Beginner tech level |
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5 days course |
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Groups of 6 maximum |
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Available June - October |
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Guide ratio 1:2 on the last 3 days |
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1 night in a mountain hut |
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6 - 7 hours per day |
If you have always dreamed of climbing mountains and you don't know where to start, this course is specially designed for you. Our Alpine climbing course is challenging and our professional UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guides are there to teach you all the techniques you will need to tackle different types of mountain terrain. By the end of the week you will be familiar with how to safely travel through glaciers, rocky ridges, rock faces and steep snow slopes.
The course is ideal for beginners but if you already have some experience then that's great, you will build on what you already know and develop your existing skills. Our guides will adjust the pace and level of the course to suit the participants. This course is a genuine mixture of learning new skills and enjoying great alpine climbs in Chamonix, the capital of Alpinism.
The course is a weeklong journey into the vertical mountain world. The objective is to learn the basics of alpine climbing in the field. There are three essential components – rock, ice, and mixed (snow/ice/rock). An ability to employ the skills learned in these domains allows one to climb the majority of the Alpine summits by their easier or “normal” routes. Welcome to a new world!
The journey starts with a day on the rocks. The fundamentals of rope work – belaying, rappelling, use of anchors, and some basic climbing principles are taught on one of the many cliffs in the Chamonix area. These principles can then be applied throughout the week (and beyond!), as your understanding of the concepts will accompany you in your new career as an alpinist.
Next – Ice! The use of the ice axe and crampons are essential skill sets of a mountaineer. Covered this day – Correct/ Appropriate use of different axe and crampon techniques, using ice screws, and building a belay in the ice. The skills learned here, with the skills from the previous day allow us to move into the high mountain domain and climb mixed routes.
The course moves to the high mountains for some experience with mixed and the basics of safe glacier travel. Orientation fundamentals are taught, and route planning. On the last 3 days of the course the client to guide ratio is 1 guide to 2 clients. The end of the week provides more intimate instruction, tailored to the client. A night in a high mountain hut is included in the course. This allows participants to live the dream they’ve been practicing for, and spend a long day in the mountains climbing one of Chamonix’s summits.
Start date | End date | Spaces |
Prices
Prices
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May 03, 2021 | May 07, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
May 10, 2021 | May 14, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
May 17, 2021 | May 21, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
May 24, 2021 | May 28, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
May 31, 2021 | June 04, 2021 |
G
|
1,250.00€ | |
June 07, 2021 | June 11, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
June 14, 2021 | June 18, 2021 |
G
|
1,250.00€ | |
June 21, 2021 | June 25, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
June 28, 2021 | July 02, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
July 05, 2021 | July 09, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
July 12, 2021 | July 16, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
July 19, 2021 | July 23, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
July 26, 2021 | July 30, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
August 02, 2021 | August 06, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
August 09, 2021 | August 13, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
August 16, 2021 | August 20, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
August 23, 2021 | August 27, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
August 30, 2021 | September 03, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
September 06, 2021 | September 10, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
September 13, 2021 | September 17, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
September 20, 2021 | September 24, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
September 27, 2021 | October 01, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
October 04, 2021 | October 08, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
October 11, 2021 | October 15, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
October 18, 2021 | October 22, 2021 |
2
|
1,250.00€ | |
October 25, 2021 | October 29, 2021 |
G
|
1,250.00€ |
A
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Spaces available | |
L
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Limited Availability | |
F
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Fully Booked | |
G
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Guaranteed | |
2
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Two More to Guarantee |
This itinerary is an example of what could be done with good weather and good conditions. It may be changed by your guide at any point to suit conditions and the ability of the group.
You should arrive in Chamonix the day before the first full day of your course. The course starts with an evening meeting between the course participants and the guide at our office. Your guide will go though the plan for the week and answer any questions you have.
First day on the rocks in the Chamonix area. The goal is to familiarize with the gear while learning basic rope and rock skills - belaying, rappelling, and general climbing technique.
Day two takes the group onto the glacier. Correct use of the ice axe and crampons, ice screws plus a review of the skills from day one. Chamonix has some of the best access to calculated terrain, and provides the perfect terrain for practicing.
An easy mixed route in the mountains. The addition of another guide(s) allows us to envision more advanced objectives and focus on your progression. The culmination of the previous day’s techniques allows us to move toward the application stage. Climbing longer routes, moving together with a short rope, efficiency, safety, and route finding are skills practiced on this day. A typical example: Traverse of the Crochus Arete in the Aguilles Rouges, good climbing and great views!
