Volunteers wanted to help in setting up new intermediate winter skills courses

[El Perro Negro]

Does anybody fancy assisting in setting up the exact itinerary for these courses? We shall be away in Patagonia mid Nov to 1st week December so it willbe either before mid-Nov (if we have any snow!) or after 2nd week December to end December.

Let me know if you are interested in being a "guinea pig"?

Intermediate level Sierra Nevada "winter skills" courses available for next winter

Spanish Highs Mountain Guides have been running mountaineering and winter skills and alpine courses now in the Sierra Nevada for over 6 years. These highly popular courses have introduced hundreds to the joys of winter mountaineering. The basic course is a great introduction for those seeking use of axe, crampons, ropes etc. For people aspiring to simple Alpine peaks or glacier crossings, it is ideal.

What if you wish to develop your skills to include winter gullies and climbs? At the moment there is little.

The guides at Spanish Highs have now developed an intermediate course. There will be a 3 day minimum itinerary:

Day 1. Early start to high trailhead. Walk in to training area (2.5hrs). Afternoon spent on snow and rock belay practice in high corries and gullies. Revision of ice axe arrest and rope management. Stay overnight in unguarded hut.

Day 2. Climbing all day in easy grade 1 or 2 gullies. Emphasis will be on assessment, leading and protection placement. Overnight in hut.

Day 3. Mixed climbing, crevasse rescue, abseiling. Return to trailhead.

Equipment required:
Karimat, sleeping bag (4 season), normal winter mountain gear, duvet jacket. Gear hire (helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe and snowshoes) come free of charge as part of the course fee.

Further details:
Contact Richard Hartley via email or phone. Details from Spanish Highs Mountain Guides website.