{"id":13413,"date":"2022-07-23T01:20:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-22T23:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/?p=13413"},"modified":"2025-10-03T20:49:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T18:49:00","slug":"scottisch-winter-mountaineering","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fernwehmotive.de\/en\/scottisch-winter-mountaineering\/","title":{"rendered":"Scottisch Winter Mountaineering in Glencoe"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Scotland<\/strong> Scotland is known as a paradise for hikers, scramblers and climbers. Here, climbing the so-called Munros, or Munro bagging, is practiced like a national sport. And as soon as the first snow falls in the mountains, Munro bagging continues with crampons and ice axes. But winter mountaineering in Scotland has to be learned and practiced. We took a closer look and participated in a Scottish Winter Mountaineering course in beautiful Glencoe. With crampons, ice axe and ropes we went high up and steep down. Scottish winter weather and breathtaking views included.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unassigned, unpaid advertising. The article contains affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Almost too good to be true: Winter landscape of the Nevis Range.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Caution:<\/strong> Many Munros require a bundle of special equipment and skills. Every winter, underprepared hikers and climbers experience nasty surprises, some with fatal outcomes. Scottish winter weather and snow and ice conditions should by no means be underestimated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With crampons it feels immediately better on such a steep slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What are Munros?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Munro is the name given to all the mountains in Scotland that are higher than 3000 feet (914.4 m). They are named after Sir Hugh T. Munro, who surveyed and catalogued all the Munros in 1891. The highest of the 282 Munros is Ben Nevis at 1,345 m (3,000 ft).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climbing the Munros requires stamina and sometimes technical skills. Those who have climbed all the Munros are held in high esteem by the Scots. For me, also anyone who can remember the Gaelic names of the Munros and pronounce them is held in high esteem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the \"Three Sisters\" in Glencoe. Photo: James Highfill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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On the way back from Stob na Broige. Photo: James Highfill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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First Steps to become a Scottish Winter Mountaineer <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Impressions from our five-day course in beautiful Glencoe, Scotland<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Crampons and ice axe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The ice axe and crampons are part of the winter mountaineer's equipment. However, it is not enough to just have them with you. You also have to know how to use them and be familiar with their use. First, however, we learned how to move on the snow slope even without crampons: always hit the lateral corners of the boots into the snow. Then our instructor Chris explained to us how to use the crampons and additionally stabilize ourselves with our trekking poles or ice axe and a trekking pole. We also learned how to climb on steps in the snow or hit some with our ice axe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Good footing in the snow hole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Braking with the ice axe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After learning how to walk, we moved on to falling. Braking with the ice axe after a fall is an extremely important skill. But unfortunately it doesn't work instinctively and there is also the risk of hurting yourself with the ice axe or crampons. On a gently descending slope, we practiced braking in every imaginable scenario: head first, feet first, on our backs, on our stomachs, and everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fun must be - here is times not braked with the ice axe. The Scottish mountains turn into a white playground in winter, but it should not be underestimated.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Snow anchors, roping up, belaying and abseiling<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The next few days we learned knots and worked with ropes, slings and rappels. We built anchors with an ice axe buried in the snow, sat in snow holes to belay our climbing partners, or rappelled down using snow anchors. Later, we also used rocks for rappelling and belaying and moved alpine style over mixed terrain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Building a snow anchor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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One of many belaying options<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Belaying in the snow seat (Bucket Seat)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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In March you first have to climb up to the snow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Snow and avalanche awareness<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In winter mountaineering, snow and avalanche awareness must be considered. This was taken into account first by theory lessons in the evening and the following day with a detailed examination of the snow layers and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the dug snow wall we learn something about snow layers and their different strengths.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Are you interested in a mountaineering course? Then have a look at Adventure Peaks<\/strong><\/a>. For more information on Scottish Winter Mountaineering, visit the Mountaineering Scottland website<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scottisch Winter Grades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are different systems for grading the difficulty of a mountain route. Why does one need different ones? Well, they are adapted to the local climbing conditions. Here you can find an overview of the different scales<\/a><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scottish winter grades apply to ice and mixed conditions. Roman numerals I through IX represent the overall grade, Arabic numerals the technical grade of the most difficult section. Our beginner course was limited to grades I and II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n