The Highland Mountain Company

12/04/2026

We still have 1 space left on our Skye munros course on 29th May-1st June.
Aim to summit all the 11 black Cuillin munros over the 4 days.
1:2 ratio,
climbing kit provided,
£700.

Skye Munros course at The Highland Mountain Company. Summit the 11 Munros on the Skye Cuillin ridge in 4 days with an experienced guide & climbing kit provided.

20/02/2026

Coming down off Ben Nevis after a planned evening/night ascent to try and beat the bad weather today.

20/02/2026

Coming down Ben Nevis last night after a planned evening/night ascent to beat the bad weather coming in today.

20/02/2026

Ben Nevis via the mountain path at night.

With the date planned for today and the weather being rubbish for the hills we managed to swap for an evening/night ascent last night, to make the most of the better weather.

We started at 4pm and made good progress up to the zigzags before turning the head torches on. With a bit of wind and snow falling we made our way up.

We got to the top of zigzag 5 around 1050m before making the sensible decision to turn around due to tired legs and knees, which were very stiff by the bottom, so good decision. Back down by 10pm.

Going up in the dark is obviously very hard in winter conditions and not recommended. To pass the Winter mountain leader which is needed to lead people walking in the UK in winter.

https://www.mountain-training.org/qualifications/walking/winter-mountain-leader/

You are assessed on night navigation. On days 3,4,5 of the assessment. Day 3 walk into the hills in a whiteout, dig a snow hole, night navigation most of the night, day 4 more whiteout nav all day then night navigation again, bit of sleep in the snow hole, day 4 more whiteout nav back off the mountains. With hopefully a pass at the end of it.

14/02/2026

1250m on Ben Nevis today, first view of 2026

14/02/2026

Ben Nevis via the mountain path.

After seeing lots of sunny snow photos through the week it was good to get out in it myself.

We made good progress up the mountain hitting the snow at the half way point and putting crampons on straight away. The snow is firm and icy at the moment with fairly big consequences for a slip in a good few places on the mountain path.

Lots of people making good progress up the hill. About 1/3 with crampons, 1/3 with micro spikes and 1/3 with trainers.

People with crampons were getting up, and down looking comfortable. Micro spikes were doing ok on the way up mostly apart from when it was steep and not very well on the way down, no better than the trainers. Most of the trainers were turning around after a bit of snow; hard work on the way up and on the way down.

Your feet are the one part of your body that secures you to the mountain, it’s worth giving it due attention. It’s a shame to compromise your chances of a summit in good weather after spending the time, money and effort to get to the start point.

Boots and crampons can be hired in Fort William for the price of a few drinks in the pub.

If you would like a winter day out then let me know, we still have some availability in March

https://www.thehighlandmountaincompany.co.uk/winter-guiding

10/02/2026

10/02/2026

Winter skills day 3 for mountaineering Ireland, the white box

Today was day 3 of the winter skills course and we went into the whiteout on Craig Meagaidh to see what winter navigation was all about.

With a windy walk up to the ‘window’, we then started navigating towards the summit by walking on a bearing. This requires a few skills of knowing where you are, where you want to get to and then walking in a straight line, all with gloves on, strong wind, zero vis and soft snow.

The guys did well with their skills and straight walking towards seemingly other blank parts of the mountain before walking onto another blank part of the mountain before getting to the summit.

This is probably one of the hardest winter environments you can be in and it requires real practice in navigation to be confident you are doing the right things, in the harshest of conditions.

09/02/2026

Winter skills day 2 for Mountaineering Ireland

Today we walked into Stob Corie Nan Lochan where we got good views and lots of snow.

Once we got in to the Corie we looked at ascending steeper snow and the tactics of how to make it as safe and efficient as possible.

We then made of way round the top of the crags to the summit.

08/02/2026

Winter skills with Mountaineering Ireland

Today I was delivering day 1 of 3 of winter skills for Mountaineering Ireland.

With warm and wet weather over the last few days I was surprised to see that a lot of snow had melted up high with a lot of rocks and moorland showing through.

We looked at the fundamentals of good footwork in soft snow and picking a good route to make progress efficient.

We summited peak 902m where it was just cold enough for it to be snowing but the snow was still soft.

07/02/2026

Winter skills and Ben Nevis weekend.

Today was day 1 winter skills in Glencoe. We focused on the fundamentals of good footwork on different types of snow with and without crampons.

We made good progress up the hill where we were shelyfrom the easterly wind. We practiced ice axe arrest which the guys picked up well and then made our way higher towards the 901m summit.

The wind was fierce once we were exposed on the easterly side and only just made it to the top.

Good luck to the guys tomorrow on their Ben Nevis ascent with Craig.

If you would like to book a winter skills course or winter skills and Ben Nevis ascent then let me know, we still have spaces in March and winter snow outlook is looking good. https://www.thehighlandmountaincompany.co.uk/winter-guiding