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Scottish Winter Guiding
Information covered on this page:
Ratios and Routes | Guiding Fees |
Accommodation | Travel |
Preparation | Equipment |
Insurance | Booking Conditions
Summit Plateau of Ben Nevis
Each winter I offer a full range of guiding based in the Aviemore and Fort William areas of
Scotland, covering all levels from total beginner to advanced climber, and using all the main
winter climbing areas - the Cairngorms,
Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Creag Meagaidh, and the Northern Highlands.
Many people opt for a course rather than guiding,
because they believe that courses are always cheaper. However, if there are two or
more people in your group, guiding may actually cost less than booking a place on a
course. In addition, the advantages of booking your own Guide for yourself or your
small group are huge. You have lots of input into the content of your days out and
the routes undertaken. If you have a particular ambition, you can discuss the
possibilities with me. You make a booking for the dates you want, and the
size of your group will determine the kind of challenges you can undertake.
Ratios and Routes
1:1 and 1:2: limited only by your own ability and aspirations
1:3: allows climbing at Grade II-III, eg Curved Ridge (Glen Coe), Dorsal Arete
(Glen Coe), Hell's Lum (Cairngorms), The Vent (Cairngorms)
1:4: allows up to Grade II, eg Aonach Eigach ridge (Glen Coe), Ledge Route (Ben Nevis),
Central Buttress (Lochnagar), Liathach Ridge (Torridon).
1:5 and 1:6: limited to scrambling, walking, and basic skills training.
Preparation
The fitter you are, the more you will get out of your time with us, as all
winter mountaineering requires physical effort. Swimming, cycling, and hill-walking
are all good preparation. The following books would be useful reading: Scotland's
Winter Mountains by Martin Moran; Mountain Navigation by Peter Cliff; Cold Climbs
by Alcock & Barry.
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Tower Ridge, Ben Nevis
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Accommodation
Some clients prefer to research their accommodation themselves, or to stay with
friends or family in the area. We can recommend the following:
The Rowan Tree Country Hotel, Loch Alvie, near Aviemore. Scottish
Tourist Board ***. A small cosy family-run hotel offering relaxed en-suite full board
accommodation to walkers, climbers and general visitors in a quiet location.
Badenoch Christian Centre, Kincraig, near Aviemore.
Self catering
accommodation in mainly four-bedded and two-bedded bunk rooms and an apartment sleeping
4-6. Shared kitchen, an excellent drying room, all bedding provided. (No pressure to
take part in any of the Christian activities of the centre).
Alan Kimber, Fort William.
Self catering
accommodation in twin rooms. Shared kitchen & living room, an excellent drying room, and great
value.
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Guiding Fees
£200 per full day for one person, £210 for two to eight people.
Travel to the area
By Rail: Aviemore and Kingussie both have rail services. National
Rail Enquiries 08457 484950.
By Coach: National Express (0870 5808080) and Citylink Coaches
(0990 505050) stop at Aviemore on their way to Inverness.
By Air to Inverness: Easyjet 0870 6000 000 www.easyjet.com,
BA 08457 222111. To transfer from the airport to Aviemore/Kingussie, you can hire a
car (40 minute drive) or take the train.
Whatever mode of transport you choose, we can collect you from Aviemore or Kingussie
and take to your accommodation.
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Equipment List
Check out the Equipment for Summer Alpine Mountaineering page for a full list of all the kit
you will need.
Insurance
We strongly recommend that all our clients take out mountaineering insurance
to cover against cancellation and curtailment, medical costs, personal liability,
loss of personal belongings, etc. We can advise on this - please ask. If you cancel
after you have paid your deposit, and we cannot fill your place, we will expect you
to pay the full fee as arranged - see booking conditions below.
Booking Conditions
Please send a non-refundable 50% deposit cheque with your booking form.
The balance of the course fee will be due 14 days before the start of the guiding.
If the booking is made within 14 days of the start date, please send the full fee with
the booking. If you cancel for any reason and we cannot fill your date, we will expect
you to pay the full fee as arranged and claim from the insurance company as appropriate.
If we fill your date, we will refund your fee less the deposit. If we cancel, we will
refund any money paid in full.
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