Mountain Course & Activity Locations

Sron Na Lairig , Glen Coe, Western Highlands

Sron Na Lairig is a 300 metre long, 3 star grade II Winter mountaineering route located to the south west of Glen Coe, at the head of the Lairig Eilde Valley.

Being a ridge makes it safe from avalanches, it is also north east facing and protected to a degree from south easterlies, by the NE/SW ridge on to which it joins that leads to the summit of nearby Munro - Stob Coire Sgreamhach 1072m. 

A good start is advisable for this day, so we meet at the car park no later than 8 am and start the 3 mile/4 kilometre walk in to the route. It generally takes an hour & a half to get to the foot of Sron Na Lairig, but it can take longer depending on snow conditions.

Once at the foot of the ridge, we first get out our climbing equipment - putting on helmets, harnesses and crampons and arranging the climbing equipment ready to tackle what lies ahead.

We will ascend the lower buttress having discussed an appropriate route to travel through what we can see above. During this initial phase of the ascent, the emphasis will be on looking at the snow pack, discuss the various snow belays we can use in a winter mountaineering setting and also looking at the various rock anchors and direct belay methods as and where we can. We will also focus on the use of the climbing rope for moving together and belaying. Your instructor will coach you in these various techniques throughout your entire journey up this ridge,

Having ascended via the first buttress of Sron Na Lairig, a second buttress is also climbed before the ridge descends slightly; and then narrows to an airy crest. At the end of this crest, the ridge joins the shoulder running down from Stob Coire Sgreamhach to point 778m. Here, there is often a cornice to cut through and an opportunity to use a deadman for a direct belay to bring up your climbing partners.

Once we have reached the shoulder above Sron Na Lairig we will firstly pack up all of the climbing equipment but leave helmets, harnesses and crampons on and keep our walking axes out for the descent south east towards point 778.

Just before reaching that subsidiary summit, we turn left down an easy gully to descend back in to the head of the Lairig Eilde Valley where we will most likely remove our harnesses before walking back out to the car park in Glen Coe.

Frequently asked questions about our Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Days.

Where do we meet for our Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Days? Answer Parking for the walk in to Sron Na Lairig is located on the A82 road 2.3 miles/3.7km west of Altnafead and 0.3 miles/0.5km east of The Meeting of Three Waters car parking area. The grid reference is 18775625.

What time do we start our day? Answer - no later than 8 am. The Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Days are long days and it can take up to eight hours to walk in, complete the route; and get back to the car park. 

Do I need any previous experience to attempt a Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Day? Answer Yes, you must have already attended a two day Winter Skills Course either with Lakes Outdoor Experience or another winter course provider. You should also have experience of summer scrambling to at least grade 2 and basic ropework skills are desirable although not essential as these can be learnt during the day.

What equipment should I have in order to be able to undertake a Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Day successfully and safely? Answer - you each need a full complement of personal winter clothing - Goretex or similar hardshell jacket and salopettes, hat, gloves, winter gauntlets, ski googles, spare warm layers, lunch and a flask of hot drink and a headtorch with spare batteries. Your winter boots will be B2 or B3 rated and you must have walking crampons, that have previously been fitted to your boots before we meet on the day. You will also need a walking axe and ski poles are useful for the walk in to the route and for the descent back to the valley floor and walk back to the car park.

All of this equipment must be packed into rucksacks of at least 45 litres capacity. We will provide harnesses, helmets and all other technical equipment required to facilitate your Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Day and we will meet you the evening before your traverse day to ensure that you are properly prepared and ready to go.

How fit should I be in order to successfully complete the Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Day? Answer You need a good level of mountain fitness from regular walking in the mountains and should already have plenty of previous experience walking in mountainous areas of the uk.

How much does it cost per person to undertake a Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Day with Lakes Outdoor Experience? Answer The fee to do this with us is a minimum fee of £300.00 for 1 or 2 persons making the fee £150.00 each or £405.00 for 3 persons making it £135.00 per person. The ratio of clients to an instructor is a maximum of 3:1 on all of our technical mountaineering and climbing courses.

To book your Sron Na Lairig Winter Mountaineering Day - contact us here.

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