FCT Winter Outdoors Brochure 2021

Winter Adult Outdoor Programme 2021

Winter Programme Welcome Welcome to our winter adult community programme. This year we are running single day outings and linked skills courses. We hope we have something for everyone whatever your aspirations and ability.

Coronavirus Information We fully comply with current Scottish Government Coronavirus guidelines.

People who are symptomatic should seek a test and self-isolate in line with current Scottish Government advice and NHS guidance and MUST NOT ATTEND ANY COURSE. On application to book any of our courses we will send you a Coronavirus information letter stating current guidelines and how we operate in the outdoors during the pandemic.

We participate in the Government’s Test and Protect programme. Your personal details will be collated in line with guidelines.

Please be aware that there may be a need to adapt to changes in guidance at short notice.

Contents

2

Activity

Page

Welcome & Introduction

2–5

Seasonal Highlights

6

Winter High Tops

8 – 11

Winter Mountaineering

12 – 13

Winter Climbing

14 – 15

Winter Mountain Skills Courses

16 – 17

Ski Touring

18 – 21

Falkirk Outdoors

Front Cover Photo credit: Craig McLaren | Page 2-3 Photo credit: Craig McLaren

Information and Bookings Our office will remain closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic. We will only take bookings over the phone. We are limiting the number of participants in our building to a minimum. This means the only time you will be on our premises is on the day of your course.

For information and to book a course please contact the Outdoor team using the details below.

Outdoor Activities Base Victoria Building Annexe, Queen Street, Falkirk, FK2 7AF Tel: 01324 506846 Email: outdooractivities@falkirkcommunitytrust.org Web: www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/outdoors Payment must be made by debit or credit card over the phone. Full payment must be made before a course can be booked. Details of prices can be found alongside our list of course dates.

Once you have booked a course we will send you via email: • confirmation of booking • cancellation policy • medical consent form (to be signed and brought in on the course date) • coronavirus information letter (to be signed and brought in on the course date) • list of equipment required for your course Participants are strongly advised to take out travel insurance to cover the cost of our courses in the event of unforeseen circumstances preventing them attending any course which falls outwith our cancellation period.

Equipment Our modern and comprehensive stores have a full range of equipment for all of our courses. The stores will be open on the morning of your course for you to borrow anything you need. All this is included in the course fee. You are welcome to use any of your own equipment on our courses if agreed with the instructor on the day.

Transport and Venues All our course start and finish from our main office at Victoria buildings (address above) and transport to and from there is included in the course fee. We have a large car park to leave vehicles and we are a short walk from Falkirk train (Grahamston) and bus stations.

Start times are listed with the course dates and finish times will vary. Please ensure you plan on being out with us all day.

Due to our Coronavirus regulations we are currently restricted to transporting four participants in our vehicle per activity. On some activities participants can choose to meet us at the activity venue, but they will still need to be booked on the course in the usual way.

Outdoor activities are weather dependent and activity venues may be decided on the day of activity.

3

Outdoors Winter Staff Team John Jackson John heads up the Community Programme and is the manager of the Outdoors team. He holds the Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor certificate, Mountain Ski Leader as well as a host of paddlesports qualifications.

He has climbed and skied extensively in the European Alps as well as other mountain areas throughout the world.

Craig McLaren Craig holds the Winter Mountain Leader award and he is responsible for planning the High Tops days and trips.

He has been wandering the Scottish hills in all weathers for 40 years. This time in the mountains has allowed him to build up a very good knowledge-base of all things Scottish hill related.

Michael Hunt Mike has an extensive skiing background.

He holds the BASI 2 award and is a Mountain Ski Leader. He immerses himself in all aspects of skiing including telemarking.

He is also a Mountain Bike Leader, Winter Mountain Leader and is responsible for coordinating the Outdoors team’s delivery of activities for schools.

4

Photo credit: Craig McLaren

Martin Holland Martin has been climbing for 40 years.

He holds the Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor certificate and is a very active all-round climber. His speciality is seeking out esoteric new winter routes, especially in the Southern Highlands.

Martin is also a devotee of mountain marathons, sea kayaking and ski mountaineering. Martin is an enthusiastic and highly experienced instructor.

Euan Whittaker Euan holds the IFMGA Guides carnet which is the highest worldwide qualification in mountaineering, off piste skiing and ski touring.

He has been instructing and guiding mountain activities for 24 years. These days, he splits his time between the European Alps, Norway and Scotland delivering courses in alpine mountaineering, rock and ice climbing, off piste skiing and ski touring.

