Although the weather didn't look too promising on Sunday - mild and overcast I had booked to do a day course on winter navigation with the Nevis Hill Walking Club and local guide, Mike Pescod. Starting out in Glen Nevis we went up into Coire Riabhach and then onto Mullach nan Coirean. Because of the mild weather much of the snow had gone, but Mike cleverly substituted rolling heather covered hillside. He soon had us navigating using only contours and pacing and we began to surprise ourselves with the accuracy. We moved onto boxing out and dog-legging round hazards(such as cornices). A really informative day and Inow feel much more confident about getting myself out of tricky situations, such as when it's blowing hoolie and there is limited visibility.

I'd thoroughly recommend Mike's courses - him and his partner Donald are running courses at cost over the Fort William Mountain Festival - go to http://www.mountainfestival.co.uk/ and look up workshops to find out more.