ITINERARY
During this week we will use forecasts to chose the best venue for the day- and there is no shortage of these! We find that having too stiff a plan is not much fun, so the point of what is written below is to give you an idea of a typical week. We'll adapt to how we feel and see what the weather brings.

Over the week we will visit the Glyderau range, Snowdon, the Nantlle Ridge, Carneddau and Moel Eilio.

COST
£294
£tbc hostel supplement
£tbc B&B supplement

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
5 days guided walking
(5 nights accommodation upon arrangement: camping, hostel, B&B)
group equipment
use of compass

MAP
OS Explorer Map Active, 1:25,000, 'Snowdon'

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'Hillwalking in Snowdonia' by Steve Ashton (2002, Cicerone) 'Ridges of Snowdonia' by Steve Ashton (2002, Cicerone) '200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert 'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield 'The High Mountains Companion' by Irvine Butterfield (a text version of the above)

The Cairngorm National Park forms the largest area of arctic mountain landscape in the UK and is host to some 25% of the country's threatened plants, animals and birds. These mountains are ancient & magnificent to experience.

ITINERARY
This is a suggested itinerary only. We find that having too stiff a plan is not much fun, so the point of what is written below is to give you an idea of a typical week. We'll adapt to how we feel and the weather. We may find that you would prefer fewer nights camping, or more.

Monday 17th August: A gentle day takes us up the dragon back ridge of Bynack More where we can experience the imposing beauty of the granite tors. There are a choice of routes back home from here, either back through the glens, or up and over Cairngorm and down her northern flanks.
Tuesday 18th: It would be a sad thing to go to the Northern Cairngorms and not climb Braeriach. Today, we'll access the mountains from the western side at Glen Feshie. Should we feel like it, there are the tops surrounding Loch Eininch: Sgoran Dubh Mor and Sgor Gaoit. And then a long but gentle rise to the top of Braeriach, where we may be allowed incrdible views over to Cairn Toul, Ben Macdui and the Larig Ghru. A long track walk back through the forests at Rothiemurchus may lead us nicely on to a slap up meal at the Old Bridge Inn.
Wednesday 19th: This morning we pack up and head for the heart of the Cairngorm plateau. By accessing the plateau from the Cas car park, we gain some free metres. After heading up the wide north eastern ridge of Cairngorm we may even stop by for a hot chocolate (or icecream!) at the restaurant. We'll be able to walk easily across the plateau with a feeling of great space and the elements about us, around the northern coires, to the 2nd highest mountain in the country, Ben Macdui. From here we'll descend to the beautiful shore of Loch Etchegan, which makes for a wonderful wild camping spot.
Thursday 20th: Today we can enjoy a lighter rucsack as we day trip from our camp to visit Derry Cairngorm and the towering tors of Beinn Mheadhoin
Friday 21st: And finally down to Loch Avon and it's imposing string of cliffs - the Shelter Stone and Carn Etchegan. From here we'll either reutrn via one of the glens, or resurface up to the plateau.

COST
£308 Hostel accommodation
£tbc B&B supplement

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
5 days guided walking
2 nights wild camping
2 nights accommodation at a Youth Hostel
group equipment

MAP
OS, sheet 36, 'Grantown, Aviemore & Cairngorm', Landranger 1:50 000

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'Hostile Habitats' by M Wrightham & N Kempe
'200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains' by Cameron McNeish (2006)

“The mood, temper, climate, and conditions of Nevis are inexhaustibly various; their changes swifter and more radical than on any other hill, and not predictable even one day in advance. No other mountain has been more roundly cursed by the disappointed climber, or so lavishly praised by the fortunate: because nothing he ever gets is expected.” W H Murray

These famous routes are challenging outings for most walkers. The Carn Mor Dearg arete allows stunning views across to the north faces of Ben Nevis, and in our humble opinion, are the best route to the summit of the country's highest mountain. If you have done no scrambling before, this is a good introduction to exposed walks. Much of the ridge has choices of easier routes that are less 'airey'.

The Aonach Eagach is the most impressive and famous ridge on the main land. It's more challenging than the Carn Mor Dearg Arete, but it's difficulties are worth the incredible views and landscape. This is also an opportunity for those of you who are keen Munroists to reach these summits with a bit of help & a friendly group.

ITINERARY
Saturday 7th: Carn Mor Dearg arete leading to the summit of Ben Nevis.
Sunday 8th: Aonach Eagach ridge, East to West.

