It’s back and better than ever… read on to find out about the 2016 edition of Trek & Mountain’s famous Winter Meet, to be held on March 12-14
For the third year running Trek & Mountain is delighted to be running our famous Scottish winter weekend and, for 2016, this action packed weekend will be based in the East Highlands Mecca of Aviemore. The event has grown year on year and we’ve always received fantastic feedback from participants – the chance to gain some new skills while enjoying the beauty of the Scottish winter mountains in the company of like-minded outdoor goers is priceless, and we really hope you’ll join us to make this year’s event the best yet!
THE VENUE
Aviemore makes a perfect base for the weekend, with great infrastructure, good transport links and, most importantly, great access to a host of world-class walks and climbs. We will be basing the event out of Aviemore’s very well-appointed central Youth Hostel, although one of the big attractions of Aviemore is the wide range of accommodation available. We are also offering more course options for this year along with the usual brilliant evening activities.
As usual, our partners Peak Mountaineering will be managing the training and, although brief details on the course options is listed below, there is plenty more information available on their website at www.peakmountaineering.com. There are five course options available offering something for everyone from winter beginner to seasoned winter campaigner. All the courses will be run by very experienced instructors and technical equipment will be provided.
THE COURSES
Winter Skills – £250
Our 3-day Winter Skills Course is a great winter option suitable both for those new to the winter mountains as well as those keen to brush up on existing skills. For the first couple of days participants cover a ‘toolbox’ of key winter skills before putting getting the chance to put them into practice on a third ‘mountain journey’ day. The first 2 days of skills development will give you the confidence to plan and execute the mountain journey independently and yet still have the safety blanket of being under the watchful eye of an expert instructor.
Winter Mountaineering – £385
Our Winter Mountaineering Course is a great option if you have some experience in the winter mountains and now want to develop the additional skills required to progress onto graded winter routes. It will also help prepare you if you have plans to head onto easier mountaineering itineraries in the Alps or Greater Ranges. Over 3 action packed days we’ll refresh your basic winter techniques and knowledge while developing the rope skills needed to get you operating safely on routes up to grade 2. You’ll also end the 3 days having ticked a bunch of classic Scottish mountaineering routes. Like all our technical courses Peak Mountaineering’s Winter Mountaineering Course has a very low instructor to client ratio (1:2) so you’ll get the most from your training.
Winter Climbing – £385
Our Winter Climbing Course is perfect if you have some previous winter experience and now want to fully get to grips with climbing in winter conditions. Using a range of climbs in the grade 2-5 range will allow us to introduce you to all the key winter climbing skills as well as allowing us to tick off some Scottish winter classics. The Winter Climbing Course has a very low instructor to client ratio (1:2) so you’ll certainly get the most from your training and it also means we can pair up clients of similar ability so don’t feel this course will be either too difficult for you or that you won’t get pushed sufficiently – we are experts in matching the challenge to your experience level!
Winter Lead Climbing – £385
A course specifically aimed at getting experienced winter mountaineers confidently leading graded winter routes. The exact course content is kept as flexible as possible to cater for individual needs but our use of progressive teaching methods and the low instructor to client ratios (1:2) will ensure you progress safely and efficiently on your journey towards becoming an independent winter leader. Gaining the skills and confidence to lead winter routes will open up a whole new world of possibilities and we look forward to helping on your journey.
Winter Classics Weekend – £385
Some people have that ‘must do’ route that has been on their list for ages and others, while not being so bothered about learning skills, are keen to be guided up some of the best routes available. If so, this new option could be perfect for you. Over 3 days our instructors will guide you up a range of great routes tailored to your abilities and aspirations. We run this course with a low ratio of 1:2 and, as the content can be tailored to suit the skill level of participants, we only ask that attendees have a good fitness level and some knowledge of basic winter skills.
Receive a Primaloft vest, WindStopper beanie and long-sleeve baselayer free!
RECEIVE £200-WORTH OF SALEWA KIT WHEN YOU SIGN-UP!
Trek & Mountain is delighted to be partnering with Salewa for this year’s Winter Meet, and all participants will receive some fantastic Salewa apparel as part of the package, and also get the opportunity to try out Salewa technical equipment including helmets, crampons and ice axes. But before we tell you what gear you’ll be getting, allow us to tell you a bit more about Salewa…
For Salewa, South Tyrol is more than just a location; it is the home of the brand and a place where all facets of mountain sports can be experienced. This makes it the ideal place for product development, and their new product families have been given names to establish a direct connection with the mountains there – Sesvenna, Antelao and Ortles. At 3,905m The Ortles is the most majestic peak in the Dolomites; it’s the highest mountain in South Tyrol and an icon for alpinism. Brand new for spring 2016, and named after this magnificent peak, are the Ortles PrimaLoft Vest, Ortles Cubic PL baselayer and Ortles WS Beanie – all engineered for active use in the mountains and designed to be perfect for the demands of alpine mountaineers. Not only are they ideal for the mountains of the South Tyrol, they are also great for Scotland, and everyone who signs up for this year’s event will receive their own Ortles Vest, Ortles Baselayer and Ortles Beanie to keep.
As well as the fantastic clothing they will receive, attendees of the Winter Meet 2016 will also be able to test out the latest technical gear from Salewa, including helmets, axes and crampons. Since bringing the first tubular ice screws, step-in crampons and tuber belay devices to market in the 1960’s Salewa has been an innovator in technical hardware for use in the mountains. For the event they will be providing the brand new Vega helmet, the North-X and Tour-X axes, the amazing Quick Screw Ice Screws and other great products to test. Not only that, participants will be offered the products they have tested at the end of the weekend at a specially discounted price. More info: www.salewa.com