Fantastic Winter Skills Refresher I was fortunate enough to get out for a winter trip with Dave just before the last lockdown set (unfortunately my only real outing of the winter season thanks to C-19).
I had asked for a winter skills refresher and a steady grade-1 route to get back into the swing of winter having just returned to Scotland and Dave did not disappoint!
Our trip took us from the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre... read moreI was fortunate enough to get out for a winter trip with Dave just before the last lockdown set (unfortunately my only real outing of the winter season thanks to C-19).
I had asked for a winter skills refresher and a steady grade-1 route to get back into the swing of winter having just returned to Scotland and Dave did not disappoint!
Our trip took us from the Cairngorm Mountain Ski Centre up to the northern corries and Dave’s knowledge, professionalism, and experience was apparent from the get-go. The day delivered exactly what I was hoping for.
A great day, led by a great guide, ran by a great company. read less

Skye Munros 4-7 May 2021 Booked 4 day trip to do the Cuillins to get out after Covid and to be early enough to miss the midges! It was more like winter than May with challenging conditions but absolutely brilliant. We were a group of 6 with 3 WCMGuides, Josh, Caspar and Tom who were all great. They looked after us excellently and ensured our safety in the hail and snowy conditions. 7 of the... read moreBooked 4 day trip to do the Cuillins to get out after Covid and to be early enough to miss the midges! It was more like winter than May with challenging conditions but absolutely brilliant. We were a group of 6 with 3 WCMGuides, Josh, Caspar and Tom who were all great. They looked after us excellently and ensured our safety in the hail and snowy conditions. 7 of the 11 Munros were done which was a very good effort, it was simply too dangerous to do the others. These guys keep moving so don't take huge meals but plenty of energy snacks and one water bottle (refillable on the mountains) and walking poles to help on the scree. Many thanks to Josh for getting me up the SW ridge of Sgurr Alasdair, Caspar (& crampons) for Am Basteir and Tom for the last 2 days including Sgurr Mhic Choinnich. I would definitely use WCMG again. read less

excellent experience winter climbing A lovely one to one weekend of mixed and winter climbing with an instructor called Mark on the gullies in Ben Nevis. The team was quick with correspondence about the course and what I wanted to do. Mark was an ace guide who encourgaed me and made me feel comfortable when i was clueless and had to ask questions.

Two cracking days in the hills – totally recommend! Totally recommend West Coast Mountain Guides for a cracking day out in the hills! Have used them a few times in last few years – they’re always super friendly, happy to tailor the day and suggest options to find the right mix of challenge, variety and fun. They have the options you see on their website and more up their sleeves too.
Had the chance to pop out with Dave in... read moreTotally recommend West Coast Mountain Guides for a cracking day out in the hills! Have used them a few times in last few years – they’re always super friendly, happy to tailor the day and suggest options to find the right mix of challenge, variety and fun. They have the options you see on their website and more up their sleeves too.
Had the chance to pop out with Dave in April. We were lucky enough to have a summer day doing North Butress on Buachaille Etive Mor, a fabulous scramble and winter day out doing No. 2 gully on Ben Nevis – both incredible days, so much fun, felt challenged in a good way with guidance. Will definitely use these guys again – to keep learning and for more challenging fun days in stunning surroundings with great company. read less

Out again with WCMG! After an amazing few days doing winter mountaineering with Ken back in January, we booked again for some summer days. Ken was happy to adapt to Will and my climbing abilities, did some classic rock routes which was great! Learned lots, had a great time out. Cannot recommend Ken & West Coast Mountain Guides enough, there's really no better day out in Lochaber.

Great days, great ridges, great fun After a great experience with WCMG in January winter mountaineering we can back to do some classic rock routes. The weather lined up perfectly and we tackled some fairly sizable ridges that required the conditions. Ken was great as always, helping us move quickly and providing helpful advice along the way that we can take to our next experiences.

5 great days winter mountaineering Me and my partner booked 5 days private mountaineering with West Coast Mountain Guides in January. We were very worried as the week before as there had been no snow, however we were very fortunate and there was a huge dump the night we arrived in Fort William. We went out with Peter Stollery who was fabulous. The 5 days were really varied and we has a great time, learning... read moreMe and my partner booked 5 days private mountaineering with West Coast Mountain Guides in January. We were very worried as the week before as there had been no snow, however we were very fortunate and there was a huge dump the night we arrived in Fort William. We went out with Peter Stollery who was fabulous. The 5 days were really varied and we has a great time, learning winter snow skills, weather interpretation, avalanche awareness, as well as getting a few climbs in some very wintery weather. Peter is incredibly knowledgable and is always eager to share his experience, we had a really great time. We would certainly recommend West Coast Mountain Guides and Peter. read less

