So the first day of winter skills training today and we went and trained on ice axe arrests and the use of crampons. The technique for ice axe arrests is tough and I’m hoping I won’t need to do it in real life when falling off the side of a mountain! It was my first attempt at using crampons and the difference was incredible. It was a short day today with more time spent on learning the theory at and reading about weather and avalanche threats.

Today was a bit more dramatic. In the morning we dug ice holes, this is a key skill you need in the event that you are ever caught out in bad snow you could build somewhere to shelter until rescued. It was hard work but the difference once we sat in it and were sheltered from the wind was really noticeable. In the afternoon we walked to a peak in Scotland, and we got the opportunity to test out our crampons at the top. We had to walk over massive boulders, at one point I slipped and smashed my knee which was less than ideal. The wind recorded on the peak that day was 150km per hour! It was great to learn how to walk in those kinds of conditions and to be able to test clothing and equipment in those kinds of extremities. Bizarrely, I enjoyed it and it made me value the importance of having the right clothing as it can help you get through anything.

Last day of the winter skills and for the final day we got to walk up a peak.  The weather was bad with snow and wind, but again it was a great test. Putting the crampons on in terrible weather halfway up was a good experience. We got to the top and had lunch over some incredible views. The walk down was great, and I got to lead that which was fun as we upped the pace a little! Incredible view when coming down of a really big hare in the snow. Driving back to Aberdeen airport in a hire car in the snow actually felt the hardest part! People often ask me if I’m I scared of dying attempting these peaks, I always say I feel more scared in a car and this was living proof!