winter mountain leader (wml) enhancer
...in the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer...
These WML enhancement courses correlate directly to the WML Award syllabus and offer opportunity for aspirants to consolidate their learning prior to assessment, or gain valuable input before attending a re-assessment. Fully qualified individuals are also more than welcome to attend if they wish to refresh their skills and stay current with best practices. These courses, primarily based in the Cairngorms National Park, are staffed with Winter Mountain Leaders, International Mountain Leaders, Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructors, or British Mountain Guides, and will run from 8:30am til 5pm, unless stated otherwise.
Open courses will run with 3 or more candidates and private courses can are bespoke and can run on a date that suits you. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have an course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Open courses will run with 3 or more candidates and private courses can are bespoke and can run on a date that suits you. Recommendations and advice for accommodation can be found at the bottom of this page. Meeting places will be confirmed at the time of booking. Typically the ratio of instructors to participants is 1:6 or less. If you are a larger group than 6, and/or an individual or group who wish to have an course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
whiteout navigator
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Whiteout navigation is as tough as it gets. As a WML you will likely encounter this regularly during your working life, whether pre-planned or otherwise. Having robust, reliable and practiced techniques, when the white screen is pulled up, will enable you to remain calm and collected, and get to where it is you need to go. Navigation is a fundamental part of the WML award, hence why a full day is dedicated to ensuring you never go astray in the white room.
✓ Robust and reliable navigation for whiteout and non-whiteout conditions ✓ Individual strategies and group navigation techniques ✓ Mock test and WML-level points to go away with and practice |
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Title:
Whiteout Navigator 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
4 1 4 |
Price:
£80 £300 £75 |
Ratio:
1:4 1:1 1:4 |
snowcraft and shelters
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Snowcraft and emergency shelters are both elements of the WML award which are fundamental to learning and safety respectively; Both assessed to a high level, however they are all too commonly under practiced. Teaching winter skills well is a necessity for ensuring your customers are going to have an enjoyable time, and stay on their feet, whilst creating a storm-proof emergency shelter quickly is key to staying alive if things were to go wrong. During this day we will focus our attention on both of these overlooked topics in detail.
✓ Teaching winter skills; Role-modelling; Games and strategies for learning ✓ Single-person and group emergency shelters, and snow holes |
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Title:
Snowcraft and Shelters 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£80 £300 £75 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
Ropework and Winter anchors
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No two winter anchors are the same. Working safely with what is essentially a form of water, requires great judgement and skill. Further still, WML's will only call upon these techniques during an emergency, therefore time constraints and additional pressures may be apparent. This day will get your bucket seats, buried axes and bollards to textbook standard, as well as provide opportunity to look at stompers and boot-axe belays. We will practice in a variety of terrain and snowpacks, to ensure that you can deal with anything in the future.
✓ All WML anchors covered, and tested safely to failure to increase learning ✓ Low ratios for maximum input |
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Title:
Ropework and Winter Anchors 1:1 Private tuition Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
4 1 4 |
Price:
£80 £300 £75 |
Ratio:
1:4 1:1 1:4 |
- What is included in the price?
Instruction at the above ratios, tea/coffee at the start of the course, all non-personal specialist equipment such as ropes and climbing hardware, all emergency first aid equipment, and additional teaching resources where appropriate. - What is not included in the price?
Accommodation, food and drink for the day, personal insurance and personal equipment (unless stated otherwise). - What is the minimum number of participants required to ensure my course runs?
2 for all of the above courses at a 1:2 ratio. And, with fear of being obvious, 1 for 1:1 private bookings! - Who will staff my course?
Your course will be staffed by me or another fully qualified and experienced winter mountain leader (WML), winter mountaineering and climbing instructor (WMCI) or British mountain guide (BMG). - Can I hire walking boots from you?
No, sorry. Because of vastly different shoe sizes from person to person, I do not stock a large range of walking boots. However, there are numerous shops and hire services available in the local area to your course, or you can Get In Contact if you need any more help acquiring a pair. - Can I hire a rucksack from you?
Yes, please arrange this at the time of booking. Rucksacks cost £20 per person, per day. A deposit of £75 to cover any damage or soiling of the materials is required. - Can I bring along my own helmet, ropes, climbing hardware, axes and crampons to use or ask questions about?
Yes of course, however this equipment will be thoroughly checked by me or another member of staff before it is deemed suitable for use. - How many pairs of gloves do you recommend I bring?
A minimum of 3 waterproof pairs of gloves is recommended for safety and comfort. This is because gloves can quickly become wet in Scotland during the winter, and once a pair of gloves have become wet they will be no longer be useful. - Why do I need ski goggles for walking in winter?
In Scotland, during the winter, ski goggles are essential for safety and comfort. This is because when snow is falling in windy conditions it is impossible to see without them. - How many pairs, and what type of ski goggles do you recommend I bring?
One pair of ski goggles will suffice, however two is better, just in case you lose a pair. Clear-lens ski goggles are better in most conditions, however ski goggles with red-tinted lenses also work. - Where can I stay?
There are a variety of options around Aviemore, to suit everybody's tastes and budgets. There are many more options than the ones suggested below, and of the options suggested below, all operate independently from me:
Aviemore hostels - Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel; Aviemore Bunkhouse; Aviemore Youth Hostel.
Aviemore hotels - Premier Inn; Cairngorm Hotel; Highland Resort; The Old Bridge Inn.
Aviemore B&Bs - Dunroamin; Ardlogie Guest House; Carn Mhor; 'Air BnB' options are also available. - What kit do I need to bring?
For all of the above courses, you may be out in the mountains all day, and therefore will require the following:
1. Warm clothing, including a woolly hat, balaclava or buff, gloves, ski goggles and sunglasses
2. Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers
3. Walking boots and walking gaitors
4. Food, drink and personal medication
5. Small personal first aid kit, if required (to include things like blister plasters, suncream)
6. Mobile phone and whistle
7. Personal walking poles
8. Personal helmet, 30m rope, 1x 'HMS' screwgate karabiner, 1x 120cm/240cm sling
9. Personal walking axe and crampons
10. Compass (Silva Type 4 recommended)
11. Waterproof map of the area (36 - OS Landranger Active Map Grantown and Aviemore recommended), or a non-waterproof map of the area (36 - OS Landranger Map Grantown and Aviemore) and a waterproof map case
12. Head torch and spare batteries
13. Rucksack (40L minimum recommended) and waterproof liner
Have a question about something else? Try the Frequently Asked Questions page.
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