27th February 2019
The current unseasonably warm weather continues to have an impact on the extremely limited winter conditions and therefore the planned provision of Mountaineering Instructor Certificate courses. The weather outlook for next week, whilst becoming stormier and colder, is not currently expected to appreciably alter the conditions. MIC courses at Plas y Brenin and Glenmore Lodge for the week commencing 3rd March have been cancelled.
The long term forecasts are looking positive for a return to colder weather so we continue to monitor and consider the current conditions and review the viability of running courses on a week by week basis.
John CousinsMTUK Chief Executive Officer
22nd February 2019
The 2019 winter season has been characterised by limited snow cover and dramatic weather changes, which has proved challenging for recreational climbers and mountaineers as well as all of the supporting Highland-based industries. Twelve months after ‘the Beast from East,’ yesterday Scotland found itself recording the warmest February day in Scotland since 1897!
Our two
Mountaineering Instructor Certificate (MIC) providers, Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin worked really hard in mid-February to deliver MIC training to a total of eight candidates, adapting their programmes and schedules to make the best of conditions in the corries of Cairngorm and Glencoe and the ridges around Creag Meagaidh and Ben Nevis.
Unfortunately, another significant warm weather period has begun with temperatures expected in the high teens at sea level this weekend with summit temperatures around +6-8 degrees and into the end of next week. This, combined with the limited snow conditions, has meant some difficult decisions regarding the MIC training and assessment courses planned for the coming week (25th February) at Glenmore Lodge and Plas y Brenin. Whilst there is still some provision of relevant winter skills training being offered by a number of providers, the exacting syllabus requirements of the MIC scheme require suitable conditions to address each element in detail. MTUK has therefore worked with its two MIC providers and Mountain Training Scotland to monitor all available long range forecasts with a view to managing safety while delivering complete courses wherever possible.
The result is that next week’s MIC courses have now been cancelled. Our sympathies go to the candidates that have worked so hard in preparation for their intended course.
No decisions have been made about courses planned for early March just yet so we will all be watching the forecasts intently. There are currently at least six MIC candidates hoping to be trained, twelve aiming to be assessed and three planning to complete reassessments between now and the end of March. No doubt these people are keeping in touch with their providers but they are also welcome to contact me if they need any advice or guidance from Mountain Training UK.
I’m sure winter isn’t over yet and depending on when it returns, the providers may be able to arrange a ‘pop up’ course but this will naturally be dependent on a substantial shift in the conditions.
John CousinsMTUK Chief Executive Officer