As a qualified Summer Mountain Leader and someone who is working towards one day becoming a Winter Mountain Leader, I think carefully about what kit I pack for hiking days in the freezing season.
I’ve spoken to many mountain guides about the seriousness of the winter environment and the importance of getting things right at the planning stage. I've heard it said that during the introduction to winter Mountain Leader training, the instructor may say something along the lines of: “Get it wrong as a summer leader and your clients might miss their train home. Get it wrong as a winter leader and your clients might die.”
