winter navigation
...though this be madness, yet this is method in it..
Navigation in winter can, at times, demand a greater level of skill and accuracy than at other times of the year; Information that was once useful, will likely be covered in snow during the depths of winter, and features that remain usable, can be completely obscured in the slightest of cloud cover or gentlest of winds. Combine that with greater hazards and shorter daylight hours, and one soon realises that in winter there is much less room for error.
Half of the battle in winter is having the confidence in your own ability. Trusting pacings and having faith in your bearing, whilst the weather deteriorates and corniced-edges loom, is difficult, but these courses will ensure you have every technique up your sleeve, and the confidence to execute a strategy, should the conditions demand it.
All of the following courses are based out of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm, unless stated otherwise. Prices are per person. 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 a course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Half of the battle in winter is having the confidence in your own ability. Trusting pacings and having faith in your bearing, whilst the weather deteriorates and corniced-edges loom, is difficult, but these courses will ensure you have every technique up your sleeve, and the confidence to execute a strategy, should the conditions demand it.
All of the following courses are based out of Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, and will run from 8:45am til 5pm, unless stated otherwise. Prices are per person. 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 a course run in your area, then please Get In Contact to discuss your aspirations.
Learn winter Navigation
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Whether completely new to navigation, or already have some prior skills, this single-day course teaches you the fundamental skills and principles of winter navigation, how to avoid hazards, and how to navigate confidently in winter.
✓ Equipment, organisation, and systems for winter navigation ✓ Fundamentals of map use and recognising usable features in winter ✓ Planning a safe route and avoiding hazardous areas ✓ Navigational strategies, and keeping track of where you are ✓ Contour interpretation, and relating map to ground and vice versa ✓ Using a compass confidently in winter to determine and follow direction ✓ FREE hire of an axe and crampons |
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Title:
Learn Winter Navigation 1:1 Private tuition 1:6 Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£69 £215 £65 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
winter Navigation improver
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This single-day course is aimed at competent navigators who wish to improve their skills and apply them more confidently in harsh winter conditions. You should already be familiar with map-reading and basic uses of compass.
✓ Refinement of winter systems and map choice for winter ✓ Planning a safe route, and tools for whiteout conditions and/or darkness ✓ Navigational and relocation strategies, including GPS/altimeter devices ✓ Navigating by contours, and interpreting contours in limited visibility ✓ Advanced uses of a compass in winter, including slope aspect ✓ Problem-solving, and search techniques for pin-pointing location ✓ FREE hire of an axe and crampons |
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Title:
Winter Navigation Improver 1:1 Private tuition 1:6 Private group tuition |
Dates:
Dates on demand Please state preferred dates Please state preferred dates |
Spaces:
6 1 6 |
Price:
£79 £215 £75 |
Ratio:
1:6 1:1 1:6 |
- What is included in the price?
Instruction at the above ratios, tea/coffee at the start of the course, all emergency first aid equipment, and additional maps and 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?
3 for all of the above courses at a 1:6 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 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 activity or 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 axe and crampons?
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:
Hostels - Cairngorm Lodge Youth Hostel; Aviemore Bunkhouse; Aviemore Youth Hostel.
Hotels - Premier Inn; Cairngorm Hotel; Highland Resort; The Old Bridge Inn.
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 walking axe and crampons (unless stated otherwise)
9. Compass (Silva Type 4 recommended)
10. 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
11. Head torch and spare batteries
12. Rucksack (40L minimum recommended) and waterproof liner
Have a question about something else? Try the Frequently Asked Questions page.
"I learnt so much during my winter trip to Scotland with Alex. Navigation was something I already felt very competent at, but navigating in winter was totally new to me. Fortunately Alex is a brilliant teacher and helped me to progress my skills to the difficult winter environment with ease. I am so much more confident and independent because of him."
H. Rollins (Private Winter Walking, Mountaineering and Climbing Skills)
H. Rollins (Private Winter Walking, Mountaineering and Climbing Skills)
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