Difficulty
Endurance
Equipment list:
Upon registration we will send you a complete equipment list.
Boots: You will need your own mountaineering boots that can take crampons. If in doubt send us a picture of your boots so we can give the thumbs up. Boots_summer
In the rucksack: As a general guide the following is recommended In the rucksack
Mountaineering equipment (All this can be borrowed from us): Equipment to courses
Accommodation
The Mountain Cottage is include in the price.
Flights, train and getting there
From the Oslo Gardermoen Airport, you can take the “flytoget” which is an express train to Oslo central station. From there it is a short walk to the bus station. You can take the Valdres Express bus or VY-Buss From Oslo central to Fagernes Skysstasjon which is about 20min from my house. The bus is comfortable, has free wifi and takes about 3 hours. I like taking the bus to Oslo as I can look out the window and see all the waterfalls and dream about ice climbing 🙂
Nearly all participants on previous courses have travelled by the above method, and they have described it as straightforward and easy.
Equipment hire
If you need to rent equipment, that is no problem, just let us known in advance. You will receive a list of required items upon booking.
A typical Foundation week
Winter courses are particularly flexible. Snow, weather and avalanche conditions determine where we go and what we do, so the exact order will change from week to week.
Day 1 — Winter travel & looking after yourself
We start by getting to know each other and looking at the fundamentals of travelling comfortably and safely in winter.
We’ll explore clothing and equipment, staying warm, food and drink, using skis or snowshoes and how the winter environment affects the way we move and plan our day.
We’ll also begin looking at the snow beneath our feet and what it can tell us.
Day 2 — Snow, avalanches & decision-making
A day focused on understanding snow and avalanche terrain.
We’ll look at the avalanche forecast, weather, terrain and the human factors that influence our decisions. Out in the mountains we’ll practise recognising avalanche terrain and choosing appropriate routes.
We’ll also work with avalanche transceivers, probes and shovels and practise companion rescue.
Day 3 — Winter mountain journey
Time to start putting the skills together.
We’ll plan and undertake a suitable winter mountain journey, using the day’s weather, snow and avalanche conditions to decide where we go.
Along the way we’ll work on navigation, route choice, movement, decision-making and looking after ourselves throughout a longer winter day.
Day 4 — Crampons, ice axe & winter climbing
We’ll move into steeper terrain and introduce the technical skills used in winter mountaineering.
We’ll look at using crampons and an ice axe efficiently, moving on snow and ice, basic winter climbing and using the rope to safeguard steeper or more exposed sections.
The emphasis is on understanding not only how the techniques work, but when and why we might use them.
Day 5 — Putting it together
Our final day gives us an opportunity to consolidate the week’s skills.
Depending on conditions and the needs of the group, we might undertake another mountain journey, spend more time climbing, practise rescue techniques or look at emergency snow shelters and winter problem-solving.
Where possible, you’ll take a greater part in planning the day and making the decisions.
Winter mountains don’t follow a syllabus
The itinerary above is an example, not a fixed timetable.
Snow, weather and avalanche conditions can change rapidly. We may swap days around, spend longer developing a particular skill or take advantage of good conditions for a mountain objective.
Learning to recognise those changes and adapt our plans is itself one of the most important skills in winter mountaineering.
