5-Day CIC Hut Winter Climbing Course

Spend 5 days Winter Climbing Based at Britain’s Highest Mountain Hut

Experience climbs on & around Ben Nevis
Instruction on climbing routes graded up to Grade 5
Experience staying at 680m above sea level
Maximum 1:2 instructor to climber ratio
Only £1195 including hut fees

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CIC Hut Week Winter Climbing Course

Five nights based at the highest mountain hut in the British Isles, 680m above sea level, at the foot of the North Face of Ben Nevis, giving the chance to climb some of the UK’s most revered and cherished winter lines, all from one walk in.

CIC Hut Week Course Outline

Our CIC Hut Week Winter Climbing Course is based at the highest mountain hut in the British Isles, 680m above sea level, at the foot of the most extensive and challenging winter climbing cliffs anywhere in the country. They are held in March to make the most of snow and ice conditions, which have usually consolidated well by that time. This course is ideal for winter climbers with previous experience as we will mainly be operating at grades III-V. The CIC hut is the UK’s only true self-catering ‘alpine’ hut, with full drying and cooking facilities. It is well heated by gas fires, so is a cosy place in the evenings. It also has two composting toilets.

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Orion Direct on our CIC Hut Week Winter Climbing Course

Customer Reviews

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Full Description

Course Outline:

Our CIC Hut Week Winter Climbing Course is based at the highest mountain hut in the British Isles, 680m above sea level, at the foot of the most extensive and challenging winter climbing cliffs anywhere in the country. They are held in late winter to make the most of snow and ice conditions, which have usually consolidated well by that time. This course is ideal for intermediate or advanced levels of participant from grade III to V. People booking should indicate their upper level of aspiration and instructional or guiding requirements.

The course meets on Sunday late morning and is spent checking kit, shopping and walking up to the hut from the north face car park at Torlundy (approx. 2 hours). Climbing instruction/guiding takes place on five days (Mon to Fri). It is possible to shop for food in Fort William on the Sunday if necessary (food should be provided by those attending the course). Dinners are cooked communally by the participants and instructors/guides on these courses. The odd bottle of wine or whisky has been known to make an appearance! All cooking utensils are available at the hut, and the kitchen area was upgraded during the summer of 2018.

It is a cosy and comfortable place to spend some time and share stories with others. There is a fireplace, drying room, kitchen and dining area and dormitory, which can accommodate up to twenty-four people. It is served by bottled gas and wind power for lighting, heating and cooking. A sleeping bag should be brought for use in the hut. Mattresses are on the beds and it is now very similar to an Alpine Hut, except for the guardian service. Freshwater is available via a pipe outside which is fed by a spring high up the mountain. Small electrical items (phones/cameras) can be charged, but as the electricity is generated by a wind turbine, during very settled periods, this shouldn’t be relied upon.

You can read about our previous CIC Hut Weeks on our blog:
Great Week at The CIC Hut, Ben Nevis
Another Great Week at the CIC Hut, Ben Nevis
Brilliant week at the CIC Hut, Ben Nevis

Experience Needed:

Previous climbing experience and the desire to climb some great routes. The course aims to operate at III to V for the duration. Pairs are welcome and can be more specific in their wishes, including focusing on climbing introductory climbs at grade I-II.

Ratio: 1:2

Costs and Equipment:

The price of £1195 includes all guiding and instruction, as well as hut fees. You will also need to consider accommodation (before and after the course), food, personal equipment (including hiring crampons, ice axes and boots), and insurance costs.

Dates & Prices

Kit Requirements

Hut specific kit

Sleeping bag and liner –The hut is generally quite warm, even in the depths of winter, so a 2 or 3 season sleeping bag is fine.

Pillow –If you have space, then a packable pillow will be useful.

Casual clothes –You may wish to change out of your climbing clothing in the evenings. Don’t bring too much though.

Spare baselayers, underwear and socks –Again, enough but not too much. Wet or damp clothes will dry quickly in the drying room.

Comfortable shoes for in and around the hut

Washkit –Don’t go OTT with a wash kit, the only really option for a proper wash is outside. Wet wipes and antibacterial gel can help.

Earplugs

Books/cards

Toilet Roll

Small and big pack –You will probably walk-in with the small pack on your front, and a larger one on your back. You will also need to carry group climbing equipment such as ropes.

