Edinburgh University Hillwalking Club

Time for crampons! Scottish winters (November - April) can be particularly harsh with snow and ice encountered on most walks. Just because the mountains in Scotland rarely exceed 4000 feet, do not underestimate how bad the weather conditions can often be at this latitude! However, it is also extremely fun and rewarding walking in winter, providing you have the necessary equipment. We will do our best to ensure your safety, but to do this we do have to insist that you have the right kit. If you come on a trip in winter without the necessary kit, you will not allowed to walk!

The club will provide ice axes and crampons, however crampons will only fit stiff soled boots so STIFF SOLED BOOTS ARE ESSENTIAL ("Stiff soled" does not mean fully rigid or heavy but if you can bend the sole easily in your hands then it's too soft and bendy to create secure footsteps and take crampons; bring your boots to a booking night to check if your are not sure). Boots can be hired from the Leith branch of Tiso (~£10/weekend) if you cannot afford your own pair.

Besides stiff soled boots, ice axe and crampons, there are several other items that can be lifesavers in sub-zero temperatures:

• Flask with hot drink: water freezes on cold days, especially in the pipes of hydration systems! You lose more moisture on cold days. Hot juice is better as tea and coffee will dehydrate you.
• Extra food (chocolate, nuts and jelly): you use a lot more energy in the winter.
• Spare items of warm clothing: layer up when you stop for lunch before you get cold.
• Gaiters: although optional in summer, these are essential in winter when there is deep snow. Without these, your boots will be full of cold melted snow by the end of the day!
• Spare woolly hat or balaclava: you lose 70% of your body heat through your head so it's a good idea to have a second/spare hat in the winter.
• Good quality warm gloves and spare gloves: cold hands can lead to hypothermia. Gloves are easily lost, so a spare pair is essential.
• Goggles or sunglasses: sun on snow can cause snowblindness so tinted glasses are handy. Any wind will pick up grains of ice and this makes trying to follow a bearing very painful!

Existing club members will help you to learn how to use these items, but the best way to learn is to go on a training course (e.g. the annual EUHWC winter skills course). 

"Why do I need stiff soled boots for walking in winter?"

Stiff soles are essential when walking in snow, as you will often have to kick into the snow or dig in the edges of your boots to ensure a secure footing. Stiff soles are also essential when fitting crampons (which are used when crossing ice/hard snow) - if the soles of your boots are not stiff, the crampons can come off or even snap (not a great thing to happen on an icy slope!). Stiff soled" does not mean fully rigid or heavy but if you can bend the sole easily in your hands then it's too soft

Boots (further info from the MCofS):

Boots need to be relatively stiffsoled with sufficient rigidity to create secure footsteps by using the side edges or toes. They don’t need to be heavy or fully stiffened mountaineering boots but if you can bend the sole easily in your hands then it’s too soft and bendy to create secure footsteps. Rounded heels are no good because you can’t create a firm step when descending. Don’t be fooled into thinking that stiff soled boots are only needed on steep slopes. Many slips and falls occur on relatively easy angled slopes on popular hillwalking routes.

Crampons (further info from the MCofS):

Crampons are often essential for secure footing, and using them effectively is a skill which takes time to develop. A common mistake is trying to use the uphill edge in the same way as we use our boot edges when not wearing crampons. Another error is only engaging the heel when descending rather than getting all the points into contact with the snow or ice. Your feet should be flat on the snow with all (if possible!) points engaged. Even half a day of training with someone who can demonstrate the correct technique will make a huge difference. Crampons are not as effective with bendy boots and we need relatively stiff soles for secure footwork when not wearing crampons.