OM Winter skills meet 2010

Hi folks.

Well here's a start. I propose the above weekend next february for what has become an annual winter event for Outdoors Magic. As its five months away, it gives those interested plenty of time to get organised.

All of the previous courses have been residential and have been run from places as diverse as the lodges at Badaguish Outdoor Centre to Rothiemurchus Lodge as in last year, on a self catering basis.

Now, I know that those who came on the last wsc were happy with Rothiemurchus Lodge which is basically a forces recreational facility where people were accomodated in 4 berth bunk rooms sharing washroom, cooking and drying facilities with everyone else staying in the accomodation wing. There were to my mind a number of issues that I was not happy with and whilst it was only £12 per head per night, I think we ought to seek something better.

Badaguish is much better but somewhat inflexible as you are expected to book a whole lodge (sleeps between 12 comfortably and 17 if you pack em in) We would have excusivity on the use of a lodge but the cost will probably be in the region of £60 per head based on 3 nights (Fri - Sun).

In terms of the focus of the weekend - two days of Winter Skills, the cost per head for 2 days will be £85 per person and will include the provision of technical equipment such as ropes, ice screws, deadmen, slings & karabiners. Helmets & harnesses can be hired at £5 for the weekend per person. You will need to bring your own axes, crampons and winter boots as well as your own outdoor clothing, rucksacs et cetera. Somewhere on the OM site there is a suggested kit list and itinerary from past courses and once I find their location, I'll let you know.

In three days time I leave for Nepal and wont be back until November 13th - if in the meantime those of you interested can start talking on this thread, when I get back I'll have a better idea of numbers and what you want budget-wise in terms of accomodation and can start to work on this. Finally, please be aware we need people in groups of six of you per instructor. I think we near enough have one group already!

All the best

Iain Gallagher

Also, some of you have expressed an interest in more winter climbing days and also the option of winter mountain navigation days including an overnight in a snowhole.

These options will be run separately to OMWS 2010 either before or after the winter skills weekend. Costs will be £75 per head for the mountain nav/snowhole course based over two days. Minimum group size - 4, maximum group size 6 per instructor.

Winter climbing days will be £90 per head per day min/max 2 people per instructor, all technical kit apart from axes & crampons will be provided on these days.

All courses will be taking place in the Cairngorm Northern corries and on the Cairngorm Plateau.

Accommodation can be organised at a separate price.

All the best

Iain Gallagher

Sounds good to me that weekend. Whatever is chosen for accomodation is fine by me. Whilst I would love to do the winter navigation, I don't think work will allow more than the long weekend off.

New kit to buy

Iain Gallagher wrote (see)

As its five months away, it gives those interested plenty of time to get fit.

Iain Gallagher wrote (see)

Winter climbing days will be £90 per head per day min/max 2 people per instructor, all technical kit apart from axes & crampons will be provided on these days.

Definately interested in the winter skills weekend, please add me to the list as a possible.

Cheers

 Russ

Hi Russ,

When I return from Nepal I'll be picking up where I left off on this thread in fact my partner will be online checking messages and dealing with enquiries on my behalf.

On my return from Nepal, I will be looking for deposits to be paid for places on OMWS2010 - if you pay a deposit you'll get a place and it is on that that the list of people will be based. So on that note, don't make yourself a possible - make yourself a definite by paying a deposit

I'll announce the amount I'll be looking for on my return from Nepal and this will be done on the back of a number of accommodation budgets for which the entire meet will need to agree on one of the options.

All the best

Iain

I'm sure I will (I think) never been before! BIG mountains - its gonna be great  

See you on winter skills

All the best

Iain

HeY Jamie   just enjoyed looking at your blog - man! you've got some great shots from last weekend.

I had absolutely NO idea that Jimmy Saville is Elaina's Dad but by god - you can see the resemblance

Iain Gallagher wrote (see)

I had absolutely NO idea that Jimmy Saville is Elaina's Dad but by god - you can see the resemblance

Hi Iain,

I hope your trip to Nepal went well and that you had a great time. Im just wondering if there is any more info on this winter skills weekend. Myself and a couple of friends are intrested in attending

Yeh - did you top out on Mera Peak mate??? Must have been an amazing six weeks chap.

Iain,

 You may r may not know that Sean and I are splitting up. 

I am definately interested in staying out overnight in the snow hole, had so much fun last year on the winter skills it was great.  I dont know what Sean is going to do, but please can you add me to the list of peope who defo want to do the overnight winter snow hole camp and I would also like to do the winter climbing.  Can you please email me direct at norrisduffy@hotmail.com? And can you use my deposit from our failed atempt at Ben Nevis and tell me what else i need to pay and i will send you a cheque?

If there's aproblem with any of this please let me know...

 Thanks

 Maria 

Hi Ian,

I would be up for the mountain nav\snow hole outing and possibly another days tuition or two.

Cheers,

Stephen