OUTLINE:

• Winter Navigation

Learn to maps and use a compass in snow‑covered and featureless ground, including navigation in whiteout.

Assess contours, slope aspect, and snow cover in route choice. 

Use timing, pacing and other method of navigation to your advantage 

Learnt to use change in gradient and slope angle to stay safe and read the terrain 

Navigate on 1:40 & 1:50k maps effectively

• Terrain Awareness

How to plan and follow safe routes in winter terrain: identifying hazards, avoiding terrain traps and understanding terrain features under snow.

Interpret how snow conditions and visibility affect route‑finding, travel speed and decision making.

And introduce avalanche terrain and hazard recognition: what to look out for, and how to factor that into navigation and route planning.

• Avalanche Awareness & Safe Decision‑Making

You’ll learn:

How to use SAIS forecasts, local weather and observations to inform safe decision‑making.

To apply the Be Avalanche Aware process: planning your route through potential avalanche terrain, identifying hazard zones, and selecting safe alternatives.

To recognise unstable snow indicators, corniced ridges, terrain traps and steep slopes. 

Explore heuristic traps and how they influence out decision making in the mountains.

To plan and lead short navigation segments under supervision, followed by debriefs to review choices and consolidate learning.

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WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Two full days of hands‑on training in winter mountain conditions.

• Practical navigation exercises on snow‑covered ground and in low visibility.

• Realistic focus on decision‑making, hazard awareness and safe route choice, not just technical movement.

• Emphasis on walking/winter hill terrain - no technical climbing involved.

• Group sizes kept small to ensure plenty of feedback and personal coaching.

• Laptop/field discussion using SAIS & Be Avalanche Aware tools to underpin the decision making.

SKILLS COVERED

• Winter navigation: map & compass in snow, whiteout navigation, featureless terrain.

• Route planning for winter: safe line choice, timing, alternative routes.

• Terrain assessment for avalanche risk: slope angle/aspect, cornices, terrain traps.

• Interpretation of SAIS forecasts, Be Avalanche Aware framework & field observations.

• Decision‑making and group management in winter mountains.

• Time, energy and kit management for winter walking.

• Emergency awareness and safe retreat strategies in snow‑covered mountain terrain.

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WHAT YOU NEED:

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

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

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

We can provide crampons, ice axe, helmets and other technical equipment.

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WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

• Experienced hillwalkers wanting to gain confidence in winter conditions

• Walkers with basic winter experience looking to gain confidence on steeper ground

• Anyone preparing for independent winter journeys on classic Scottish mountains & Munros​

• Winter Mountain Leaders (and Trainees) looking to develop their knowledge in winter terrain. 

• Walkers who want to build sound judgment and decision‑making in winter conditions.

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Suitable for ages 18+

This course is aimed at hillwalkers looking for progression in winter mountain terrain, and for those looking to build judgement and decision making in winter mountiain terrain to stay safe on their adventures.