2009
Spring
MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION WEEKEND [late
availability]
3rd Apr - 5th Apr
HIGHLAND EASTER [late
availability]
9th Apr - 14th Apr
MOUNTAIN SKILLS & NAVIGATION
18th Apr - 24th Apr
LAIRIG GHRU CHALLENGE WEEKEND
24th Apr - 26th Apr
CAIRNGORMS 4000ERS
1st May - 5th May
WILD KNOYDART
9th May - 16th May
SPRING MUNROS
17th May - 23rd May
HIGHLAND EXTRAVAGANZA
23rd May - 29th May
MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION WEEKEND
29th May - 31st May
CLASSIC KINTAIL RIDGEWALKING
6th Jun - 13th Jun
MIDSUMMER BOTHY SOLITUDE EXPEDITION
20th Jun - 25th Jun
Summer
MOUNTAIN FLORA WEEKEND
3rd Jul - 5th Jul
CLASSIC TORRIDON
12th Jul - 18th Jul
HIGH CAIRNGORM BACKPACKING
24th Jul - 28th Jul
CAIRNGORM RIDGE WALKING
28th Jul - 2nd Aug
MOUNTAIN SKILLS & NAVIGATION
2nd Aug - 8th Aug
HIGHLAND MUNROS
9th Aug - 15th Aug
COMPLETE CAIRNGORMS
16th Aug - 22nd Aug
GLENS, FORESTS & LOCHS
23rd Aug - 29th Aug
We also offer the following holidays and courses
(dates TBC);
please enquire
for dates, prices and availability:
Spring courses
ADDICTIVE ARRAN
Summer courses
PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAGIC
FRUITS OF THE FOREST
BEN NEVIS CHALLENGE WEEKEND
Autumn courses
CLASSIC MOUNTAIN HORSESHOES
THE EMPTY QUARTER
NORTHERN HI-LIGHTS
AUTUMN MUNROS
BIG MOUNTAIN WEEKEND
MUNRO HIKE 'N' BIKE WEEKEND
Winter courses
HOGMANAY WINTER SKILLS
WINTER SKILLS WEEKEND
ADVANCED WINTER NAVIGATION
INTRODUCTION TO WINTER SKILLS
SNOWHOLE EXPEDITION
CLASSIC WINTER CAIRNGORMS
WINTER MOUNTAINEERING
WINTER MUNROS
Book a Holiday
Please use the form below to book one of our holidays/courses etc.
Spring 2009
MOUNTAIN NAVIGATION WEEKEND [late
availability]
3rd-5th Apr & 29th-31st May -
Grade 3, 2 days; £183
Of all the skills for the hills, navigation is the most important - no surprise when you consider that up to 80% of mountain rescue call-outs stem from navigational errors. This course provides a firm grounding in the essential skills as well as developing the right tactical approach to good mountain navigation. It's ideal for both those who are starting from scratch, as well as those who have some navigating experience but would like to become more proficient and increase their repertoire of skills. The variety of terrain found in the Cairngorm Mountains provides an ideal practice ground, from the low level feature packed moorland to the test piece high plateau. This fun course is delivered in a well-structured, progressive manner so you quickly gain in confidence and skill.
holiday details | check availability
HIGHLAND EASTER [late
availability]
9th-14th Apr-
Grade 2, 5 days; £454
Make the most of this year's Easter break and get your hill walking season off to an early start. This holiday sees us taking in peaks in very varied mountain-scapes.
holiday details | check availability
MOUNTAIN
SKILLS & NAVIGATION
18th-24th Apr & 2nd-8th Aug
- Grade 2, 6 days; £477
You plan to go out in the mountains today. What will the weather be
like? How long will the route take? What do I need to take? Learn
how to use a map and compass, know about timing and pacing, ...
