Having now climbed Snowdon and Scafell Pike in the winter I was eager to get more winter climbs under my belt and had even started to think to trips further afield, Mont Blanc, Everest Advanced Base Camp to name two. I recognised that to take on more serious mountains I would need to seek the training and advice of professionals and as such asked my family to club together and book me on a winter skills course for my 30th birthday.
Before I knew it I was booked on a weeks course based in Avimore in the Cairngorms. I could look forward to ascending some steep gullies covered in snow and ice, digging some snow holes, learning how to stop during a fall and the art of roping up on the mountain.
Arriving in Avimore I was pleased to see the mountains and the ground conditions didn’t disappoint. The mountain range was vast and they looked bigger than anything I has seen before in this country. There was also plenty of snow and ice so lots of opportunity to ‘get spikey’ as it later became known.
During the week I recall following only a few paths and mainly spending my time ascending steep mountain faces making full use of my ice axe and crampons. We were fortunate to have some fantastically sunny weather that coupled with the snowy landscape made for some epic views.
The course gave me a real opportunity to put my kit and myself to the test and I felt a real sense of doing something pretty serious and far more advanced from following the route up Snowdon. We were making our own routes. After a week of hiking, navigating, falling, digging and rope work I felt more confident than ever. Again, not to be confused with complacency. The course was a perfect introduction into the serious world of winter mountaineering and has given me the desire to learn the many other aspects of surviving in the winter hills.
I cant recommend the company enough. Guy Wilson the director is a fantastic instructor and has a real passion for the outdoors. To find out more go to http://www.pureoutdoor.co.uk.
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