Regular Climbing Kit

Socks –Go for a medium to thick pair of synthetic or wool/synthetic blend socks. You may like to wear a thin liner pair underneath the thicker pair.

Thermal/Base Layers –A couple of thermal layers are useful, along with thermal leggings. Powerstretch works well.

Fleeces –At least one fleece layer for your upper body. If you get cold easily perhaps add a fleece gilet/vest to your layering. Having an extra fleece top or synthetic layer in a waterproof liner at the bottom of your rucksack is essential.

Synthetic Belay Jacket –Whilst not essential, will be a good booster layer.

Walking trousers –Polycotton, polyester or softshell is ideal.

Warm Hat & Waterproof Gloves –It is very important to look after your hands in winter. A thin pair, a thick warm waterproof pair and a pair of thick mittens will often all be used in one day on the Scottish Hills. If it’s particularly wet, then carry a couple of spare pairs.

Waterproof jacket and over trousers ( Outer shell clothing) –The trousers should have at least a knee length zip enabling them to be fitted over boots/crampons. This is an essential point to remember as winter boots are bulkier than summer ones. Lightweight waterproofs are often inadequate under severe winter conditions. A large hood to fit over a helmet and your face with wired visor is essential for the jacket in winter.

Rucsac –A medium volume sac (35-50 litres) is best for winter climbing, with ice axe carrying loops. Use a strong plastic rucsac liner to keep the contents dry. External Rucsack covers have a habit of blowing away and don’t work as well as an internal liner. Everything needs to fit inside your sac.

Bivvy Bag –A large person sized poly or foil survival bag is the minimum requirement, essential.

Gaiters or Stop-tous –Essential for all courses.

Head Torch –Essential for all courses, plus spare batteries.

First Aid kit –A small personal pack including medication for blisters. Suncream and sunglasses if good forecast.

Compass/Map –(OS sheet 41 & 34- 1:50 000 or BMC/Harveys Ben Nevis & Glencoe 1:40 000)
The map should be weather-proofed in a clear plastic map case or covered with clear sticky back plastic.

Whistle/Watch

Flask –0.5-1 litre for hot drinks on the hill. If you take a flask, a waterbottle is optional. Don’t carry too much liquid in winter!

Lunch & Spare Food

Ski Goggles

Trekking Poles -These are optional, but useful particularly in descent. Ideally they will collapse to fit inside your pack when not in use.

Boots –For climbing courses, stiff, crampon compatible boots are required. They should have a stiffness rating of B2 minimum and ideally B3.

Crampons –Should have 12 or 14 points and be compatible with your boots. Clip-on heel crampons and front straps are very easy to fit on most modern B2 and B3 boots, whilst older traditional strap-on crampons are okay, but less easy to fit in cold windy conditions. We recommend anti-balling plates and cutting your straps to a suitable length (Not too short!). Ask for advice if you are unsure.

Ice Axe –For winter climbing, two technical climbing axes (40-50cm) are required. Most folk these days use ‘leashless’ tools, which means not having traditional wrist loops, but will be attached to their tools via a lanyard or spring-leash. Ask if unsure.

Helmet –Please bring one along if you can. We have DMM helmets available.

Harness –Please make sure the harness fits over thick clothing and can be put on over boots and crampons. Adjustable leg-loops are preferable for ease of fitting. The DMM Super Couloir or Black Diamond Bod harness is very good in this respect and is a good one harness suits all type.

Belay device, two HMS Carabiners and one 120cm sling –We can provide you with these if you don’t have your own.

Programme Outline

Example Routes

Orion Face Direct, Ben Nevis

Orion Face Direct on Ben Nevis is one of the longest ice climbs in the UK, and is truly alpine in scale. It’s 420m in length, and often climbed in 9 pitches.

Here, former owner and founder of West Coast Mountain Guides, Alan Kimber climbs this classic ice climb whilst describing the route along the way.

Booking Enquiry Form

Please fill out the form below if you would like to book or have any enquiries. Most common enquiries are dealt with in our FAQs – try there first.

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Private Guiding

If the dates or contents of a course are not exactly what you are after, we also offer private guiding, which makes up a large part of our working year. Private guiding can be arranged on dates to suit you, and we can tailor the course or guiding to match you needs and aspirations. There are no limits for the number of participants on privately guided day, so whether you are an individual after 1:1 guiding or tuition, or a group or club looking to develop their collective skills or reach a particular summit, please get in touch.

Find out more about Private Guiding