Mountaineering

Mountaineering is an incredibly rewarding experience.

The raw beauty of remote and craggy massifs has an allure and hint of mysticism for most people.

The mountains are a magical place to be and will provide a lifetime of treasured memories.

The sense of achievement of reaching a hard won summit is irreplaceable.

To safely explore the mountain environment uses skills that I can help you to acquire. With over 20 years' experience of mountaineering, both in the UK and overseas.

I offer a complete range of courses developed to encourage safe practice.

If you are planning a day out in the hills, would like to improve your navigation skills or take on a more technical scramble.

I can provide instruction whatever your ability.

I tailor all courses individually to enable you to make a safe progression whilst enjoying the mountains with confidence.

Do you want to make the transition from hillwalking up to scrambling to enable you to explore the higher ridges of the mountains?

Courses include aspects of navigation and route finding as well as movement coaching on steep ground

Scrambling courses are most suited to those with some previous hillwalking experience

Course Includes

  • Safe use of technical equipment 
  • Appropriate navigation techniques 
  • Guide book interpretation and route choice
  • Route finding 
  • Appropriate use of a rope when required
  • Safe descent techniques
  • Ratios 1:2

 

Could you navigate effectively in poor visibility and poor weather conditions? The key to safe mountaineering is good navigation and route planning combined with an understanding of prevailing weather conditions.

Navigation courses are one to three days in duration generally run in the Peak District, North Wales or the Lake District. Tuition is offered at all levels whether you want to improve your skills to lead a family walk or to train for a NGB award. 

No experience is necessary and courses will be delivered to clients of a similar ability level to maximise learning potential within the group.

 Course content

  • Orientation of the map
  • Symbols and scales
  • Grid references
  • Ground shape and contour interpretation
  • Micro navigation
  • Macro navigation
  • Pacing and timing distance
  • Measuring and walking on a compass bearing 
  • Relocation strategies
  • Night navigation
  • Ratio: Maximum of 1:8