Hill and Mountain
Digging a snow hole, detecting an avalanche, pacing and timing… just a handful of techniques you can learn on YHA’s Hillwalking and Mountaineering breaks to improve your confidence and skills. Safety and navigation breaks could help improve your skills and give you the confidence to get out and embrace the elements. Alternatively just join us for a walking break.
Winter Hill Walking 18+
Hillwalking in winter can be a highly rewarding activity but does bring with it the requirement to have knowledge of extra skills. This course is designed to cover the essential winter skills. You will learn to use ice axe and crampons,navigate and deal with survival situations. This course is physically less demanding than Winter Mountaineering but also includes the Bronze Navigation syllabus with assessment for those who wish to
complete it. Ice axe and crampons are provided.
2nts: 09.01.09, 23.01.09, 20.02.09, 06.03.09
Price: £159
Price includes two nights accommodation and all meals (including packed lunches and a free flask filling service) starting with breakfast on Saturday morning and finishing with afternoon tea on Sunday. Please note that evening meal on Friday (7pm) is not included but may be booked in advance and paid for on arrival if required.
Tuition by fully qualified instructors is included and is arranged by Summitreks, well known and respected providers of outdoor activities. Participants will need to provide their own transport to the hostel and for the short journeys to the start of the walks or to share with other participants.
Itinerary
| Friday | 8.30pm | Course introduction. Equipment check and discussion. Briefing for Saturday |
| Saturday | 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9am | Depart for mountain day. You may be ascending Helvellyn, Scafell or similar mountains and en route covering topics such as ice axe self arrest, step cutting, crampon skills and winter navigation techniques. | |
| 5pm | Return to YHA Derwentwater | |
| 7pm | Dinner | |
| 8pm | Talk and discussion on hypothermia and survival and weather forecasts. Video - avalanches, cause and avoidance | |
| Sunday | 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9am | Depart for mountain day. Consolidation of ice axe and crampon skills. Construction of snow shelters and survival techniques. Avalanche detection techniques. | |
| 4.30pm | Afternoon tea. Final debriefing. |
In the event of unsuitable weather conditions the course will not be cancelled but the itinerary may be amended or adapted.
General information
Insurance
It is recommended that you take out personal travel insurance. YHA and Summintreks have public liability insurance. YHA abides by the EC Package Travel Directives and Guidelines and has taken out insurance to cover monies paid in advance by customers.
What to bring
The following items are essential to ensure you gain the maximum safety and enjoyment from your holiday. Items marked * are available to buy from the shop at YHA Derwentwater.
| Map 1:25000 (NE and possibly NW)* | Plastic survival bag (8' x 4')* | Waterproof jacket with hood |
| Whistle* | Pencil and paper | Thermos flask |
| Personal first aid kit | Compass - Silva type recommended* | Hat or balaclava |
| Rucksack (approx 40 litres) | Boots with good sole and reasonably stiff (suitable for crampons) | Torch, spare batteries and bulb |
| Gaiters amd map case (optional) | Warm clothes - not jeans | Emergency rations (=4 Mars Bars)* |
| Waterproof trousers | Gloves or mittens |
Course members are entitled to 15% discount on equipment purchased at Summitreks equipment shop in Coniston, Ambleside or Grasmere. Tel: 01539 441212
Minimum numbers
A minimum of four participants is needed to run the course. If there is insufficient demand we will inform you two weeks before the start of the course.
Tel: 0845 371 9314
Email: derwentwater@yha.org.uk
Winter Mountaineering 18+
A weekend in the Lakeland mountains ideal for either an introduction or consolidation of winter skills. This course is more technical than its counterpart Winter Hillwalking and covers basic rope protection skills in addition to ice axe and crampon techniques. Navigation is undertaken to Bronze National Navigation Award standard. For those who wish, assessment is possible with the award of a Bronze NNA certificate for successful participants. Ice axe and crampons are provided.
2nts: 12.12.08, 30.01.09, 13.02.09, 27.02.09, 13.03.09
Price: £159
Price includes two nights accommodation and all meals (including packed lunches and a free flask filling service) starting with breakfast on Saturday morning and finishing with afternoon tea on Sunday. Please note that evening meal on Friday (7pm) is not included but may be booked in advance and paid for on arrival if required.
