Ice axes need to be booked on to Eurostar trains in advance. Photo: Herbert Ortner

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland has issued guidance for mountaineers wishing to take ice axes on Eurostar trains.

The train company’s policy forbids potentially dangerous items from its passenger cabins – including camping tools, butane gas canisters and ice axes. But the MCofS says ice axes can be carried on the service, providing they are checked in beforehand to Eurostar’s luggage department.

The service costs £15 per bag each way, so the advice from the council is to share the cost with a climbing companion.

The MCofS advice is: “All ice tools should be packed into a single bag and taken to the registered luggage department – known as Euro Despatch – when checking in for a Eurostar train.

“To ensure that your bag travels on the same train as yourself you should check in your bag of ice tools a minimum of one hour before departure. The more time you allow for checking in your bag the more likely you are to have a smooth transfer.  Better to allow two hours rather than one.”

The rules are meant to prevent ‘any article which is inherently dangerous or which could be used to commit an act of violence or threat’ to be carried in the passenger areas.

The MCofS spoke to Eurostar for clarification on the procedure, after an approach from a member.

MCofS membership development officer Mike Dales said: “Many mountaineers want to use Eurostar to travel to the Alps and other European destinations, but this clause in Eurostar’s policy was causing a great deal of confusion.

“The response we have had from Eurostar has been very helpful and the MCofS is delighted to be able to pass on this advice to mountaineers. I am sure a great many mountaineers will build in the extra time to their journey and be able to take their ice tools with them when they travel to the mountains of Europe.”

The Euro Despatch number in London is 020 7843 7752. Mike Dales can be contacted on 01738 493942.