The stunning terrain of the Scottish Highlands can be enjoyed year-round but with a changeable climate and challenging conditions it’s very important to be prepared, especially in winter.

An inclement climate sweeps over our craggy country producing micro climates which can greatly affect the kind of conditions which can be found from week to week. It’s common to see snow topping our higher hills in the summer months, while in winter it’s typical that the weather and conditions underfoot can change quickly, making it important for walkers and climbers to be able to adapt quickly to stay stable.

To solve this problem on snow and ice, climbers have been using crampons (lightweight metal frames which are strapped onto the base of the boot) for over a century now. With 12 protruding spikes, the crampons spread the weight of the walked over a larger area, cutting into the snow pack to improve the grip.

Lightweight, hardwearing and easy to pack, crampons can be used for low level walking at the snowline but can also be used for more extreme vertical ice climbing, although these are more specialised.

We spoke to Mike Pescod on Aonach Mor (4,006 feet) at the Nevis Range near Fort William for some advice on the best way to use crampons. As a British Mountain Guide he is affiliated to the International Federation of Mountain Guides which is the highest qualification for mountaineering in the world.