Top Tips For Successful Snow-Holing

Top Tips For Successful Snow-Holing

“Any fool can be uncomfortable.” This is undoubtedly true in a snow-hole. Winter in the Cairngorms can see temperatures of around -10ºC at 1100m, but in reality winter temperatures at this height are more like -5ºC and above. That’s still pretty chilly, but snow is a great insulator. It is so easy to have an uncomfortable damp night, but with a bit of organisation and care you can be safe and snug and really enjoy the adventure. Here are my top tips for successful snow-holing.

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Who Needs A Mountain Guide? #1 Wendy Dodds, Athlete and Mountaineer

Who Needs A Mountain Guide? #1 Wendy Dodds, Athlete and Mountaineer

This is the first in a new series, where we'll be giving you an insight into the reasons behind the decision to hire a Mountain Guide. Wendy Dodds is a fell running legend. Now in her 60s, she is still competing at the highest standard. As a sports medicine specialist, she also travelled with several British Olympic and World Championships athletics squads.

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Top Tips For A Safe Fun Winter Season

Top Tips For A Safe Fun Winter Season

In a previous blog post we shared some tips on how to get more out of your time in the mountains. Here we’re giving you tips specific to winter walking and climbing. It comes down to three things: people, equipment, and environment. You can control the first two, but not the third, but with good planning you can make sure you stay safe and have fun.

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Crampon Review & Comparison: Petzl Vasak Lever Lock, old vs new

Crampon Review & Comparison: Petzl Vasak Lever Lock, old vs new

As winter draws nearer, it's time to give your winter gear a check, and maybe invest in some new kit. In December 2014 I did a review and comparison of three general mountaineering crampons: Black Diamond Serac Clip, Petzl Vasak Lever Lock, and Grivel G12 New Matic. At the time of writing, my favourite of the three was the Petzl Vasak Lever Lock. Since then, Petzl have released a new model, so what are the changes, and are they for the better?

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