The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) is offering a great opportunity for members to learn how to climb ice safely and efficiently on a training course in Norway.
The course is subsidized by £200 per person from the Mountain Safety budget and is aimed at those who have summer and winter hill walking experience and some summer rock climbing skills. There are only 10 places, open to MCofS members only and priority will be given to those who demonstrate some commitment to passing on their new found skills to other club members.
The ice climbing 5 day training course will be held in Rjukan, Norway, and will be staffed by experienced and professional instructors.
The MCofS says the actual programme will be very flexible; with the instructors basing the week around the prevailing climbing conditions, taking into account individual needs and aims, weather, ice conditions etc; but may include the following: –
Individual coaching, to develop ice tool placement, body positioning and crampon use on steep ice. Climbing at a variety of locations, the course will cover movement on a variety of ice including, brittle, plastic or featured ice, chandeliers and pillars. Placing protection will be looked at in detail, from screw placement on the lead to construction of belays and retreating from routes via abseil using Abalakov threads. Lead climbing strategies for climbing single and multi pitch ice climbs, including psychological preparation and route choice.
For more details contact Heather Morning, MCofS Safety Officer, details can be found here.