In reply to Dave the Rave:
What if those extra kilos save you a few hours of slugging through deep snow and possible exhaustion and benightment or worse?
that is why I have asked, in this sort of things you have to balance risk, advantages, weight...if you pack to answer all the "what if" your backpack won't be enough to contain half of it, so...... in your opinion, is it worth to take snow shoes or not?
As I don't know the area and prevailing conditions too well, I will consider all opinions and then make a decision (of course no one can predict conditions, but that is part of the game)
With regards to the course, it's an option. I have done a couple of winter skills courses and a bit of winter climbing. Good learning, probably just enough to cope with winter hiking. I now feel that I need a bit of a challenge so, joining a course won't cut it.
I am aware that I am pushing the boat out but that is exactly the point. I am conscious of my limits and have ventured a few times and for longer periods of time in hostile environments ( not in the cold: paddling in the Amazonas for 72 days, 3500 Km., off road biking in Sumatra for 28 days,700 km, that sort of thing). I have now much less time but I crave a bit of hardship and wilderness which I think I can find in the Cairngorms, alone, in winter
Post edited at 19:21