The Polar Dogs Antarctica Expedition

Winter mountain skills, Cairngorms, Scotland

In March 2023, Erica undertook a five-day winter mountain skills course in the Cairngorms, Scotland, with Cairngorm Adventure Guides. The course covered movement on snow and ice, including cramponing, step cutting and using an ice axe to climb and descend, self-arrests, winter navigation, planning and preparation, snow pack analysis and avalanche avoidance, emergency procedures, and understanding the winter environment.

Erica traversing a steep snow slope with ice axe and poles on a winter mountain skills course in Scotland
Erica kneeling in the snow with an ice axe during winter mountain skills training in the Scottish mountains
Kicking steps up a snow slope on a winter mountain skills course in the Scottish mountains
Erica in a down jacket below a snow-covered Scottish summit during winter mountain skills training
Erica Stanford on a snowy Scottish summit — winter mountain skills training, part of her polar expedition training
Winter mountain skills training on a snow-covered ridge in Scotland
Ice axe and crampon training on a steep snow slope during polar expedition training, as part of a winter mountain skills course
A polar explorer in a blue expedition jacket on a snowy Scottish mountain during winter training, as part of a winter mountain skills course
A polar explorer in a down jacket hood in cloud and snow during winter training, as part of a winter mountain skills course
A polar explorer wearing a buff and beanie against the cold on a winter training day, as part of a winter mountain skills course

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