Scottish Winter Climbing

Scotland in the colder months offers a wealth of winter climbing, in a variety of styles: from blue-green water ice, to routes mostly relying on frozen turf, to cutting-edge mixed climbs. The conditions and weather are notoriously fickle, meaning nothing is guaranteed, but some of the north-facing gullies are the best bet for reliable climbing.

Though small in stature compared to other mountainous regions, the Scottish highlands are a seriously challenging environment, with all the hazards of any alpine range. Don't underestimate the potential for avalanche, cornices, storms, etc. The most reliable weather forecast is the met office mountain weather forecast and an avalanche forecast for major regions is provided by the sais

The most popular areas are the North face of Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, Crag Meagaidh and the Cairngorms, and there is enough in just these areas to keep you busy for a lifetime! Further afield (and mostly further North), isolated corries reward the more intrepid climber.

Like trad routes in Britain, the Scottish winter grading system (used throughout the UK) can seem a bit of an enigma on first acquaintance. It again has two parts, with similar meanings to the trad counterparts. The first is a progression in Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV,...), denoting the "overall severity" of the climb. This can be increased not just by technical difficulty, but by sustained sequences, poor protection/belays, or high commitment. The second is a progression in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3,...), and denotes just how technically difficult the crux of the route is. It makes no concession for a short vs. sustained sequence, or the protection at the crux: it is simply the technical difficulty.