5

Seasonal Highlights

• Prices held from last season • Staying as local as is feasible this season • Twenty two Munros on the High Tops list • New and classic mountaineering and winter climbing challenges • Compressed programme of winter skills • Condensed programme of ski coaching and guided touring 6

Photo credit: Craig McLaren

MOUNTAIN GUIDE PANT Designed and purpose-built specifically for mountain professionals, this durable, weatherproof pant is fully featured with a high durability-to-weight ratio for maximum comfort mobility.

7

Winter High Tops Cost £40 Starts at 0700

Beinn Each & Stuc a’ Chroin

Big days on the hill are our speciality.

Scottish winter mountain conditions can be harsh but the rewards are huge.

Being safely guided by us will enable you to have a memorable outing regardless of the weather.

12.9km + 1200 metres of ascent

Previous winter walking experience, or completion of a recent winter skills course, is an essential prerequisite for these walks.

Beinn Ime & Beinn Narnain 9.7km + 1150 metres of ascent

08/01/21 The usual approach to these two fine Arrochar Munros is from Succoth, but that involves and extra 4km walk and more ascent. If the Rest and Be Thankful road isn’t falling down we can go from there. It’s a less scenic plod to the bealach but we can make fast progress that way, which is essential in early January.

8

Photo credit: Craig McLaren

17/01/21 This is a great pairing of a Corbett and Munro. Beinn Each’s summit is reached easily enough but the onward route to the Stuc is long and lumpy - and we’re planning to stick to the fence line. Once that fun is over it’s up to our Munro then down to Glen Ample for an easy track back to the road.

Ben Oss & Beinn Dubhchraig

Meall Glas & Sgiath Chuil

16.8km + 1220 metres of ascent

15.4km + 1180 metres of ascent

22/01/21 This is a classic winter outing, not to be underestimated if conditions are hard.

The Caledonian pinewood approach is a sweet bonus - it’s the finest stretch of indigenous flora in these parts. Steep route finding between the Munros keeps things interesting and the views are good from the summits.

05/02/21 These two Munros can be tough going if the upland bog surrounding the flank of Meall Glas isn’t frozen or if it’s covered in deep new snow. A steep descent followed by a just as steep reascent will keep the blood pumping. Don’t let any of that put you off – they’re cracking hills in winter.

Buachaille Etive Mor 12.4km & 1010 metres of ascent

13/02/21 The big Buachaille’s two Munros, Stob na Broige and Stob Dearg, can be ticked on a committing winter outing.

Our preferred route will go up Coire na Tulaich and down Coire Altruim but it’ll depend on snow conditions on the day.

9

Winter High Tops Creag Mhor & Beinn Heasgarnich 20.1km + 1380 metres or ascent

18/02/21 If we can get up the Pubil road to the hydro track it reduces a very long winter outing to something manageable. Utilising the hydro track again after Heasgarnich limits the frozen bog trotting somewhat. If we can’t drive up to this high start we’re in for a bigger day.

Stob a’ Choire Odhair & Stob Ghabhar 15.9km + 1230 metres of ascent

25/02/21 Two very contrasting Munros sit side by side at the south east end of the Balckmount. A’ Choire Odhair is a straightforward plod and Ghabhair is not – the ascent onto its own Aonach Eagach is steep and the ridge itself involves a short stretch bordering on mountaineering. After the difficulties the summit comes easy enough, but it’s a fair distance back to the road.

Glas Tulaichean & Carn an Righ 26.7km + 1120 metres of ascent

07/03/21 Estate tracks and a dismantled railway eases the way into this esoteric southern edge of the Cairngorm National Park. After Tulaichean the going feels a lot more remote, with the summit of Carn an Righ feeling a long way from civilisation.

10

Photo credit: Craig McLaren

An Caisteal, Beinn a’ Chroin & Beinn Chabhair 16.3km + 1510 metres of ascent

12/03/21 Linking Beinn Chabhair with its two nearest Munro neighbours makes for an interesting, if long, stravaig. Starting from Derrydaroch, Stob Dubh is first then over to our first Munro, An Caisteal.

The way to Beinn a’ Chroin can be serious under full winter conditions.

We return to the bealach and on to Beinn Chabhair, then over Meall nan Tarmachan on the way back.

Ben Cruachan & Stob Daimh 13.2km + 1400 metres of ascent

26/03/21 This Munro round packs a real punch.

They are a serious undertaking in winter, but if conditions are right and we’re going well, the Corbett at the end could be in our sights. It’s a committing undertaking so fitness and solid mountaincraft, as well as luck with the weather, will be a prerequisite if we are to complete this. If we do Beinn a’ Bhuiridh add half a k and 160 metres of ascent.

Carn Dearg & Sgor Gaibhre 23.5km + 985 metres of ascent

04/04/21 As winter turns to spring, we like to stretch our legs a bit. This round of two Rannoch Munros will fit the bill nicely.

The views from the ridge are expansive and a bit special. It’s worth adding the Corbett if we are moving well, but it’ll add another 3.4km with over 200 vertical metres to an already taxing day.

