Skills and Technique
In this section you will find a library of illustrated tips covering many of the skills needed in the mountains.
Avalanche Safety, Selecting and using kit
Choosing and using Avalanche Safety Equipment
Acclimatisation
How the body adjusts to increases in altitude is not a precise science as everybody responds differently. The effects can be felt at different altitudes and are irrespective of fitness, age or sex.
To help understand why it is important to take acclimatisation seriously on any climb here are a few of the common questions that you may ask.
Choosing ski mountaineering / touring kit
Choosing the right kit for ski mountaineering / touring is a bit of a minefield. There are so many products on the market. We will try and guide you through choosing the right skis, bindings, boots, poles, skins and harcheisen.
Abseil Safely
Protecting yourself while abseiling.
When Abseiling to descend a route or retreat in bad conditions it is important to be able to protect your descent. The dangers when making a number of abseils on steep terrain are that you may loose control of your rate of descent. This may because you have been hit in the head by a falling rock or lump of ice; you may be hit by a large spindrift avalanche or slip while untangling the rope.
Crevasse Rescue
In an ideal world this article would be entitled 'crevasse avoidance' but the reality of mountaineering in glaciated areas is that at some point you are bound to fall into a crevasse. The degree to which you fall in can vary greatly from putting one leg in while roped up to a full-on fall when travelling un-roped.
Ski Touring and Ski Mountaineering Tips
The techniques required for ski mountaineering and ski touring are varied and draw on techniques from all aspects of skiing and mountaineering. Before venturing into the world beyond the piste you will need to be a strong off piste skier able to cope with most types of snow while skiing with a rucksack. When going downhill the following techniques will greatly assist your ability to move round the mountain.