(in association with Alpine Guides Ltd)
DatesSun 20th Aug – Thurs 24th Aug ‘06 (course full)
'07 Dates TBA
Objective
Alpine Guides ‘Introduction to Alpine Mountaineering’ course is designed for ‘UK hill goers seeking bigger challenges’. The course aims to teach you all the necessary skills to return to the Alps as an independent alpine mountaineer in years to come.
Venue
The course is based in Chamonix, utilising the superb lift systems so you spend more time learning and practising skills and less time doing big approaches.
Duration
5 full days.
Prerequisites
You need good general fitness and experience in UK mountains (summer or winter). Some scrambling or rock climbing experience is also desirable if you want to progress onto more technical terrain. Alpine mountaineering requires good levels of fitness & stamina, so you are advised to prepare well in advance with days out in the UK hills, or other regular exercise. Pre acclimatisation for this course is non-essential.
Equipment
All communal safety equipment (ropes etc) is provided by Alpine Guides Ltd. You are expected to come equipped with personal clothing, a rucsac and mountain boots. Alpine Guides Ltd have a loan stock of ice axes, crampons, harnesses and helmets which are prioritised for intro courses that you are welcome to use (subject to availability – please make your requirements known on the booking form). Local equipment hire including boots is also available.
Programme
Subject to weather and conditions.
Day 0 sat. PM meet in Chamonix - discuss plans, sort equipment and overnight in valley.
Day 1 Sun. Acclimatisation climb. Rope skills, rock climbing and moving together - taking in a summit in the Aiguilles Rouges.
Day 2 Mon. Ecole de Glace. Crampon and ice axe skills + glacier travel - taught during the approach to an alpine hut.
Days 3-5 Tues – Thurs. Further climbing days. Ascents of classic climbs in the French or Swiss Alps with 2 nights spent in alpine huts.
During this time you are taught all the skills needed to make successful ascents on snow and ice, rock, ridge climbs etc. in addition to covering crevasse rescue techniques, route choice and planning for alpine routes.
Accommodation
The course is run on a guiding & instruction only basis to allow you maximum flexibility with accommodation options. Alpine Guides Ltd recommended hotel in Chamonix is the Hotel Les Lanchers in Chamonix Les Praz, run by friendly ex-pat Jon Rodgers - who we will happily put you in touch with if you'd like to reserve a room. You are however free to make whatever accommodation arrangements you like. A number of nights are also spent in Alpine huts to maximise climbing time during the week. Your guide will book these as necessary & you simply pay for hut fees direct as you go along (the guides car fuel, hut and uplift expenses are all covered within the course budget).
Travel
Full travel details are provided with your joining instructions. Chamonix is easily reached by flights to Geneva and an airport transfer, both of which may be booked online.
Costs
'06 £525 (guiding and instruction only)
'07 costs TBA
Uplifts, huts + valley accommodation for the course (approx.) £250 (if staying at les Lanchers hotel or (approx.) £200 if staying in a gite.
Consolidation
Staying on in Chamonix after the course to bag some routes or peaks for a few days has been most successful in the past. If you are interested in this please indicate when booking (Please note that this consolidation activity is entirely independent and is not any part of the course programme and therefore not guided). Advice re appropriate goals is available from your guide.