holiday
details | check
availability
LAIRIG GHRU CHALLENGE WEEKEND
24th-26th Apr - Grade 2/3, 2 days
- Flight-linked; £243
Walk Britain's most spectacular mountain pass. The 18 mile route of
past drovers, thieves and soldiers cuts right through the heart of
high Cairngorm splendour. From the high point its sides rise sheer
for another 1500ft to 4 of the 5 highest peaks in Britain - awesome
scenery and a worthy challenge.
holiday details | check availability
CAIRNGORM 4000'ers
1st-5th May - Grade 4, 4 days;
£379
Five of our 6 highest peaks reside in the 'Gorms: Cairngorm, Ben Macdui, Carn Toul, Braeriach and Sgor an Lochain Uaine (Angels Peak). All over 4000ft, they form a magnificent massif giving you the best high "plateau" walking anywhere.
holiday details | check availability
WILD KNOYDART
9th-16th May - Grade 2/3, 7 days;
£732
The remote and rugged Knoydart peninsula is a very special place. For many, it epitomises west highland beauty; mountain after mountain plunging to deep dark serpentine lochs. Accessible only by boat (our mode) or long walk-ins, its one of the most isolated parts of mainland Britain. Its reputation is thoroughly deserved.
holiday details | check availability
SPRING MUNROS
17th-23rd May-
Grade 3/4, 6 days; £576
Long days, new life, warm sun - an opportune time for mountain walking. Stretch those legs, blow away the winter cobwebs and ascend through bonny mountain scenery to some of Scotland’s highest summits.
holiday details TBC | check availability
HIGHLAND EXTRAVAGANZA
23rd-29th May - Grade 2, 6 days;
£576
From Loch Ness in the north to Atholl in the south; the Cairngorms in the east to Lochaber in the west, this holiday samples Scotland's very varied mountain-scapes - an ideal introduction to the Highlands.
holiday details | check availability
CLASSIC KINTAIL RIDGEWALKING
6th-13th Jun-
Grade 3, 7 days; £739
No other area in Britain has so many big mountains so tightly packed together; divided by deep glens, range upon range stretch to distant horizons. This is classically rugged highland scenery of high peaks linked by narrow ridges – a ridge-walkers paradise. The superb walking combined with the fantastic accommodation at Sheil Lodge makes for a wonderful holiday.
holiday details TBC | check availability
MIDSUMMER
BOTHY SOLITUDE EXPEDITION
20th-25th Jun - Grade 2, 5 days;
£430
This is the ultimate in escapism: no phones; no faxes; no deadlines; no nothing; just a 4 hour walk to the nearest road! Our base is Scotland's newest and finest bothy - we're sworn to secrecy, but its loch shore setting is below one of Scotland's grandest and remotest north faces.
holiday details | check availability
Summer 2009
MOUNTAIN FLORA WEEKEND
3rd-5th Jul - 2 days; £TBC
A new, innovative trip, designed by our lead instructor. Further details to follow.
holiday details TBC | check availability
CLASSIC TORRIDON
12th-18th July - Grade 3, 6 days;
£576
Torridon's reputation is wholly justified. A landscape of towering buttresses and a primeval feel. For many this magnificent area provides the finest mountain days anywhere. I need say little more, other than this holiday requires a good head for heights.
holiday details | check availability
HIGH CAIRNGORM BACKPACKING
24th-28th Jul - Grade 3, 4 days;
£326
If you're looking to totally immerse yourself in the mountains, then there's no better way than backpacking. If you want the perfect place to do it, then look no further than the Cairngorms. We avoid the repeated long ups and downs of other ranges. Once the gently undulating 'plateau' edge is gained, we're left to relax and enjoy - an ideal introduction to backpacking.
holiday details | check availability
CAIRNGORM RIDGE WALKING
28th Jul-2nd Aug - Grade 3, 5 days; £469
We trace the natural lines of the Cairngorm Massif: high plateau edge, mountain ridge, skyline traverse. We follow them all, starting and finishing at different locations.
holiday details TBC | check availability
HIGHLAND MUNROS
9th-15th Aug - Grade 2/3, 6 days;
£578
This is a great introduction to the challenges of Scotland's high peaks. We head into the big mountain groups. Coires and ridges abound giving you unending interest amongst some of the finest mountain scenery.
