Extended training for students

THE SUCCESS of a groundbreaking winter mountain safety partnership between St John Scotland and Mountaineering Scotland has led to its expansion into the autumn months as well as winter.

The project, funded by St John Scotland, is aimed at young people, with an experienced mountain safety instructor working directly with Scottish university mountaineering clubs.

The scheme began in the winter of 2015-16 when Nick Carter worked with 10 different university mountaineering clubs, giving on-the-hill training to students, teaching them about winter skills, winter mountaineering and winter climbing, depending on their existing levels of experience. He also gave evening winter safety lectures.

By the end of the first season, St John Scotland was so impressed by what the project had achieved it extended it into the autumn term.

This will allow pre-winter training which will prepare often inexperienced students in advance of the less forgiving conditions in winter.

Angus Loudon, St John Scotland’s executive director, said: ‘The work he does with young people is critical and ensures climbers are equipped with the necessary skills to deal with Scotland’s often treacherous terrain and conditions.’