Outdoor Adventure Students Brave the Elements
In late January, students studying for the BSc Outdoor Adventure Leadership and Management qualification at Herefordshire College of Technology undertook a winter skills course in North East Scotland.
The students, who all aspire to work in the Outdoor Adventure industry spent the week braving sub-zero temperatures and winds of up to 80 mph developing the skills and knowledge required to safely operate in this challenging environment.
Based in the Cairngorms, the students, accompanied by two of their lecturers Joby Davis and Lee Pritchard, learnt how to use ice axes and crampons to travel in the winter mountains and climb gullies and ridges. Emergency shelters were constructed, navigation was practiced and avalanche awareness developed.
Over the course of the week the students progressed from travelling on easy terrain to ascending graded winter climbs, requiring proficient rope work and careful route choice. On completion of the week students are equipped with the skills required to operate independently in winter conditions enabling them to further develop individual skills which will be of benefit to them in their chosen careers.