holiday details | check availability
COMPLETE CAIRNGORMS
16th-22nd Aug - Grade 2, 6 days;
£542
Explore Britain's most natural landscape: the Great Forest of Caledon with its noble pines, the mighty Cairngorms with their tundra flora, the expansive heather moors. The habitats are rich - you experience the full variety of this unique mountain area.
holiday details | check availability
GLENS, FORESTS AND LOCHS
23rd-29th Aug - Grade 1, 6 days;
£542
Immerse yourself in some of the finest habitats and views. This is walking through wild lands where little appears to have changed since the forests chased back the glaciers.
holiday details | check availability
Other Holidays
We also run the following courses (dates TBC); please enquire for dates, prices and availability:
Spring Holidays
ADDICTIVE
ARRAN
Dates TBC - Grade 2/3, 5 days;
£TBC
This is mountain walking for the connoisseur. Arran may lack Munros
but its granite mountains are spectacular. Angular peaks and jagged
ridges dissected by deep valleys provide some of the most entertaining
walking on offer. This, all in an island setting with views stretching
to the distant mainland ranges - Scotland in miniature.
holiday
details | check
availability
Summer Holidays
PURPLE MOUNTAIN MAGIC
Dates TBC - Grade 2, 4 days; £TBC
The purple of the flowering heather is a perfect match for the deep green of the Scots Pines. Whole hillsides turn subtle heathery shades. With this combination you couldn't be anywhere other than Scotland. This is the time to see the Cairngorms in all their summer glory.
holiday
details | check
availability
FRUITS
OF THE FOREST WEEKEND
Dates TBC - Grade 1, 2 days - Flight-linked;
£TBC
How about walking in an area that has little changed since the forests
chased back the glaciers 10 000 year ago? How about the chance to
sample some of nature's gourmet delights - under expert guidance of
course! The ancient Caledonia pine forest of Abernethy set within
the Cairngorm National Park, is a superb example of what once was
- noble pines, juniper, edible fungi, views to the peaks beyond and
home to a quarter of the UK's endangered species.
holiday
details | check
availability
BEN
NEVIS CHALLENGE WEEKEND
Dates TBC - Grade 3, 2 days - Flight-linked;
£TBC
By anyone's standard 'The Ben' is a big day. There is no luxury of
a high car park or cable car to take you half way up. You begin the
climb virtually from sea level and ascend the full 4409 feet to the
roof of Britain. The views are stupendous; sun glinting Loch Linnhe
far below, the colossal cliffs of its north face, the Cuillin Ridge
on distant Skye. the list goes on and on.
holiday
details | check
availability
Autumn Holidays
CLASSIC
MOUNTAIN HORSESHOES
Dates TBC - Grade 4, 4 days; £TBC
This short break delivers some of the most challenging mountain walking
the Highland’s has to offer. We trace the edge of highly impressive
cliff and corrie scenery to gain some of Scotland’s most distinguished
peaks. All-in-all 10 Munros in 4 days.
holiday
details | check
availability
THE
EMPTY QUARTER
Dates TBC - Grade 2/3, 6 days;
£TBC
Empty of people, maybe, but not of hillwalking interest. This is the
very distinctive wilderness of Assynt and NW Sutherland, where the
superlatives really start to flow - 'island mountains' rising abruptly
from a vast loch pitted tableland. The sense of space is superb. We
could go on but to say these are the most eye-catching of mountains
with fantastic walking.
holiday
details | check
availability
NORTHERN
HI-LIGHTS WEEKEND
Dates TBC - Grade 2, 2 days - Flight-linked;
£TBC
Fantastic mountain walking, beautiful scenery, delicious food, a badger
watch supping mulled wine and the Aurora Borealis!! What more could
you want! Well, we may not be able to guarantee the latter item but
they're a lot more common than you might expect.
