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Glen Coe Winter Ascent

WINTER HILLWALKING AND MOUNTAINEERING IN SCOTLAND

About Us

We are passionate about the natural world and its beautiful wild places.

We have a deep respect and appreciation for the environment and a love for adventure and silent human-powered sports.

More about us

Winter Hillwalking in Glen Coe

Our Winter Hillwalking trips take place in the Glen Coe and Black Mount region.

Weather conditions play a key role in planning, safety and route choice, and will always dictate the final location on the day.

There are 282 mountains in Scotland over 914m / 3000ft. We are in these mountains year round exploring and guiding clients to summits in wild and remote locations.

During the winter season we focus on the iconic summits of the Western Highlands.

Experience Mountain Adventure in Glen Coe

Winter in the Scottish mountains is a serious and highly rewarding undertaking. Reduced daylight, snow and continually changing conditions in wild and remote locations make for a real mountaineering adventure.

Glen Coe is one of the most magnificent areas of natural wilderness in the whole of Britain with many and varied summits and ridges of over 3000 feet.

In winter it represents an awe inspiring and significant challenge. Summits include Bidean nam Bian which at 1150m is the highest in Glen Coe and Argyle.

Other iconic summits we regularly lead client to are Stob Coire nan Lochan, Buachaille Etive Mor and its little sister Buachaille Etive Beag.

Together these represent some of the most beautiful mountains in the UK and beyond.

Learn Core Winter Hillwalking Skills

Your professional guide in a group of no more than 6 will focus on how to use an ice axe and crampons and how to navigate safely through steep terrain often under snow.

The emphasis will be on winter skills, mountain weather forecasts, avalanche awareness, navigation, accurate decision-making and building confidence in the mountains to become your own independent adventurer.

If you would like to explore About Winter Hillwalking in Scotland further, you can read extensive details here on equipment, kit lists, reviews, blogs and FAQs here.

Recent Glen Coe Winter Mountaineering Trips

winter climbing Stob Dubh with Ocean Vertical Glen Coe Scotland

Keeping out the spindrift on the summit of Bidean nam Bian at 1150 meters

winter mountaineering with Ocean Vertical Meall nan Tarmachan and Meall Garbh Scotland

A very happy client on the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe

stob coire nan lochan glen coe winter

Taking a photo opportunity below Stob Coire nan Lochan in Glen Coe

Buachaille Etive Beag and Stob Dubh winter mountaineering Glen Coe

Navigating in full winter conditions on Buachaille Etive Beag in Glen Coe

Ocean Vertical winter skills training on Buachaille Etive Beag in Glen Coe

Winter hillwalking doesn't get much better than this on Buachaille Etive Beag in Glen Coe

Winter mountaineering and climbing on Bidean nan Bian in Glen Coe Scotland

Clients taking a deserved photo opportunity on the summit of Buachaille Etive Beag in Glen Coe

Customer Reviews

Great trip, winter hillwalking with Stevie and Jacob. Great to be able to tick off a Munro in the winter. Excellent instruction on fitting crampons to boots, using an ice axe, traversing, ascending and descending. Superb demonstrations on technical aspects of self-arrest and top tips for winter hill walking were given frequently. Great to finally get crampons on and see what the winter walking is like, which was epic. Instruction is tailored to the group’s prior experience, and the day is well-planned and paced at a good rate suitable for all. The vehicle you travel in is very comfy, with the crew informing you of the day’s plan once everyone is aboard. The equipment rented from OV is high quality. Stevie is highly knowledgeable and evidently experienced and answers any queries you have throughout the day well. Highly recommend this trip as a must-do when visiting Scotland.James

James | Edinburgh

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Winter Hillwalking Experience with Ocean Vertical. After a few days of snow had fallen in the Highlands we booked at pretty short notice and had a brilliant day on Stob a’Choire Odhair with Stevie. Conditions – and Stevie’s choice of mountain given the mixed forecast – were perfect. We learnt a huge amount about being in the mountains in winter (planning, decision-making, use of equipment) and had a whole lot of fun in the process. The smiles at the summit said it all!

Stevie took the time to find out what we all wanted from the day and managed the different levels in our group really well, giving just the right level of support and encouragement to the less confident (me!) as well as the right level of challenge to the more confident. Communication before the day was excellent and the pick up and drop off service was great; it means you arrive at the hill fresh (and can snooze on the way home after the day’s adventures… )

We’re looking forward to our next OV trip!

Jenny | Manchester

We had the most amazing day in the Black Mount area with Ocean Vertical. We were a bit of a mixed group with a range of abilities and “risk takers”, and Stevie judged the day and what we would be able to achieve as a group, PERFECTLY. It was such an incredible view from the top and was a wonderful experience. I learnt so much about how to assess weather conditions and make decisions sensibly in the mountains, it has given me much more confidence.

Harriet | Glasgow

Enjoyed a great day in early January with Stevie and Adrian bagging 3 Munro’s – Ben Lawers, An Stuc and Beinn Ghlas.

Great to have the knowledge to take us on the less trodden route to the top of Ben Lawers, help negotiate the atmospheric conditions on the day and give us options for climbs. Thanks, guys! Looking forward to the next winter mountaineering in Scotland trip!

