
Mountaineering

Mountaineering
Mountaineering courses in Chamonix
Learn the essential mountaineering skills with Chamonix Experience mountain guides Our beginner courses will teach you the important basic rock climbing skills and guide you through your first steps in alpine climbing. You’ll learn essential safety skills, become confident in the use of equipment such as harnesses and belays, develop your knowledge of ropework and gain a love of heights! Our advanced courses will take you climbing some of the amazing big routes around the Mont Blanc Massif and beyond. You’ll discover exceptional long granite routes and challenging multi-pitches that will strengthen your skills and push your climbing ability to the next level. For those who simply want to enjoy climbing great routes alongside their personal UIAGM mountain guide, Chamonix Experience has some of the best guides in the Alps to accompany you!
Beginner
You have no (or limited) mountaineering experience but you feel ok scrambling up and down when hiking. You’re confident walking on exposed non-technical terrains. You’re physically fit and happy with vertical exposure. A previous experience in climbing could be a plus but not required. You should be able to engage in an activity for the day ( 5-6 hours of activity).
Intermediate
You have previous mountaineering experience as a follower, you have already used crampons and an ice axe in your rock climbing or ice climbing experiences. You’re able to follow French grade 5 on rock (US 5.8+), grade 4 on ice, and up to M3 or French AD+ in the mountains. Appropriate physical fitness is needed – the ability to move in the mountains for 6-8 hours at a regular, sustained pace without excessive suffering, over the week’s duration.
Expert
You complete the learning outcomes of our Alpine climbing Level 2 course and you have a solid experience in the mountains. You should be autonomous on each type of Alpine terrain, rock, snow, mixed routes. You should be able to follow up to French level 5 in mountain boots, French 6b (5.10+) in rock shoes, and mixed/ alpine French grade D (M4+). The prerequisite physical condition allows movement in the high mountains for 8-10 hours at a continuous pace for consecutive days,