holiday
details | check
availability
AUTUMN
MUNROS
Dates TBC - Grade 3, 5 days; £TBC
The golden birch mixed with the deep green pines; rusty bracken and
rich brown moors; the array of colours amongst the flora of the high
tops, all combine to make this the most colourful time of year to
visit.
holiday
details | check
availability
BIG
MOUNTAIN WEEKEND
Dates TBC - Grade 3 +, 2 days -
Flight-linked; £TBC
Saturday is a challenging day tackling one of Britain's highest peaks
while on the Sunday it's an early start to do a shorter mountain route
before you head back home in good time.
holiday
details | check
availability
MUNRO
HIKE AND BIKE WEEKEND
Dates TBC - Grade 4, 2 days - Flight-linked;
£TBC
With this weekend we get into some really remote and wild mountain
scenery with the use of Mountain Bikes. All three of these mountains
have been chosen for the superb scenery and the access along good
tracks.
holiday
details | check
availability
Winter Holidays
HOGMANAY
WINTER SKILLS
Dates TBC - Grade 3, 6 days; £TBC
The unique challenges and unrivalled rewards of the winter mountains
cannot be beaten. This is to see them at their finest. Why not make
the most of the Christmas and New Year holiday by combining it with
a truly rewarding learning experience.
holiday
details | check
availability
WINTER
SKILLS WEEKEND
Dates TBC - Grade 3, 2 days; £TBC
This condensed course provides the skills for safe movement across
snow and ice covered mountain terrain. It covers: suitable equipment,
avalanche assessment, cramponing, self belay/arrest, etc. There is
also the opportunity to update your winter navigation skills.
holiday
details | check
availability
ADVANCED
WINTER NAVIGATION
Dates TBC - 2 days; £TBC
Should the winter mountains dish-up their worst, you will have the
skills and proficiency to deal them. This weekend is ideal for the
experienced summer navigator wanting to make the transition to winter
conditions
holiday
details | check
availability
INTRODUCTION
TO WINTER SKILLS
Dates TBC - Grade 3, 5 days; £TBC
You'll gain a clear understanding of the principles and quickly attain
the skills. You'll be able to choose the most appropriate technique
for the terrain and conditions. With adequate time given over to practise,
you'll finish the course proficient in both the technical winter skills
and those essential winter navigation techniques.
holiday
details | check
availability
SNOWHOLE
EXPEDITION *AS SEEN ON TV WITH GRIFF RHYS JONES*
Challenging! Rewarding! Memorable!
Dates TBC - Grade 3/4, 3 days;
£TBC
This will be one of the most remarkable experiences of your life.
Help construct a comfortable communal snowhole lit by the reflected
light of candles! Wake up to the absolute silence of a pristine winter
wonderland bathed in the soft light of a Cairngorm dawn.
This is the ultimate winter mountain experience of the high Cairngorms.
Once you've undergone a day of essential winter skills training we
embark on a two-day expedition to head deep into the snowy wilderness.
This is Britain's ultimate winter mountain experience
and one not to be missed.
holiday
details | check
availability
CLASSIC
WINTER CAIRNGORMS
Dates TBC - Grade 3/4, 5 days;
£TBC
Holiday in Britain's high arctic, home to our most permanent snow
beds. With so much ground above 3000ft, nowhere else are conditions
so consistent - a winter mountain wonderland.
holiday
details | check
availability
WINTER
MOUNTAINEERING
Dates TBC - Grade 3/4, 5 days;
£TBC
This course is ideally suited to the keen winter hillwalker who aspires
to incorporate a graded winter route into his/her mountain day.
holiday
details | check
availability
WINTER
MUNROS
Dates TBC - Grade 3, 5 days; £TBC
For the finest views of the year, go high and go in winter. With the
crisp clear air views often go on for 80 miles or more! This winter
escape provides you with some classic high level winter walking on
distinctive mountains in the east and central Highlands.
holiday
details | check
availability
Mountain Innovations Ltd, Fraoch Lodge, Deshar Road, Boat of Garten, Inverness-shire, PH24 3BN, tel: 01479 831 331
