Alpine Climbing
Alpine Climbing course with a 4000m summit
Chamonix Experience Alpine Climbing course is designed to teach you the basic skills of mountaineering. It is the ideal introduction whether your goal is to attempt simpler Alpine peaks under your own steam, to join a guided group to climb Mont Blanc or Matterhorn, or if you are aiming for the great 8000m peaks of the Himalayas.
This climbing course is the ideal introduction for you who would like to become more independent in the mountains and develop your skills in preparation for future mountain adventures. It will set you on the right track to acquiring the knowledge to venture out into the mountains and be aware, safe and well prepared.
Whether you are a complete novice or you have already done some climbing, you will benefit from doing this course. The more experienced climbers will get a refresher and then move straight on to leading and taking more responsibility whilst the novice climber will start by following until s/he feels ready to move forward, each one at his/her own pace.
Accommodation in fully catered comfortable chalet
During the Alpine Climbing course you will be staying at the Yeti Lodge, a comfortable chalet located in the charming village of Argentière, close to our office and sport shop for your convenience.
The chalet has a large sunny terrace with a superb view of Mont Blanc. The bright and airy rooms are twin or triple bedded, so you should be prepared to share with one or two course participants. All meals (breakfast, lunch packs, afternoon tea and three-course dinner) are included and prepared by our hosts, so you can relax and fully enjoy the course.
For more information about the Yeti lodge look under Accommodation.
The Course
This 6 day Alpine Climbing course is run by a fully qualified IFMGA alpine guide. It will cover the basics needed to enable you to venture out on less technical alpine peaks and rock climbs. Throughout the course you will learn mountaineering skills for safe travel on snow and glacial terrain including: crampon and ice axe techniques, glacier travel and crevasse rescue, and basic navigation. To tackle rock climbs and rocky ridges you will learn fixed belay and alpine style running belay techniques.
The emphasis of the course is to learn “in situ“, undertaking alpine climbs throughout and we will tackle some of the famous routes in the Mont Blanc massif. You will also get the chance to stay in a high mountain refuge for one or two of the nights. To finish off the week we will climb Mont Blanc du Tacul or another one of the many 4000m peaks in the Chamonix area.
This course is more focused on teaching you general mountaineering skills than the Mont Blanc course.
Course Details
Duration: 6 Days
You should plan to arrive Sunday before course start date and depart Sunday after course finish date. Accommodation and meals included.
2009 Dates:
June 15 - 20
June 22 - 27
July 06 - 11
August 31 - 05 September
September 07 - 12
Group Size: 2-4
Ratio: 1:4 day 1-4 and 1:2 day 5-6
Included: Guide fee, group equipment, 5 nights half board chalet accommodation on a twin or triple share basis at the Yeti Lodge, lunch packs, lifts, 2 refuge nights with dinner and breakfast, local transport
Not included: Personal equipment, mountain rescue insurance, airport transfers
Equipment: See Equipment List or contact our office
Price: 1,895€ per person
For whom: Hill walkers, climbers and mountaineers with a good level of fitness, who would like to progress in the alpine environment. No previous mountaineering experience necessary.We strongly recommend doing this course before the Mont Blanc or Matterhorn course or climbing other Alpine peaks.
Mont Blanc Extension
You can add the 3 day climb Mont Blanc programme as an extension to the Alpine Climbing course. Having spent 6 days in the mountains you will be acclimatised and well in tune with the mountain environment. We offer a 5% discount if booked at the same time.
