Introduction to Winter Skills

• wish to extend your hillwalking into the winter season

• need to know how to use an ice axe

• want to know about emergency snow shelters

• have few navigational skills

• want to confidently navigate in white-out conditions

• want to learn all the skills for safe movement across snow & ice - covered terrain: crampon techniques, evaluate avalanche risk, etc.)

• want to know about step kicking and cutting

• want to consolidate the skills to optimise future winter trips

• plus a whole lot more ...

...then this may well be the course for you.

This is delivered by either Andy Bateman or equally highly qualified mountaineers (WML, MIC, BMG) each with many years of guiding experience. They all live locally and have intimate knowledge of the Scottish mountains. Their mountaineering experience is complemented by numerous mountaineering expeditions to various ranges around the world. They are the very best in the business.

Who We Are

Mountain Innovations is owner-run by Andy Bateman & Rebecca Field. Come the end of the mountain day, we don’t abandon you & the group until the next morning at various accommodations; you arrive back to a welcoming mug of tea & some of Rebecca’s home baking. Should you return a little damp, a fully equipped drying room ensures your kit is dry by the next morning. After you’ve had a chance to shower, etc, we join you for one of Rebecca’s superb evening meals (see below) & later on to relax in front of a roaring open fire. Alternatively, we can be ‘persuaded’ for a pint down the local pub! Should you have a query, we’re on hand to help.

The Food

Rebecca uses her knowledge of foreign cuisines to prepare her imaginative dishes. One guest awarded her his own ‘Certificate of Culinary Competence’ - “for taste, variety & innovation. Her use of both wild & home cultivated vegetables, fruits & herbs is notable. Meal-times are ‘blue-riband’ events awaited with watering lips by all diners.” The same care & attention is also applied to expedition food, home prepared & dehydrated to save weight. There are a variety of options for breakfast and packed lunches are made with home-baked bread. The evening meal consists of 2 courses and is finished off by tea or coffee in front of a roaring fire.