mountain - Up to 6 people
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Lake District Winter Skills - 1 Day

Glenridding

This is a beginner course designed to introduce hill walkers to the delights of winter walking.

We hope to develop skills to allow access into the high mountains when covered in snow and ice, giving you the technical knowledge to understand how to remain safe in this dynamic environment.


On this course we cover:

  1. Movement on snow - using the boot as a tool and kicking steps
  2. Ice axe technique - for security and balance and for cutting steps
  3. Crampons - fitting crampons, walking in crampons and front pointing
  4. Self arrest - for halting a slip and gaining control
  5. Avalanche awareness - to stay safe and develop understanding of a hazardous and dynamic landscape
  6. Winter navigation - all those summer features become covered; practice on a different scale map and winterise your navigation.​

The Helvellyn massif is usually the most reliable for winter weather but if the conditions are right, be prepared to explore any of the high Lakeland fells in snowy conditions.

You will need to wear suitable clothing for winter mountaineering, including a full set of waterproofs, warm layers, hat & gloves, ski goggles and winter walking boots.

These boots should be rigid and rated to B1/B2 standard (we can advise during the booking stage).

Boots can be hired from LDM, subject to sizes and availability of our stocks.

Technical equipment can be hired from LDM - ice axes & crampons


This course is non residential

​

The price of this day is inclusive of:

  1. A qualified Mountaineering Instructor/Winter Mountain Leader
  2. Affiliated with AMI & Mountain Training Association 
  3. Local & intimate knowledge of the venues
  4. Technical equipment 
  5. Professional coaching & instruction




What to bring

Waterproof Jacket

Waterproof Trousers

Fleece Layer

Spare Warm top (Down jacket or similar)

Hat & Gloves


35-40L Rucksack

Ski Goggles

Spare Hats & Gloves

Camera

Walking Poles


Lunch & Snacks

1 litre water

Hot drink

Personal Medication


Equipment provided:

Helmet


Equipment for hire:

Silva Expedition Type 4 compass

B1/B2 boots (£10 per day)

Ice Axe (£5 per course)

Crampons (£5 per course)


Requirements

  1. Experience of hill walking in summer conditions. 
  2.  You will need to be fit and healthy and able to walk in the snow carrying a rucksack.
  3. ​Some navigational knowledge will be beneficial (map & compass)

Itinerary

We will send a full course itinerary on booking - please look out for our email.


£90 for adults
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Cancellations

Cancellation Policy

CANCELLATION

In the unlikely event we have to cancel, we will offer a full refund if an alternate date can't be offered.

We can also issue vouchers to be used on other events or sessions with us. 

If cancellation occurs within 30 days of the course or activity, we will retain 50% of the full price (your deposit).

If cancellation is within 14 days of the activity we will retain the full amount.

Winter course conditions: It may be necessary to change the outline of the courses to offer general mountaineering/mountain skills programmes with part refunds.


COVID-19

In the current COVID climate, here is our COVID stance and policy. 

Any booking that cannot go ahead due to Covid restrictions or national lockdowns will be given a full refund. 

In light of the successful vaccine roll out and easing of restrictions in England, we are not offering COVID refunds at this time. 

We take our health very seriously here at LDM, our instructors will wear face masks in close contact scenarios and we will regularly use hand sanitiser. Our instructors are double vaccinated and COVID aware, following all up to date information.

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Where we'll meet

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The meeting location the Glenridding main car park - Beckside tourist information centre We will send a full itinerary detailing all meeting locations for the course

Lake District Mountaineering
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