Saturday, September 13, 2008

Winter Skills and Winter Mountaineering Scotland 2009



Winters Skills Training and Technical Winter Mountaineering Courses

Winter Skills Training Scotland

Winter skills training is been run in Scotland during February and March by Irish Adventures, this winter training will give you a great introduction to the skills one requires to walk safely in winter condition, whether it is in Ireland, Scotland or further a field. These courses are run over a long weekend, course are 4 days of winter walking on Classic mountains such as Ben Nevis and other mountains around Fort William and Glencoe. Accommodation is provided for 5 nights, at a lakeside chalet accommodation very close to Fort William. Irish Adventures offers a complimentary transfer from both of Glasgow airports and can also collect at Train Stations if pre-arranged; this transfer will collect on arrival evening at 7pm and get back to Glasgow on departure morning for around 11am. With Great cheap flights out of Dublin, and Shannon to Glasgow then booking early will make sure your travel costs are kept to a minimum. There will be regular shuttle runs to Fort William in evenings for those who prefer eating out or for a few drinks (especially on last evening of course).

What is included in the cost?
• Transfer to and from Glasgow
• All transport during the course
• Luxury self-catering accommodation at lake-front Chalets, near Fort William
• Technician equipment, Helmet, Harness, Ice-axe and Crampons
• Experience and qualified instructors
• Four days of instruction and classic winter walking including Ben Nevis
Arrival date of collection is first date, departure date second, so 6th – 11th Feb course walking dates are 7,8,9 & 10. First day will be ice axe and crampon work and Ben Nevis will be done over the 4 days, no previous winter skills is required, but recommended for reasonable to good level of fitness and hillwalking experience.

Course Dates 2009

6th -11th Febuary
12th -17th Febuary
5th -10th March

Price €575


This is based on per person sharing twin rooms, single room supplement is available. There is limited places available for each course, so book early to avoid any disappointment and if you have any questions about the either the course or dates available then please contact us info@irishadventures.net or 087-4190318

New for 2009
Technical Winter Mountaineering Scotland


Technical Winter Mountaineering is been run in Scotland during February and March by Irish Adventures, If you have already completed a winter skills course or have experience in winter skills and would like to progress this to winter mountaineering then this is the course for you. This course will give you both skills and experience for technical winter mountaineering, learn how to climb with 2 ice axes, place gear, make belays, climb together, during the course you will have the opportunity to climb some of the classic routes in Scotland, such as
‘Ledge Route, Ben Nevis’
‘Curved Ridge, Stob Dearg, Buachaille Etive Mor’
‘ Aonach Eagach Ridge/ Traverse, Glencoe’,

On this course you will be instructed by MIC instructors with the ratio of 2 clients to 1 instructor.
This course uses the same accommodation as winter skills, so if a friend or partner would prefer a winter skills course and you want technical climbing, then you can compare your days activity at the end of each day.

These courses are run over a long weekend, course are 4 days of classic winter mountaineering on mountains such as Ben Nevis and other mountains around Fort William and Glencoe. Accommodation is provided for 5 nights, at a lakeside chalet accommodation very close to Fort William. Irish Adventures offers a complimentary transfer from both of Glasgow airports and can also collect at Train Stations if pre-arranged; this transfer will collect on arrival evening at 7pm and get back to Glasgow on departure morning for around 11am. With Great cheap flights out of Dublin, and Shannon to Glasgow then booking early will make sure your travel costs are kept to a minimum. There will be regular shuttle runs to Fort William in evenings for those who prefer eating out or for a few drinks (especially on last evening of course).

What is included in the cost?
• Transfer to and from Glasgow
• All transport during the course
• Luxury self-catering accommodation at lake-front Chalets, near Fort William
• Technician equipment, Helmet, Harness, Ice-axes and Crampons
• Experienced and qualified instructors (ratio 2:1) clients to instructor
• Four days of instruction and classic winter mountaineering routes
Arrival date of collection is first date, departure date second, so 6th – 11th Feb course walking dates are 7,8,9 & 10.
Previous winter skills experience and good level of fitness required.

Course Dates 2009
6th -11th Febuary
12th -17th Febuary
5th -10th March
Price €675

This is based on per person sharing twin rooms, single room supplement is available. There is limited places available for each course, so book early to avoid any disappointment and if you have any questions about the either the course or dates available then please contact us info@irishadventures.net or 087-4190318

Comments from 2008 Winter skills.

‘Trip was very well organised, even with changes in weather, alternatives were always available. Accommodation was perfect for the trip, well situated, comfortable and well equipped. Overall, had a great time, would do it again next year, and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to friends/family’. Keith, Armagh. Winter Skills Feb 08


I thought the whole course was brilliant,from your organising of it,the course contents,your people skills,your guides,the accomodation,everything. I had no complaints on the course whatsoever,or any other aspect of the trip,so all I can say is the best of luck with your future adventures,and thanks again for everything,it was a massive trip.
Liam, Kerry, Winter Skills Feb 08

“The course was excellent and well run, learned many valuable things in relation to being on mountains in winter which well be in valuable in relation to safety. Quality of instructors and intruction was excellent, accomodation was excellent and v comfortable.”
Ray, Kildare Winter Skills Feb 08

“The Irish Adventures Winter Skills training programme was an excellent experience on the whole. The course was well organised and delivered from start to finish, and Noel O Leary has clearly put a lot of work into every aspect from arranging the practical issues such as transport and comfortable accommodation to ensuring we all had the right equipment, (both in terms of what we are asked to bring and what was provided to us) and delivering high quality training in winter skills. The ratio of trainers (2 leaders) to participants (1:4) was just right and maintained for the duration of the programme. For those new to winter mountain skills, I found the training was delivered with patience, attention to safety and the optimum balance of practical experience and information. I learned, among other things, how to attach crampons before sliding down the snow while trying out different types of ice axe arrests but was equally impressed by how much there is to learn-for example the different types of axes or different ways of judging avalanche potential when faced with a snow slope. For those who haven't been to that part of Scotland before, the location is beautiful to say the least, and our self-catering accommodation in chalets just a few km from Fort William was lovely. I was very happy to be ferried around with the group and not have to worry about getting to and from Glasgow and in and out of Fort William or to the various activity locations. We ate in a couple of nights and for the last two, our affable host taxied us to a local hostelry.
We had three very enjoyable days on the mountain, even if tiring at times. The fourth day, where we had time indoors at the Ice Factor in Kinlochleven, with experience of the indoor climbing and ice walls, was good fun and very much pitched according to what the participants wanted to try and were comfortable with.”
Carol-Anne, Limerick Winter Skills Feb 08

“I had a great weekend. Brilliant weather, Brilliant people, Brilliant guide and Brilliant views. My calves are knotted, my knees are swolen and my back hurts but it was all well worth it. I am definitely addicted to the outdoors now. Thanks again.”
Michelle, Clare Winter Skills March 08

“Just a quick note to say how much we enjoyed our trip to Scotland. Darach was an excellent guide and great company and ensured we had a magic time!”
Eileen, Cork Winter Skills March 08



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