11

Winter Mountaineering Winter Mountaineering Cost £50 starts at 0700 Our mountaineering days will take you along a classic ridge or up a graded gully. The days will normally involve the use of just a walking axe (not technical climbing axes); however the variable nature of the Scottish winter conditions can make a grade I plod highly exciting on the day.

A good level of competence in winter hill walking is required for these days.

24/01/21 Chockstone Gully & Great Gully link Up (Grade II) 06/01/21 Curved Ridge – Buachaille Etive Mor (Grade II/III) GLEN ETIVE We offer a magnificent route up a superlative mountain with this classic winter climb which has a bit of everything: route finding, steep ground and some of the best views over to Rannoch Moor. We finish up on top of the mighty Buachaille Etive Mor. 12 Photo credit: Martin Holland

ARROCHAR This is the best mountaineering route up to the summit of The Cobbler’s North Summit. Chockstone Gully is steady with the amazing jammed chockstone providing great sport at the end. A short walk leads to Great Gully which has an awkward step to gain the main gully feature. Topping out on the summit is the icing on the cake.

If the gullies aren’t an option we’ll do the South East Ridge (Grade 2/3 or III) instead.

04/02/21

28/02/21

The Gullies of Coire Fee (Grade I/III)

Summit Gully - Stob Coire Nam Beith (Grade II)

GLEN CLOVA

GLEN COE

South Wall in Coire Fee offers a range of low grade climbs. In ideal conditions we could spend a fine day here going up the II’s and back down the I’s. If Look C Gully is in you might be in for a treat.

This is the most obvious feature and line on this fantastic peak (north/west top of Bidean nam Bian). The route itself offers 450 meters of climbing which provides a long and sustained mountaineering day.

Any day out on Bidean’s massif is a good use of one’s time and ability – even more so in winter.

11/03/21 Aonach Eagach Ridge (Grade II/III) GLEN COE This outing is popular enough for us to run it at least once a year. It’s billed by some as the hardest scramble on the mainland but the moves are pretty straight forward if you are on a rope.

Taking in two Munros, we start at the higher eastern end and then scramble towards the western seaboard.

20/03/21 Central Gully (Grade I) BEN LUI A classic tick on anyone’s Scottish mountaineering bucketlist, Central Gully is long, feels remote, and tops out on an iconic hill with amazing views in every direction. We’ll add in an esoteric approach from the Glen Lochy side to make this a day to remember.

Photo credit: Martin Holland

13

Winter Climbing We don’t advertise winter climbing venues in advance so we can go where conditions are best on the day.

Intro to Winter Climbing Cost ÂŁ65 starts at 0700 This course is for those who have experience of using winter walking equipment (crampons and ice axe) but have not yet experienced the thrill of Scottish winter climbing.

This course will look at being organised for winter climbing, the use of two ice axes and the removal of winter anchors. It is the perfect stepping stone towards our winter climbing courses.

Previous winter walking / mountaineering experience is essential.

09/01/21

28/01/21

14 Photo credit: Martin Holland

Winter Climbing Cost £65 starts at 0700 For those of you who wish to get onto steeper ground with technical tools our winter climbing days should tick all the right boxes. As usual we do not pre-plan specific routes so we have the flexibility to find the best winter conditions. This is a chance to be guided up one of Scotland’s classic climbs, either on west coast ice or Cairngorm mixed ground.

Previous climbing experience is essential.

10/01/21

31/01/21

04/03/21

18/03/21

14/01/21

14/02/21

14/03/21

28/03/21 15

Winter Mountain Skills Courses

Introduction to Scottish Winter Skills & Winter navigation and Avalanche Awareness.

With these two courses we hope to give you some of the building blocks that will enable you to enjoy journeying through Scotland’s winter environment.

These skills days stand alone or can be linked to provide progression.

Intro to Scottish Winter Skills Cost: £40 Starts at 0700 This is an essential day for anyone who wants to enjoy Scotland’s mountains in winter conditions. This is a full day on the hill and will consist of looking at equipment for winter hill walking and skills such as ‘using the boot as a tool’, cramponing techniques, walking with an axe and self-arrest.

Previous summer hill walking experience is essential.

16

07/01/21

12/02/21

21/01/21

06/03/21

Photo credit: Craig McLaren

inter Navigation & W Avalanche Awareness

Winter Navigation & Avalanche Awareness Cost: ÂŁ40 Starts at 0700 Our winter navigation course is for hill walkers who have some experience of using a map and compass navigating in the mountain environment. This course will cover winter navigation tactics and will include an element of avalanche avoidance and safe-travel.

Previous winter hill walking experience or completion of a recent winter skills course is essential.