Gary | East Lothian

Amazing day out winter mountaineering in Scotland in the snow with Stevie and Adrian yesterday. We learned loads of new techniques including how to use crampons and an ice axe! Feeling more confident in managing Scottish winter conditions and looking forward to getting another day out with them soon.

Ciara | Edinburgh

Had a fantastic day out learning basic mountaineering under the tutorage of Stevie and Adrian. Lots of knowledge shared on key skills for the mountain, as well as having a go with crampons and ice axe for the first time.

Felt safe at all times and throughout the day the guys did a fantastic job make sure the pace was suitable for the whole group.

Brilliant value for money, will definitely do again very soon and can’t recommend enough!

Pete | Haddington

Lucky enough this year to go out with Ocean Vertical winter mountaineering in Glen Coe, paddle boarding in East Lothian and just recently rock climbing outdoors in Northumberland. Each experience has been an awesome day! Learning valuable skills like navigation in the winter to learning how to safely climb on rock from Stevie and Adrian who are both great at what they do. Loads of experience and knowledge in the outdoors. Looking forward to hopefully more adventure in Scotland soon.

Darrel | East Lothian

Thoroughly enjoyed another trip mountaineering to stunning Glen Coe with the highly experienced team at Ocean Vertical. With transparent and on-going risk assessment, Stevie and Adrian strive to provide their adventurers with the best experience in the conditions available – adapting where necessary with their extensive knowledge of the area. Whether it’s been paddle boarding, climbing or mountaineering in Scotland, I have always had a safe and truly rewarding experience. Can’t wait to get out with them again!

Ruth | East Lothian

I thought we were mad getting up for a 3.30am start to go winter hillwalking! I now know why we did it. Watching the winter sunrise over Glen Coe was pretty special. Would I do it again? I’m already booked in for my next trip!

Emily | Edinburgh

First time with an ice axe and crampons! What a day in the Glen Coe mountains with Ocean Vertical. It was absolutely breath taking with amazing views and lots of snow! Feeling a lot more confident after this trip and cant wait to get out again….. Brilliant!

Sally | Edinburgh

What a adventure climbing with Ocean Vertical in Glen Coe!. Not being an experienced climber the guides led us to the top of a very snowy mountain with knowledge experience and skill. Mesmerised by the views I am already looking to book my next trip. There is a whole other world in those mountains – epic day. They also provided transport, ice axes, crampons and boots!

Sarah | North Berwick

Ocean Vertical is brought together by people who live and breathe the mountain and outdoor life to the full extent. I have spent an absolutely amazing time with Stevie and Adrian and Ocean Vertical climbing in the Scottish mountains.

The practical and technical information they pass on to people is truly their passion, and it is felt on the journey, in the mountains and their lifestyle. That you Ocean Vertical – 5 stars :]

Dianaliis | Estonia

I was working in Edinburgh and planned to do some walking with a group of friends. A colleague recommended Ocean Vertical. I called but they were booked out, had a call-back and they coordinated a mountain trip for us!
A day later, I was standing 3,500 feet up on Stob Coire nan Lochan in snow and ice looking out over the most incredible scenery in Glen Coe, a brilliant trip that I couldn’t have accessed without Stevie and Adrian who were fabulous guides. Totally recommend!

Angus | London

What a day! Spectacular weather and views. Lots of snow and it was freezing! First time with an ice axe and crampons. The guys at Ocean Vertical were brilliant. We talked about planning, decision-making, navigation and how to use our technical equipment – I now know how to fit a crampon! Huge thanks and will be back!

Karen | Edinburgh

Trip Overview

Trip Overview

Availability

November - April

Trip Overview

Duration

10-12 hours

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Difficulty

Challenging

Trip Overview

Language

English

Trip Overview

Meeting Point

6.30am. Ingliston Park and Ride EH28 8LS Edinburgh Airport [Or Wallyford Park and Ride EH21 8BU at 6am / or contact us]

Trip Overview

Minimum Age

16

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Total Distance

8 - 15km

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Mountaineering Time

5-8 hours

Trip Overview

Summit

1150m

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Group Size

Maximum 6

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Minimum Number

3

Trip Overview

Weather

If the weather is unsafe your Guide will choose an alternative mountain location

What’s included (and not)

Included

  • Experienced & qualified guide
  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Helmet
  • 25L rucksack
  • Transport to and from the mountains.

Not Included

  • Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm clothing
  • Hat and gloves
  • Lunch

Optional extras

  • Premium winter mountaineering boots - Scarpa Manta. Hassle free - we bring them to you. £15

What to bring with you

Winter mountaineering boots - crampon compatible

Waterproof trousers

Please do not use cotton clothing

Wool socks

Base layer

Gloves – plus spares

Lightweight fleece

Warm hat – plus spare

Fleece or soft-shell jacket

Spare fleece / warm top

Trousers – synthetic that dry quickly

Lunch, snacks and liquid

Waterproof jacket with hood

Glen Coe trip map

Edinburgh to Glen Coe / 116.6 miles (187.6 km)

Accreditations
Adventure Activities Licensing Authority ASI Accredited School - Stand Up Paddle ASI Academy of Surfing Instructors NCC Promoting Safe Coasteering