James Thacker Mountaineering offers a variety of winter skills courses of various duration.

Our winter mountaineering and climbing courses are all held in the Scottish Highlands. This world famous region offers a vast variety of mountain terrain on which many British mountaineers have learnt their craft. For winter skills instruction we choose to base our courses in the Lochaber area.

Please note that all our Scottish winter courses require summer hillwalking experience and a good level of fitness. Mountain days in Scotland can be a long but worthwhile experience. This season we are offering the following fixed course dates. For private courses on alernative dates please feel free to contact us .

Winter Skills:

Scotlands winter mountains are a special environment that requires the true skills of a mountaineer. Allow us to guide you through the essential skills for winter hill walking over the duration of this 2 day course. This course is also ideal for those who already have some experience and would like a revision of the essential skills or have limited time available.

Learning Objectives: Use of ice axe and crampons, safe route choice, avalanche evaluation, navigation and emergency snow shelters.

Duration: 2 days Ratio: 1:6 maximum Location: Lochaber area Prices: £180 per person Dates: 26/27 January, 16/17 February.

Winter Skills and Expedition:

This course is for people with little or no prior experience of winter hill walking or climbing, who would like to progress to mountaineering in winter. In most cases it is aimed at people who have some summer hillwalking and mountaineering experience. The aim will be to cover the many essential skills to operate independently in Scottish winter conditions.

The final two days of this course are set aside for a group expedition, allowing us to put skills into practice moving through winter terrain. Our aim will be to have an overnight experience staying in either a snow hole or mountain bothy.

Learning Objectives: Use of ice axe and crampons, safe route choice, avalanche evaluation, navigation and emergency snow shelters.

Duration: 5 days Ratio: 1:4 maximum Location: Lochaber area Prices: £375 per person Dates: 28 January - 1st February.

See also >Winter Climbing

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