What to wear and pack for winter mountaineering in Scotland Time for Winter Hillwalking and Mountaineering

Our mission at Ocean Vertical is simple: To share a love for adventure in the natural world and ensure the survival of our last remaining wild places.

We spend a chunk of the year…

Mollie Hughes and Ocean Vertical

Here at Ocean Vertical HQ we have some very exciting news, we are welcoming world-record breaking mountaineer and polar expeditioner Mollie Hughes to the team as a Director of OV.

Mollie will join forces with founders Adrian Boot and Stevie Boyle to help elevate Ocean…

Planning for Winter Mountaineering in Scotland Expert Winter Hillwalking and Mountaineering Guides

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.

We are in these mountains year round exploring…

Sunrise: Winter Mountaineering, Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coe. The most extraordinary outdoor adventure in Scotland

The 13th of March 2020 unfolded into one of the most remarkable winter mountaineering days; transformational and life affirming. Little did we know we wouldn’t be seeing the mountains again for a while.

Coronavirus; social…

Winter on Meall nan Tarmachan

Its late February and its been snowing. The Mountain Weather Information Service is telling us winds of 30 – 40mph dropping by early afternoon, snow showers clearing and 50% cloud free. Temperatures -3 at 900m but feeling more like -15 with wind chill.

The Scottish…

Winter Mountaineering in Glen Coe Winter hillwalking and mountaineering adventures

The Mountain Weather Information Service forecast is looking good. Tomorrow we leave for Glen Coe.

Group equipment check: Ice axes, crampons, winter boots, group shelter, emergency blankets, head torches, first aid kit, map and compass, spare rucksacks with waterproof liners,…

Winter Mountaineering on Buachaille Etive Beag, Glen Coe

Its mid December and office party frenzy dominates; booze, turkey, over boiled vegetables and cremated spuds. Fun or just grim? Not for this team who have decided to dump the chaos of office party’s in Edinburgh and instead embrace the frozen wilderness…

Winter Mountaineering on Stob Coire nan Lochan, Glen Coe

6am and its pouring down in East Lothian. It really is grim. There seems a remarkable amount of chattering and laughter as we load the vehicle with equipment for the day. Someone gets out a flask of coffee, someone else a…