COST
£175

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
2 days guided walking
group equipment

MAP
OS, Landranger sheet 41, ‘Ben Nevis, Fort William & surrounding area’, 1:50,000

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'Ben Nevis' by Ken Crocket & Simon Richardson (2009, SMT)
'Always A Little Further' by Alastair Borthwick (1939/89, Diadem)
'Mountain Days & Bothy Nights' by Dave Brown & Ian Mitchell (1987/2008, Luath)
'The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains' by Cameron McNeish (2006)

“Twenty peaks of naked rock shimmered in the heat-haze; a horse-shoe of light grey spikes linked by a six mile ridge of gabbro and shattered basalt, narrow, rarely sinking under three thousand feet…After an hour of silent admiration I took a wider sweep with the eye, disclosing a feast of sunlit seas and distant islands, and still later, a still wider sweep to embrace skyscapes that rocked the mind with wonder. Time spent in failing to fathom a blue sky is never spent in vain.” WH Murray

Skye and the famous range of mountains called the Cuillin are a truly magical and unique experience of rock, sky, mountain and sea. They offer a myriad of mountain unmatched by any other area in the UK and seep the history and possibility of mountaineering adventures.

The mountains suggested below are a great way for a walker to get to the heart of what the Cuillins are known for. If you have done these particular summits then there are others that we can do.

ITINERARY
The itinerary for this week is left quite open: there are numerous routes and peaks & each day will be decided upon according to the needs and desires of the group.

COST
£345 camping
£tbc B&B supplement

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
5 days guided walking
4 nights at Glen Brittle Campsite
group equipment

MAP
Harvey's Superwalker, 'Skye, The Cuillin', 1:25,000, ISBN 1-85137-287-3 NB: don't use the OS 1:50,000, you just can't see much!

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'The Cuillin' by Gordon Stainforth (2002, Constable)
'The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains' by Cameron McNeish (2006)
'200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'Ben Nevis' by Ken Crocket & Simon Richardson (2009, SMT)
'Always A Little Further' by Alastair Borthwick (1939/89, Diadem)
'Mountain Days & Bothy Nights' by Dave Brown & Ian Mitchell (1987/2008, Luath)

These beautiful & well situated mountains (a few miles from Stirling) are perfect for getting to grips with navigation. The features in these hills offer a range of terrain that allows us to go through the vast range of skills used to keep us safe. According to rescue figures the primary reason for people calling out the local rescue team is down to navigational issues. This one day clinic will go along way to increasing your confidence & fine tuning your techniques.

ITINERARY
Saturday 14th: We will meet at Stirling train station at 9am and after a quick drive over to Tillicoultry & the hills (less than 20 minutes) we'll be slipping into our walking boots. I'll expect to be donning my flip flops and enjoying a post walk brew by 5pm. A lift back to the station will be provided for those in need.
Sunday 15th: Today will follow the same format, but we will be focusing in particular on the use of GPS'. Many people carry these amazing bits of technoology these days but could perhaps do with brushing up their skills & familiarity. If you prefer 'doing' to reading the manual, come and join us!

COST
£38 per day

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
1 day's intensive navigation clinic
group equipment
lift to & from the station / bus stop
we have some GPS units that we can loan out

MAP
OS, Landranger 58, ‘Perth to Alloa’ 1:50 000

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'Mountaincraft and Leadership' by Eric Langmuir is a classic & extensive book & has a good chapter on navigation
'Mountain Navigation' by Peter Cliff is a great & thorogh little book
'Hillwalking: the official handbook of the Mountain Leader & Walking Group Leader shemes' by Steve Long (2004)

The West Highland Way is the best long distance walk in Britain. Over 95 miles of well pathed terrain are fantastic views of everything the Highlands have to offer: magestic mountains, glittering lochs and idyllic glens & rivers.

This route can be done in up to 10 days and is a truly awesome challenge.

ITINERARY
Sunday 15th: Milngavie to Drymen (12 miles)
Monday 16th: Drymen to Rowardennan (15 miles)
Tuesday 17th: Rowardennan to Crainlarich (20 miles).
Wednesday 18th: Crainlarich to Bridge of Orchy (13 miles).
Thursday 19th: Bridge of Orchy to Kinlochleven (21 miles).
Friday 20th: And finally, Kinlochleven to Fort William (14 miles)!