30/01/21 20/02/21 Photo credit: Craig McLaren

17

Ski Touring

All our days are guided by a British Mountain Guide or Mountain ski Instructor.

All ski equipment (skis, boots, poles etc.) and safety equipment is available for clients and is included in the course fee, however you are welcome to bring your own Our ski touring programme caters for all levels of off-piste skiers; from novice tourers to those after steep descents where fresh tracks are guaranteed. We also offer ski mountaineering, i.e. climbing with planks on your back, as well as a dedicated off-piste techniques course.

Our Courses Intro to Ski Touring

Guided Ski Touring

18

Photo credit: Michael Hunt

Ski Mountaineering

Intro to Ski Touring These days are aimed at those who have onpiste experience but wish to move into the backcountry! The day will have an emphasis on skill acquisition and this will be delivered whilst in the context of a simple ski tour. Typical venues for these days include Geal Charn in the Drummochter Pass or the Lawers range above Loch Tay. During the day topics covered will include equipment familiarisation and use, ascending techniques (including the use of skins, heal risers and ski crampons), efficient travel, safe travel, and basic avalanche search and rescue techniques using transceiver, shovel and probe.

This course provides excellent preparation for our other courses and at the end of the day the instructional team will be able to advise you on where to go next.

Ski ability- confident skiing on red runs

Guided Ski Touring A day out in the mountains ski touring.

There will be elements of teaching if required, however the focus will be on getting out and enjoying the hills.

Previous trips have involved completing summits such as A’Bhuidheanach Bheag in the Drummochter Pass, Glas Maol in Glenshee and a traverse of Meall a’Choire Leith and Meall Corranaich in the Lawers region.

Ski ability- confident skiing on red runs and some experience of ski touring.

A reasonable level of fitness is also required

Ski Mountaineering Some would say the best way up a mountain is to climb and the best way down is to ski. This is it! We plan to skin in to a classic climb (grade I/II) Then ski off via a different route back down. Examples of previous days include the ascent of Emel Ridge (grade II) to the summit of Beinn an Dothaidh followed by a descent of Coire Daingean and Central Gully (grade I/II) in the Cairngorms followed by a decent of Coire Cas. Ski Ability- confident skiing red runs, experience of ski touring summits in Scotland or the Alps & winter mountaineering experience 19

Ski Touring

Guided ski touring day Intro to Ski Touring Cost £45 Starts at 0700 Ski ability – confident descending red runs on pisted slopes

Ski ability – confident on red runs and experience of ski touring summits in Scotland or the Alps

16/01/21

27/02/21

15/01/21

26/02/21

29/01/21

05/03/21

23/01/21

21/03/21

07/02/21

19/03/21

11/02/21

27/03/21

06/02/21 20

Cost £50 Starts at 0700

Photo credit: Craig McLaren

Ski Mountaineering Cost £65 Starts at 0700 Ski ability – confident on red runs and experience of ski touring summits in Scotland or the Alps

13/03/21

25/03/21 21

Community Winter Programme - At a Glance High Tops | Mountaineering | Winter Climbing | Winter Skills | Skiing JANUARY

22

FEBRUARY

MARCH

1

Office Closed

2

Office Closed

3

Office Closed

4

Office Closed

Mountaineering

Winter Climbing

5

Office Closed

High Tops

Guided Ski Touring

6

Mountaineering

Intro to Ski Touring

Winter Skills

7

Winter Skills

Guided Ski Touring

High Tops

8

High Tops

9

Intro to Winter Climbing

10

Winter Climbing

11

Guided Ski Touring

Mountaineering

12

Winter Skills

High Tops

13

High Tops

Ski Mountaineering

Winter Climbing

Winter Climbing

14

Winter Climbing

15

Intro to Ski Touring

Photo credit: Craig McLaren Back Page Photo credit: Martin Holland

JANUARY 16

Guided Ski Touring

17

High Tops

18

FEBRUARY

MARCH

High Tops

Winter Climbing Guided Ski Touring

19

Winter Navigation & Avalanche Awareness

20 21

Winter Skills

22

High Tops

23

Intro to Ski Touring

24

Mountaineering

Mountaineering Intro to Ski Touring

25

High Tops

Ski Mountaineering

26

Intro to Ski Touring

High Tops

27

Guided Ski Touring

Guided Ski Touring

Mountaineering

Winter Climbing

28

Intro to Winter Climbing

29

Guided Ski Touring

30

Winter Navigation & Avalanche Awareness

31

Winter Climbing

23

OUTDOOR ACTIVITY BASE Victoria Buildings, Queen Street, Falkirk.

Tel: 01324 506846

outdooractivities@falkirkcommunitytrust.org www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/outdoors falkirkoutdoors

Falkirk Community Trust gratefully acknowledges the support of Falkirk Council