Whats Included?

I price all of my courses on an instruction only basis. If I start to include accommodation or travel then this categorises me as a travel agent which I have got no aspirations to be!

On all courses I provide specialist equipment such as ropes, harnesses, helmets etc. I also provide you with a detailed kit list of the equipment that you will need to bring. I have provided copies of these kit lists below. These are updated regularly so use the one from your course notes when you book rather than these.

On overseas trips I will often be happy to organise local accommodation and transport. I do this free of charge and ask each course particiapnt to share the actual cost. For example if you join me for a weeks trekking in the Alps you pay me my course fee and then pay for the accommodation seperately to the hotels we stay at. I will have booked them all in advance.

Kit Lists

These are only a rough guide. Detailed course notes will be sent to you when you book with a comprehensive kit list for your course.

Hill Skills and Navigation Courses

Rucksack – 30 to 40 litres
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Head Torch
Walking Boots and Socks
Drink
Lunch
Hat and Gloves
1 x spare gloves
1 x spare warm layer
Spare food
Personal First Aid & sanitary supplies
Sunglasses and Sun Cream (weather dependant!)
Compass - we recommend a Silva Type 4
Map - 1:25 000 map of Snowdon - Ordnance Survey Explorer Map sheet OL17. I cut mine up and laminate them but you may wish to buy the laminated version.

UK Climbing Courses

Rucksack -(big enough to fit everything on this kit list plus rope, harness and helmet - normally about 40 litres)
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Stiff approach shoes or boots (Dependant upon venue)
Drink
Lunch
Hat and Gloves
1 x spare gloves
1 x spare warm layer
Spare food
Personal First Aid & sanitary supplies
Sunglasses and Sun Cream (weather dependant!)
Trainers or Rock Climbing Shoes

(You will need rock climbing shoes for all courses other than the rope skills and the intro to climbing where you can get away with trainers. If you are thinking of doing any more climbing after the course then a pair of rock shoes is a good investment. The best shop in the UK for rock shoes is V12 Outdoors in Llanberis where you get a 10% discount)

We will provide ropes, harnesses and helmets and all other specialised equipment. If you have any of your own gear then you are welcome to bring it along although we will only use our ropes.

UK Scrambling/Mountaineering Courses

Rucksack - 40 to 50 litres
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof trousers
Walking boots
Drink
Lunch
Hat and Gloves
Thermal top – do not wear cotton
Mountain Trousers – no cotton please
Fleece jumper
Fleece jacket
1 x spare gloves
1 x spare warm layer
Spare food
Personal First Aid & sanitary supplies
Sunglasses and Sun Cream (weather dependant!)

We will provide ropes, harnesses and helmets and all other specialised equipment if appropriate. If you have any of your own gear then you are welcome to bring it along although we will only use our ropes.

Scottish Winter Walking Courses

The extremes of winter conditions in Scotland should not be under estimated. Everything on the kit list will be required so please read it carefully and bring it all with you to save time shopping on the first day! Shell garments in particular need to be of high quality, as do boots, gloves and other warm clothing. I have written in bold the kit that I use as a general guide if you are buying new and want an idea of the sort of thing to look for.

Waterproof Jacket - full weight breathable model preferred.
I use a Crux Flak Jacket Event Jacket or a Paramo Aspira Smock
Overtrousers - with 3/4 or full length side zips.
I prefer salopettes and use Arcteryx Goretex XCR and Paramo
Rucsac 40-50l capacity - a plastic liner is a must or even better a number of exped drybags for waterproofing individual pieces of kit ie a bag for spare tops, another one for hats and gloves etc
I prefer an Alpine design without sidepockets as it will be better balanced. The lighter the sack the better – I use Mammut and Crux sacks.
Winter Mountaineering Boots suitable for crampons - need a rigid model for ice climbing courses. In Scotland I love my Scarpa Omega Thermos but these can be too rigid for some people. Scarpa Mantas are a good B2 boot.
Socks 2 pairs of warm loop lined ones.
Gaiters made from breathable material. (Goretex ideal)
Wicking thermal top not cotton please!
Merino wool is very good as it does not smell or itch.
2 Warm fleeces or equivalent.
I use Patagonia R2 fleece as it is a fibre pile fleece which gives great warmth for weight. I prefer a warm fleece to a windproof one for Scotland.
Thermal leggings or warm mountain trousers.
I wear Helly Hansen thermals under Mammut Base Jump Schoeller Trousers, often with my salopettes over the top as well. I am a skinny devil who feels the cold though!
Thin Inner Glove
Warm Ski Type Gloves
I use Mountain Equipment Guide Gloves and Black Diamond Glissade Gloves
Hat or Balaclava must fit under a helmet.
I like bright colours with tassels!
Spare Mittens especially if you suffer from cold hands.
Spare Fleece
Water Container approx 1l, or .75l flask.
I use a Nalgene with a wide top as it can double as a bowl for eating from or a hot water bottle.
Headtorch + batteries
Map, Compass + Whistle (optional, but a good idea).
Personal medications + blister kit
Ski Goggles + sun glasses
#Climbing Helmet
#Crampons with antiball plates
I use DMM Gladiators which are a C2 Crampon
#Ice Axe - 50-55 cm ideal.

# Items can be hired locally, we also have a limited supply which are available free of charge on a first come first served basis.

If you are bringing your own crampons then please make sure they fit your boots.

Scottish Winter Climbing & Mountaineering

Waterproof Jacket - full weight breathable model preferred.
I use a Crux Event Jacket and a Patagonia H2no jacket
Overtrousers - with 3/4 or full length side zips.
I prefer salopettes and use Arcteryx Goretex XCR and Paramo
Rucsac 40-50l capacity - a number of different sized drybags are a must
I prefer an Alpine design without sidepockets as it will be better balanced. The lighter the sack the better – I use Mammut and Crux sacks. I remove the internal back system as it can restrict your view when looking up with a helmet on.

Winter Mountaineering Boots suitable for crampons - need a rigid model for ice climbing courses rated either B2 or B3. In Scotland I love my Scarpa Omega Thermos but these can be too rigid for some people. Scarpa Mantas or Charmoz are a good B2 boot.
Socks 2 pairs of warm loop lined ones.
Gaiters made from breathable material. (Goretex ideal)
Wicking thermal top - not cotton please!
Merino wool is very good as it does not smell or itch.
2 Warm fleeces or equivalent.
I use Patagonia R2 fleece as it is a fibre pile fleece which gives great warmth for weight. I prefer a warm fleece to a windproof one for Scotland.
Thermal leggings or warm mountain trousers.
I wear Helly Hansen thermals under Mammut Base Jump Schoeller Trousers, often with my salopettes over the top as well. I am a skinny devil who feels the cold though!
2 pairs of gloves that are warm yet flexible enough to tie ropes, clib Krabs etc
I use Black Diamond Glissades that are excellent and Mountain Equipment Guide Gloves
Hat or Balaclava must fit under a helmet.
I like bright colours with tassels!
Spare Mittens especially if you suffer from cold hands.
Spare Fleece
Water Container approx 1l, or .75l flask.
I use a Nalgene with a wide top as it can double as a bowl for eating from or a hot water bottle.
Headtorch + batteries
Map, Compass + Whistle (optional, but a good idea).
Personal medications + blister kit
Ski Goggles + sun glasses

#Crampons with antiball plates
I use DMM Gladiators which are a C3 Crampon
#Ice Axe & Hammer - I use DMM Flys for mountaineering and Petzl Quarks for climbing.

# Items can be hired locally, we also have a limited supply which are available free of charge on a first come first served basis.

If you are bringing your own crampons then please make sure they fit your boots.