Winter Courses

[Jaymondo]

Hello all,

Great site. Just wondering if there was anyone who could recommend a
good weekend winter skills course based in the Lakes. Looking to cover
all the basics such as crampon and ice axe use, ropes, emergency shelters etc. I've found a few sites on the net but nothing beats a personal recommendation. Thanks in advance.

Jay.

[Gary]

Have you considered something like the Mountain leaders course?

[Jaymondo]

Thanks for your reply Gary. I want to do some winter camping and bushcraft and have knowledge of winter travel, but want to get some more technical experience. The weekend course is due to finances and time constraints. Do you have a source of info on the Mountain leaders
course for future reference.

Cheers

Jay.

[sargey]

not the lakes but you could try this lot http://www.pyb.co.uk/winter.html a cpouple of friends have done course there and liked 'em.

cheers, and.

[Jaymondo]

Thanks Sargey. I'll give them a bell.

[Jon]

I have to agree with Sargey, the National Mountain Centre at Plas Y Brenin is second-to-none in the world. I used to earn my living as a climbing instructor and I have only ever heard the highest praise for the centre and its instructors.
You ask about the Mountain Leader Course, it is a national qualification for those wanting to take inexperienced people walking in the mountains. It assumes that the candidates are already experienced walkers and concentrates on the skills needed to look after a group. The training and the assessment is carried out at many differant centres.

Plas Y Brenin will certainly run this scheme but if you are looking to enhance your own skills they run a range of courses in Walking, Climbing, Mountaineering, Canoeing etc at levels from beginers to veteran.

Go for it, you will have a good time and be learning from the best.

Jon

[Jon]

I used to earn my living as a climbing instructor

Jon

True, but makes it sound far more grand than it was.

Jon