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“Ever since I started going out climbing and mountaineering in Scottish winters, I've been amazed at how much I enjoy being out in such a wild and seemingly hostile environment. It's always a complete adventure getting to the top of a mountain or climb in winter, and back down again!” Hannah Burrows-Smith Winter mountains are rewarding: breathtaking views, the beautiful freshness of the world around, the effort taken to get there, the raw elements, and of course, the childlike delight of snow, its shapes, sounds, textures and ever evolving character. Many are nervous and they’re right to be: despite its beauty, winter brings strangely coded avalanche forecasts, alarming news bulletins and so many unknowns. Winter requires a range of skills that the summer walker does not yet have. These skills include stopping yourself with your ice axe should you take a slip on an icy slope, using crampons, navigating in white-out conditions and assessing the snow for avalanche danger. Navigation errors are what trigger the majority of mountain rescues in the UK. The importance of competent navigation should not be underestimated and we can all benefit from learning some new skills, or honing the old ones. A simple, one day course will go a long way to building your skills and confidence. The earlier you learn these skills the better. Our clinics will boost your confidence in your own abilities and inspire you to go on adventures you’ve always wanted and introduce you to other like-minded women.We specialise in directly addressing ‘issues’ which affect your adventures and even inhibits you from taking them on. Almost all of us have some issue or other. There are numerous examples: so many are put off by winter because they think they won’t be able to keep warm; that the risks are beyond their comfort zone or that climbing requires huge muscles. We’ve changed so many people’s perceptions of themselves & adventures that are appealing but on the fringes of their comfort zone. Social Meet, 11th-14th January 2008 £52 for 3 nights at one of the Badaguish Lodges £38 for one day, winter navigation clinic £38 for one day, learn to use axes & crampons on mixed ground clinic 
Many women contact us because they want to network with other women who have a passion for the mountains, and these Meets are a chance to do just that. In the daytime we make the most of the conditions & weather (and sometimes that does include cafes, indoor walls & good company in our humble opinion!). These are not guided weekends, although this time we do have some clinics going on during the weekend that you can book on to. In the evenings we cook together, try out the local pub & chat. If you’d like to come to this Meet please send us an email telling us where you’re coming from and if you’re interested in being involved in lift sharing. We also need your mobile number. We then circulate all details of the event, the women coming along and lift sharing details. Want to read more? Norway Ice Fest, 18-25th January, 2-9th February, 2-9th March 2008 £840: accommodation, airport transfer, group equipment & instruction / coaching 
Rjukan has become the ice climbing destination for Britons, and for good reason: it's the perfect venue for ice climbers for it's beautiful climbs, range of technical difficulty, and walk ins that barely stretch your calves!We are hugely enthusiastic about these clinics, as they allow us to cover so much in one week. Norway's ice falls are brilliant for getting to grips with winter climbing, and for pushing your technical ability. Want to read more? We've put a load of the useful info together. We also do trips for those wanting to go as a big group, or just do a few days with our expertise and then to go off and do your own thing. Wonderous Winter Seminar! see table at bottom of this page 
This is a bit of a trick, because although the Seminar is how Chicks Unleashed began we've decided not to run one this year. We have the social aspect & 'giving something back' through our Social Meet; while lots of women are booking up clinincs & adventures with us all by themselves, or with a pal or two. If you'd like to join us you can view our online calendar to see if any of the courses suit your dates or just email Rosie directly with the skills you'd like to learn & practise, where you'd like to go, or that you just want to come along with us sometime. Winter Lectures £6.50 to £9.50 
Fancy a night in? Rosie Goolden, founder of Chicks Unleashed, is giving a series of lectures for Super7 and the Mountaineering Council of Ireland this winter. Times, booking & directions are given at their websites, linked below.These talks cover a beautiful first ascent on Mariposa in the Peruvian Andes and a recent epical expedition to virgin territory in arctic Greenland with a group of entrepid Chicks Unleashed women. These stories include one international rescue, a pack of donkeys, Bruce Willis, one polar bear, a marriage and beautiful images. 10th January, London, read more 17th January, Glasgow, read more 12th February, Belfast, read more 13th February, Cork, read more 14th February, Killarney, read more
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