IMPORTANT: This booking is for those who have already paid their deposit for the winter meet. Please don’t book on if you have not done so. Thank you.

Scottish Winter

What to say about scottish winter climbing… the weather can be fickle, but when it’s good it’s an experience you’ll never forget!

I’ll let the pictures do the rest of the talking…..

Safety

Winter mountains can be dangerous if not treated with respect or if you’re lacking in skills. We have many members this year new to Scottish Winter, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with your abilities and know what your limits are. Take time in the evenings to run your plans for the next day past more experienced members in the club, or ask them if they’re happy with you tagging along for the day. The more experienced members will be happy to give you as much advice as they can.

Avalanches do happen, more often than you’d think. If you’re new or need to refresh your memory, check out the Be Avalanche Aware (BAA) campaign on Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS). You can also download the BAA app on your phone for the latest avalanche forecasts. Anyone going on the Winter Skills training will cover this, but it’s no bad thing to start revising now so you can impress your guides.

Always leave a plan at the hostel of what you’re doing and where you’re going the next day. We will arrange a notepad at the hostel where people can right down their plans each night for the next day.

Accommodation

We have booked 18 spaces at the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel from Saturday 12th – Saturday 19th February. We have two shared dorms of 8 plus one twin bunk room with en suite. All rooms are reserved just for the club.

The dorm room bunks cost £154 per person and the twin room is £175 per person for the week (minus your £50 deposit).

Please read the pre-arrival information in this document.

Kit List

Bring lots of layers and gloves, gloves get wet. Thermal base layers and fleeces are essential, and a warm jacket jacket for when you stop moving (ie. lunch). Synthetics are good, or hydrophobic down jackets. Down jackets are less effective when wet.

Minimum kit:

• Waterproof shell (trousers & jacket)
• Mid layers, fleece ideal
• Base layers – top and bottom high wicking fabric (not cotton)
• Synthetic/hydrophobic down jacket (to keep you warm when not moving)
• Mountaineering boots (B1 or above/crampon compatible)
• Mountaineering gloves (at least two pairs, if not more!)
• Hat (that can be worn under a helmet)
• Sunglasses/suncream (you never know)
• Rucksack suitable for walking/climbing (30-45 litres)
• Mountaineering or climbing axes
• Gaiters
• Crampons
• Water bottle (1litre +)
• Headtorch & spare batteries
• Survival bag
• Compass
• Snow goggles
• First aid kit
• Phone + portable battery charger for emergencies (batteries don’t last long in the cold)

Winter Planning Evening

In January, we plan to have a get together to socialise and talk about the winter meet. Here we can get excited and plan some adventures together, alongside possibly watching a film or two maybe. We will let everyone know nearer the time.

In the meantime, get excited 🙂