UK GUIDING

Whether summer or winter The CIC hut is the UKs closest equivalent to an alpine refuge, it has cooking facilities, a shared dormitory, a great drying room and always a brilliant atmosphere with other people telling stories of their day out. It also allows us to have relatively quick access to the amazing climbing. Let us know if you would like to book a place.

The guide will send you a google maps pin for the meeting location beforehand. If road conditions are particularly snowy then they will pick you up from your accommodation. 

We strongly recommend taking out travel and cancelation insurance. The BMC insurance is very comprehensive. Make sure that you have insurance that will cover any costs in the event that you cannot attend the trip due to injury or illness.

All guiding is carried out at a max ratio of 1:2, but any long and technical routes are guided at 1:1, such as some big ice routes. If you have a larger team, then more guides will be required.

There is an Cuillin traverse kit list on the blog, which you can see if you follow the link here. 

And a Scottish winter kit list here.

The best time to rock climb in Scotland is usually mid April to mid June, this way you avoid the dreaded midges and the often wet summer. In winter your guess is as good as mine! There can be winter conditions from December to April, with ice building during the later part of the season, however winter can be fickle some years and can disappear completely for a few weeks.

If staying in the CIC hut it costs £26/night. You will also need to pay for any food that night which the guide will buy and cook. 

If taking the Aonach Mor gondola it costs £27.50 pp and the parking is £5. These costs will have to be covered for the guide as well.

The daily rate for UK guiding starts at £370. You may also have to cover any of the guides expenses such as lifts, food and parking.