Sunday morning, usually a day of rest and religion. Not so much in the Scottish Highlands. Today I awoke painfully early. I was happy to do so. I had been given the opportunity to shadow some MICs who were running an intro to winter skills course for a University group.
I met Sam, Steve (the MICs) and Sue at the Bank Street Lodge in Fort William. After a quick meet and greet with the group they were sent off to load bags onto the mini bus. When they were all re-assembled they were shown a weather and avalanche forecast. It was grim. Death on a stick, as someone I know puts it. However Sam has a huge wealth of sneaky local knowledge to draw on and an area of possible safety was identified.
Next task was to fit crampons to the groups boots. We assembled in the covered car park and went through the demonstrations and explanations of boots and crampons. Fortunately the group were switched on and intelligent so this took less time that in could of. Then we checked that the group all had goggles, helmets and hats, as well as more gloves than you can shake a stick at (possibly the same afore mentioned stick). When it transpired that they did not have enough gloves, we went shopping.
Sam assured Sue and I that this was a normal day one of training, check the clients for kit. When they don't have the kit, take them to a shop and make sure they buy the right kit.
We then jumped in our assorted vans and mini busses and headed off to our coire.
After a long walk through the woods we finally reached the snow line. It was wet slushy snow (as forecast) so the instructors worked with what they had and imparted knowledge and skills. Using the boot as a tool, using ice axes and self arresting were all covered. By now it was getting late so it was time to head for home. The Students loved it, and all looked like they had had a good time.
No photos unfortunately as I forgot to take any. Besides, it wasn't much to look at.
I met Sam, Steve (the MICs) and Sue at the Bank Street Lodge in Fort William. After a quick meet and greet with the group they were sent off to load bags onto the mini bus. When they were all re-assembled they were shown a weather and avalanche forecast. It was grim. Death on a stick, as someone I know puts it. However Sam has a huge wealth of sneaky local knowledge to draw on and an area of possible safety was identified.
Next task was to fit crampons to the groups boots. We assembled in the covered car park and went through the demonstrations and explanations of boots and crampons. Fortunately the group were switched on and intelligent so this took less time that in could of. Then we checked that the group all had goggles, helmets and hats, as well as more gloves than you can shake a stick at (possibly the same afore mentioned stick). When it transpired that they did not have enough gloves, we went shopping.
Sam assured Sue and I that this was a normal day one of training, check the clients for kit. When they don't have the kit, take them to a shop and make sure they buy the right kit.
We then jumped in our assorted vans and mini busses and headed off to our coire.
After a long walk through the woods we finally reached the snow line. It was wet slushy snow (as forecast) so the instructors worked with what they had and imparted knowledge and skills. Using the boot as a tool, using ice axes and self arresting were all covered. By now it was getting late so it was time to head for home. The Students loved it, and all looked like they had had a good time.
No photos unfortunately as I forgot to take any. Besides, it wasn't much to look at.