to provide: warm clothing including a waterproof jacket and trousers; stiff mountaineering boots suitable for use with crampons; ice axe and crampons; and a rucksack of 40 litres or more.

We will:-

  • Help you to hire: ice axe and crampons (if you do not own them).
  • Provide anything else required during the course.
  • Discuss an appropriate kit list when you book.

What  does it cost?

“Open” courses are shown in the Calendar along with their prices.

“Private” bookings for one day start at £230 for one person; £250 for two people (i.e. £125 per person); £270 for three people (i.e. £90 per person); £290 for four people (i.e. £73 per person) etc.

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