Learn How To Walk In The Scottish Hills In Winter

There are so many things to consider when hillwalking in the winter. To start with it would have to be equipment. Warmer clothing, waterproof jacket and trousers, warm hat, several pairs of gloves warmer socks and more. You also have to consider what footwear to use. It is widely believed that boots with stiffer soles are essential while walking in the winter hills. Walking boots are graded for its use in the hills. B0 boots are walking boots with bendy soles and are very common with summer hillwalkers. Even though you may get away with it walking in soft snow, it is still considered to insufficient footwear for winter hillwalking. You can start with B1 boots which are stiffened at the centre of the sole and take C1 (fully strap-on) crampons as they can flex a little. Winter mountaineering really starts with B2 boots, which are almost fully stiffened and take either C2 or C1 crampons. Last not least are the B3 fully stiffened boots. You can fit any crampon on them, advise would be to stick with C3 or C2.

The Ice axe is the number one tool for winter mountaineering. There is a lot of debate on the length of ice axes and an old rule is to have it touch your ankle when carrying in your hand. This is not really a valid point any more. It is usually considered to have shorter ice axes ranging from 50cm to 65cm. It would be all a personal preference and what you use them for. For example if you use them as a walking axe you want them slightly longer. Some people may only use them if the ground gets steeper and will have shorter 50-55cm axes.

Planning your trip in the hills is also very important. You should always go out in the hills reading the weather forecast and avalanche report first. After considering it is safe for yourself to go walking you just have to grab the right equipment and head for the hills. With avalanches it is a tricky thing though. It really comes down to experience and knowledge where to go walking without falling the risk of getting avalanched.

There are also many other skills to consider. Kicking steps with your boots (that’s one reason why you want stiffened boots), cutting steps with your ice axe and walking correctly with crampons. One of the skills which are hardly ever practiced but can safe your life on steep ground would be self-arrests. This should only be attempted with the help of people who know what they are talking about. Best would be professional outdoor instructors.

A great way of getting yourself up to scratch is a winter skills course with one of the many outdoor companies. You will be able to learn all those skills to walk on snow and ice, learn how to use your ice axe. The most common thing on a winter skills course would be to learn the ice axe arrest.

By: Andreas Heinzl

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Contact Highland Ascent to find out more about Winter Skills Courses in Scotland.