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Winter Mountain Skills Days for Runners

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Saturday 12th February 2022

Bookings Open
Thursday 13th January 2022
Bookings Close
Friday 11th February 2022 at 17:00
Booking Fees
Booking Fee   £80.00   
Contact
Course Organiser - Charles Sproson

Winter Mountain Skills Days for Runners - Helvellyn Massif 

February 12 & 21 and March 4, 2022


A one-day, immersive course covering winter navigation, kit choices, ice axes, crampons and more, giving you the skills and confidence to enjoy the best winter mountain running of your life.

Running in the mountains in winter can be a special and magical experience – but it can also be fraught with danger.

This intensive one-day introductory course is designed to give you a thorough grounding in the key skills and competencies you’ll need to enjoy the best winter mountain days of your life this year, in safety and with confidence.

What to expect

A professionally delivered Winter Skills course based in the easterly bowls of the Helvellyn Massif.

We can't guarantee either great snow cover or great weather, but we can guarantee that you will learn all the necessary skills to keep you safe during the winter months in the fells of the Lakes or further afield.

Who is it for?

Winter Skills for Runners is a one-day course, ideal for anyone who wants to stay active in the hills this winter. Covering the basics of winter navigation; understanding snow conditions and use of winter kit, it will equip you with the essential skills you need to enjoy the mountains all year round, responsibly and safely.

Need to know more? For more details please contact enquiries@mountainrun.co.uk.

What's included?

A practical day of winter mountain skills theory and practice, running with our expert coaches in and around the Helvellyn Massif.

We will cover:

  • Quick re-cap of mountain navigation and some practice on the move
  • What equipment to take & how to use it
  • How to self arrest with an ice axe
  • How to run in different types of running crampons
  • Different techniques for ascending and descending snow slopes
  • The basics of understanding of snow pack and conditions
  • General safety in the mountains during winter.

Focusing on practical tactics and techniques, this course is based in the mountains around Glenridding where we benefit from the most reliable winter conditions in the Lake District.

Course programme

08:30: Meet at Mountain Run HQ in the Ullswater Information Centre

  • Discuss conditions, equipment and skills
  • Head out onto the hills to practice (exact training location will vary according to conditions on the day)
  • Develop skills and run in the snow

16:30/17:00: Return to HQ. Course closes.

What to bring

  • Clothing to run in during the day (Tights, Base Layer, Mid Layer, Neck Gaiter, Hat, Gloves, Buff)
  • Old Waterproof Jacket and Trousers (older the better as you will be sliding down snow in them, so don't wear your best lightest race jacket)
  • Good Waterproof Jacket and Trousers - These must have taped seems (Race versions acceptable)
  • Primaloft Jacket and Trousers - We will be spending time standing around, sliding on snow and more. You will need extra clothing to stay warm.
  • Extra hat and gloves or mitts
  • Balaclava
  • Goggles
  • Light weight mountaineering axe*
  • MicroSpikes and or Flexible Running Crampons*
  • Light weight helmet*
  • Good quality head torch with 350 lumens light output minimum.

* If you don't own these items, then please let us know. We have a pool of Kahtoola micro-spikes (and KTS), axes and helmets available to hire at an additional cost of £5 per item.

Please be aware we might be moving at slow speeds at some points during the day: please account for this in your clothing selection. Check the weather forecast in advance of the day and come prepared.

View the Course Disclaimer / Terms and Conditions.

This event offers the option to purchase XCover, so that participants may be able to get a refund if they are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.


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