Want to go hill walking in winter? Aspen is running a series of Winter Skills Training Days in February and March 2024. Choose from the following dates:

• 17 February 2024 – Winter Skills
• 24 February 2024 – Winter Skills
• 2 March 2024 – Winter Skills

The venue for the training will be Meall nan Tarmachan, near Killin, about 1hr 30min from Glasgow or 2hrs from Edinburgh. Cost is £75 per per participant.

The winter skills course is an introduction to winter hillwalking covering:

• Kit and equipment
• Understanding the Be Avalanche Aware process and developing an understanding of snow types and snowpack structure.
• Planning a winter hill walk, including weather and avalanche forecasting
• Snowcraft and Walking Skills – kicking steps in ascent and descent; selection and carriage of ice axe; cutting steps uphill and downhill; ice axe self-arrest; selection and fitting of crampons; movement up, down, and across slopes using crampons.
• Emergency Snow Shelters and caves.
• Winter Hazards – cornice, avalanche-prone slopes, hypothermia, frostbite, high winds, icy verglassed rock.

Waterproof Jacket and trousers

Warm layers

Winter Boots

Crampons

Ice Axe

Ski googles

Gaiters

Pack lunch

Flask

Helmet

Items of kit we can provide (Helmet, ice axe)

Winter crampons and boots can be hired from Tiso

https://www.tiso.com/hire