CIC hut (mid March 2020) Had an amazing week of winter climbing, which was professionally guided by Ken Applegate and Mark Scales. All the clients on this particular course were experienced winter climbers and we were well matched, allowing us to make the most of the excellent conditions and cram in so many classic grade IV/V routes over the week including: Minus Three Gully, Gutless, Minus Two Gully continuing up North East Buttress, Right Hand... read moreHad an amazing week of winter climbing, which was professionally guided by Ken Applegate and Mark Scales. All the clients on this particular course were experienced winter climbers and we were well matched, allowing us to make the most of the excellent conditions and cram in so many classic grade IV/V routes over the week including: Minus Three Gully, Gutless, Minus Two Gully continuing up North East Buttress, Right Hand Wall Route, Vanishing Gully continuing up Tower Ridge, Hadrian's Wall Direct and finishing the trip with the incredible Orion Face Direct. read less

CIC HUT WEEK WINTER CLIMBING COURSE A truly fantastic week with Ken and Mark. I can't believe how much we got done and how kind the conditions were to us. The guides knowledge of the mountain and routes was outstanding, which allowed us to make the most of everyday. I always felt safe and found the climbing, conditions, views and exposure amazing.
Definitely up there as one of my best climbing trips!
I have previously... read moreA truly fantastic week with Ken and Mark. I can't believe how much we got done and how kind the conditions were to us. The guides knowledge of the mountain and routes was outstanding, which allowed us to make the most of everyday. I always felt safe and found the climbing, conditions, views and exposure amazing.
Definitely up there as one of my best climbing trips!
I have previously been on three other trips around Glencoe, The Ben and in the Cairngorms, winter climbing with larger organisations. My experience with" West Coast Mountain Guides" stands out and exceeded my expectations. Ken and Mark love climbing and just wanted to get out there with us and get as much done as possible! read less

Private Guiding with Ian Fowler Top notch service. Excellent and tailor made winter guiding with tough routes and summiting Ben Nevis and Cairgoms. Highly recommend!

Quality Mountain Day with a Quality Company An outstanding quality mountain day (QMD) on 16 March PLD (pre-lockdown) with Dave and Ian from West Coast Mountain Guides. Ken runs a great company and is efficient, organised and responsive. First rate administration. Dave and Ian, our guides for the day, were both brilliant; knowledgable and highly professional, and also great company. And we would not have been able to do what we did (Schoolhouse Ridge, Ballachulish) without them,... read moreAn outstanding quality mountain day (QMD) on 16 March PLD (pre-lockdown) with Dave and Ian from West Coast Mountain Guides. Ken runs a great company and is efficient, organised and responsive. First rate administration. Dave and Ian, our guides for the day, were both brilliant; knowledgable and highly professional, and also great company. And we would not have been able to do what we did (Schoolhouse Ridge, Ballachulish) without them, not least given the ‘proper‘ Scottish winter conditions encountered.
Definitely highly recommended. I doubt there is a better guiding company in Scotland. read less

Great Guide. Great Communication before and during the course. Great Course. Booked a private, 2 day, winter mountaineering skills course with these guys.
Our team of 2 really liked Dave Barker’s approach. He gave good advice, showed very good judgement and was a safe pair of hands in somewhat challenging conditions.
He was clearly very experienced and his depth of knowledge, from research and experience was evident.
Our team had very different levels of experience and Dave was great with both... read moreBooked a private, 2 day, winter mountaineering skills course with these guys.
Our team of 2 really liked Dave Barker’s approach. He gave good advice, showed very good judgement and was a safe pair of hands in somewhat challenging conditions.
He was clearly very experienced and his depth of knowledge, from research and experience was evident.
Our team had very different levels of experience and Dave was great with both of them.
Dave's explanations were clear and he explained why he did things in a certain way, but gave alternatives if the boys wanted them.
His precise approach appealed to our group - one an engineer, one a scientist. They made a good team.
Both learned a lot and would willingly do a course with Dave again.
Both liked his personality too and enjoyed the time spent in his company. Dave had a great sense of humour which was essential in the weather conditions. Great that the wet weather gear performed well.
Book self catering accommodation as you may get an early start each day. The hotels don’t offer breakfast early enough!
Dave met our team at 7.30am at our accommodation each day, then took them to Glencoe from Fort William as local avalanche risks were high. The guide chooses the best location each day depending on conditions out there. They really know these hills.
There is a great kit list on their website.
They answered our emails promptly.
Would definitely book with these guys again! read less