COST
£399 wild camping
£ hostel supplement
£tbc B&B supplement

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
5 days guided walking
5 nights accommodation (*as above)
group equipment
logistics & planning
drop off & pick up

MAP
Harvey, XT40, 'West Highland Way'

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'The Wild Muir: 22 of John Muir's Greatest Adventures' by Lee Stetson (2008)
'200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'Ben Nevis' by Ken Crocket & Simon Richardson (2009, SMT)
'Always A Little Further' by Alastair Borthwick (1939/89, Diadem)
'Mountain Days & Bothy Nights' by Dave Brown & Ian Mitchell (1987/2008, Luath)
'The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains' by Cameron McNeish (2006)

ITINERARY
Friday 20th:
Saturday 21st:
Sunday 22nd:

COST
£ camping
£tbc B&B supplement

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
2 days guided walking
a night's camping
group equipment

MAP

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'Capturing the Mountains - The Lake District through the Lens of the Abraham Brothers' (2008, Abraham Family/Titus Wilson)
'And Nobody Woke Up Dead - The Life and Times of Mabel Barker' by Jan Levi (2006, Ernest Press)

This course is a mobile one: we'll make the best of the weather, conditions & aspirations of the group. We certainly won't be short of inspiration! We will be able to string together some of the classics if a night under the stars is tempting. The giants of Glen Coe, Ben Nevis and the Cairngorm plateau are all possibilities, as are the lesser trampled satellite summits.

COST
£289

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
5 day's guided walking
group equipment
possible pick up & drop off

MAP
TBC, dependent on the group's plots & plans!

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'Ben Nevis' by Ken Crocket & Simon Richardson (2009, SMT)
'Always A Little Further' by Alastair Borthwick (1939/89, Diadem)
'Mountain Days & Bothy Nights' by Dave Brown & Ian Mitchell (1987/2008, Luath)
'The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains' by Cameron McNeish (2006)

ITINERARY
Saturday 28th:
Sunday 29th:

COST
£tbc

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
2 days instruction
group equipment

MAP
OS, Landranger sheet

ldquo;We headed for Glen Coe intent on the pleasure of traversing the Aonach Eagach Ridge in the sun and snow…Conditions were iron hard, the way untracked, the snow and ice sparkling, the sky blue against white, gleaming hills. Roped, we traversed west towards the sun, and far out, the sea. Absorbed, we eventually found ourselves climbing on a crest of pink snow, the glen a growing blackness beneath us. The sun was setting but we moved in a world of light. Anne had no desire to leave the ridge. She liked pink snow…Under a scatter of stars, we plunged down the side of the ridge somewhere before Clachaig Gully…Lights approached. We saw the Glen Coe road under our feet…We were down. It had been a good day.&dquo; WH Murray

Cited by Cameron McNeish as the ‘spiritual home of mountaineering’, Glen Coe includes an amazing array of mountaineering opportunities whatever your experience or aspirations. From the vast Rannoch Moor, past the perfectly conical Buachaille Etive Mor (‘Great Shepherd of the Etive’), and along the most popular ridge in mainland Britain, the Aonach Eagach, Glen Coe has fine scenery for truly exciting adventures.

The Scottish Mountaineering Club’s Lagangarbh Hut makes a perfect base nestled at the foot of Buachaille Etive Mor, which marks the gateway to Glen Coe. This hut is a renovated cottage with fully equipped kitchen, 2 showers, a drying room, sitting room and 2 bedrooms with platform beds for twenty people.

ITINERARY
We don't have an itinerary for this course, as we tend to find that ridgid plans make for less happy people. Below are some of the summits and areas we will venture to.

Buachaille Etive Beag, Buachaille Etive Mor, Bidean nam Bian, Stob Coire nan Lochan, Gearr Aonach, the Ballachulish horseshoe, a Mamores outing and the Aoach Eagach summits.

COST
£259 SMC club hut accommodation, depending on availability at the time of booking
£tbc B&B supplement upon request

BOOKING FORM

WHAT'S INCLUDED
5 days guided walking
4 night's accommodation
group equipment

MAP
OS, Landranger sheet 41, ‘Ben Nevis, Fort William & surrounding area’, 1:50,000

BOOKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
'The Munros: Scotland's Highest Mountains' by Cameron McNeish (2006)
'200 Challenging Walkins in Britain & Ireland' by Richard Gilbert (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains of Britain & Ireland' by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks)
'The High Mountains Companion by Irvine Butterfield (Baton Wicks) (a text version of the above)
'Ben Nevis' by Ken Crocket & Simon Richardson (2009, SMT)
'Always A Little Further' by Alastair Borthwick (1939/89, Diadem)
'Mountain Days & Bothy Nights' by Dave Brown & Ian Mitchell (1987/2008, Luath)