Tuition by fully qualified instructors is included and is arranged by Summitreks, well known and respected providers of outdoor activities. Participants will need to provide their own transport to the hostel and for the short journeys to the start of the walks or to share with other participants.
Itinerary
| Friday | 8.30pm | Course introduction. Equipment check and discussion. Briefing for Saturday |
| Saturday | 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9am | Depart for mountain day. A day on the Lake District high fells covering self arrest techniques, step cutting, crampon skills and simple security systems with a rope. Course members will be given the opportunity to improve their navigation skills using timing and pacing systems. | |
| 5pm | Return to YHA Derwentwater | |
| 7pm | Dinner | |
| 8pm | Talk and discussion on hypothermia and survival and weather forecasts. Video - avalanches, cause and avoidance | |
| Sunday | 7.30am - 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9am | Depart for mountain day. Consolidation of ice axe and crampon skills. Avalanche detection and snow pits. Snow shelters and survival skills. Steep ground techniques with axe and crampons. | |
| 4.30pm | Afternoon tea. Final debriefing. |
General information
Insurance
It is recommended that you take out personal travel insurance. YHA and Summintreks have public liability insurance. YHA abides by the EC Package Travel Directives and Guidelines and has taken out insurance to cover monies paid in advance by customers.
What to bring
The following items are essential to ensure you gain the maximum safety and enjoyment from your holiday. Items marked * are available to buy from the shop at YHA Derwentwater.
| Map 1:25000 (NE and possibly NW)* | Plastic survival bag (8' x 4')* | Waterproof jacket with hood |
| Whistle* | Pencil and paper | Thermos flask |
| Personal first aid kit | Compass - Silva type recommended* | Hat or balaclava |
| Rucksack (approx 40 litres) | Boots with good sole and reasonably stiff (suitable for crampons) | Torch, spare batteries and bulb |
| Gaiters amd map case (optional) | Warm clothes - not jeans | Emergency rations (=4 Mars Bars)* |
| Waterproof trousers | Gloves or mittens |
Course members are entitled to 15% discount on equipment purchased at Summitreks equipment shop in Coniston, Ambleside or Grasmere. Tel: 01539 441212
Minimum numbers
A minimum of four participants is needed to run the course. If there is insufficient demand we will inform you two weeks before the start of the course.
Tel: 0845 371 9314
Email: derwentwater@yha.org.uk
White Peak Walker 16+
A relaxed introduction to walking in the limestone Dales of the Peak District National Park. You’ll complete two walks that typify the walking in the area. Each route less than 10 miles long and with little significant height gain, but occasionally difficult conditions underfoot. (Course is run from YHA Hathersage).
2nts: 08.05.09, 17.01.09
£100
Tel: 0845 371 9514
Email: edale@yha.org.uk
Dark Peak Walker 16+
Challenging walking in exposed and difficult terrain of heather, bog etc over the high moorland of the Peak District. Qualified, experienced instructors will navigate and inform about the environment and safety considerations.
2nts: 15.05.09 and 02.10.09
£100
Tel: 0845 371 9514
Email: edale@yha.org.uk
Edale Skyline 16+
Hills, ridges and plateau’s surrounding YHA Edale make a natural challenge and great introduction to this popular area. Long days, ascents and exposure to the elements make this course suitable for those with some experience.
2nts: 29.05.09 and 09.10.09
£100
Tel: 0845 371 9514
Email: edale@yha.org.uk
Walk The Peak 16+
A longer opportunity to more thoroughly explore the varied terrain of Britain’s first National Park. From crag to dale, moorland to meadow, your leader will provide four days of informative and accessible walking through some of the most striking scenery the area has to offer.
5nts: 24.05.09 and 06.09.09
£206
Tel: 0845 371 9514
Email: edale@yha.org.uk
Wilderness First Aid 18+
No previous knowledge needed. Two days of intensive training and assessment dealing with incidents where there is no immediate help.
2nts: 13.02.09, 04.12.09
Price: £158
Tel: 0845 371 9514
Email: edale@yha.org.uk
