You have no experience in the high mountains or rock climbing. You’re comfortable walking on exposed non - technical trails (not requiring the use of the hands, or “scrambling.”) You’re looking for new challenges in steeper terrain.
Course designed to teach the basic ice climbing and mixed climbing skills as well as the essential safety skills for winter climbing in the mountains. Suitable for those who are active outdoors and wish to discover the exciting world of mountaineering.
You have some prior experience climbing or mountaineering. You know basic techniques (climbing in rock shoes, crampons/ ice axe) and basic maneuvers (belaying, rappelling, basic knots). You can follow grade IV ice and M3 in the high mountains.
You have solid experience in the mountains or ice climbing. You’ve already completed multiple ascents graded French AD / M3 or harder and long, multi-pitch ice climbs. You are self sufficient with the basic equipment and safety techniques of multi pitch alpine and rock climbing (crampons, ice-axe, rock shoes, harness, belaying and rappelling). You are comfortable on various types of terrain - ice, snow, rock, and mixed. You can lead climb up to French 5 on rock/ gym, grade III ice, and alpine routes up to French PD (M3). You can follow up to French 6a-6b on rock, grade V ice, and alpine routes graded French D.
Plan your own climbing trip, advance your safety skills and learn the crucial skills of decision making for safe climbing in the complex environment of the high mountains. This course is the third level of our Winter Mountaineering progressions series.