‘Winter Skills: Essential Walking and Climbing Techniques’ by Andy Cunningham and Allen Fyffe
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"Winter Skills: Essential Walking and Climbing Techniques" by Andy Cunningham and Allen Fyffe is a comprehensive guide designed to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge and techniques for safe and effective movement in winter mountain environments. As the official handbook for Mountain Training’s winter leadership qualifications, it is an invaluable resource for both beginners and experienced mountaineers.
The book is divided into six key sections, beginning with an exploration of the winter environment, helping readers understand the unique challenges posed by snow, ice, and extreme weather. It then moves on to basic winter skills, covering essential techniques such as navigation in snowy conditions, the correct use of ice axes and crampons, and efficient movement strategies on different types of terrain. Another crucial area is snow and avalanche awareness, which provides insights into snow structure, avalanche formation, and key safety protocols to reduce risk.
For those tackling more challenging routes, the book offers guidance on maintaining security on steep ground, explaining techniques for ascending and descending safely. It also covers winter climbing, detailing the use of specialist equipment, rope work, and advanced movement strategies for icy and mixed conditions. Additionally, a section on winter incidents discusses potential emergencies, providing advice on accident response, self-rescue, and group management in hazardous situations.
It has been updated to reflect modern best practices, particularly in snow science, avalanche safety, and contemporary climbing techniques, ensuring that the guidance remains relevant to today's equipment and methodologies. The book is designed for easy reference, featuring clear illustrations, striking photography, and a well-structured layout to make complex concepts more accessible.
It is particularly useful for those working towards qualifications such as the Winter Mountain Leader or Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor, as it emphasises not only technical skills but also leadership and group safety in extreme conditions.
The authors, Andy Cunningham and Allen Fyffe, bring decades of experience to the subject, combining their expertise in guiding and instructing to deliver a practical and authoritative resource.
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