The week finishes with two consecutive days in the high mountains and a night in a mountain hut. The goal is to apply the week’s experience into two high altitude summits. Snow and high alpine rock are on the agenda for the first day, with a traverse of the Aiguilles Marbrées. Great views and high exposure make a very complete route, and a short approach doesn’t hurt. Orientation, route finding, and glacier travel proficiency are all looked at it. A night in the Torino hut is a good introduction to a high mountain refuge, and allows for an early start to the next day’s adventure.
The Tour Ronde! A high altitude summit using all of the week’s new skills- reaching the summit Madonna is always satisfying, and is the perfect culmination to a week of climbing. An early start gets the team onto the glacier, and a beautiful sunrise just after breakfast is an unforgettable experience. Crampons on, ice axes at the ready, and the ascent begins- finishing at 3792 meters with 360° view of the Mt. Blanc range- a great place to pick out a goal for next time! Descent to the Skyway lift for a quick espresso and a debriefing, then a van through to Chamonix- the week has finished but your career as an alpinist is just beginning!
This is a hands on week and you’ll be learning as you go; topics covered will include but are not limited to:
You will also learn about route planning, using maps and compasses, analysing weather forecasts to plan trips, planning and carrying out overnight trips, and more. For the last two days of the course you will be joined by a second guide, this will enable you to climb some more demanding routes.
Participation in this course does not require prior experience. Nevertheless, it is important to be in good physical condition. Course participants should be able to walk for 5 hours (not including break times, etc.) at a regular, sustained pace, without difficulty. Your appreciation of the alpine environment and your ability to learn are linked to your fitness. If you’d like additonal advice on how to best prepare for the course, please contact us. We’ll be happy to give you some training guidelines.
Mountaineering boots
Warm hat
Thermal underwear
Fleece or woollen layers
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Warm gloves
Thin gloves
Gaiters
Sun hat
Climbing shoes
Light puffer jacket
Climbing pants
Ice Axe
Climbing helmet
Crampons
3 x Screwgate carabiner
Belay device
Climbing harness
Lanyard
25-30 litres rucksack
60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik
Sunglasses
Water bottle - Ideally two 1L bottles
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Lightweight sleeping bag - summer season
Face mask
Lightweight footwear to wear in mountain huts
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
1 night in a mountain hut with breakfast and dinner included.
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Any local transport that is required during your course.
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Please see the "Equipment" tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.
The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.
We will advise you on which lift passes you will need prior to your trip. If lift passes are required we can preorder them for you on request.
Day 1 ... 1:6
Day 2 ... 1:6
Day 3 ... 1:2
Day 4 ... 1:2
Day 5 ... 1:2
Do not hesitate to contact us if our existing course dates are not convenient for you. We will be happy to customise a set of dates according to your holiday plans.
All Chamex mountain guides are fully qualified, highly experienced and passionate about what they do. Everyone who works as part of the Chamex team has been thoroughly vetting and is trusted by us to give our clients the best experience possible - you are in safe hands! If you would like to know more then you can meet the Chamex team here.
We are always happy to organise private guiding, tailored to the needs of any sized group. We have lots of experience in organising corporate events, specialist courses and group trips for all kinds of people no matter what your age or experience. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
Chamonix is one of the easiest alpine resorts to get to, being just over an hour's drive from Geneva international airport. Lyon, Turin and Milan airports are also all within a few hours drive. The best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix is by transfer bus, either shared with other passengers or private. You will be met in the arrivals lounge by your driver and dropped at your accommodation in Chamonix; there is no extra charge for your luggage or equipment. We work only with the most reliable transfer companies in the valley and are happy to organise your journey for you, please contact us for prices and booking.
The high alpine huts are one of the big attractions to mountaineering or trekking in the Alps. They allow us the time to enjoy the mountains with only light packs and without having to worry about meals or finding somewhere to sleep! Most huts have only very basic facilities. Sleeping arrangements are in mixed sex dormitory-style rooms with bunks; there can be up to 20 people in one room.
Washing facilities are limited and generally there is no running water in any of the huts although this may vary in some huts. There are basins in which you can use bottled water to wash and clean your teeth, but they are NOT generally in private cubicles and are mixed sex. Toilets are generally septic-tank type (so non-flushing) and again mixed sex. You need to be prepared for simple living in the huts and appreciate they are located at high altitude and in inhospitable terrain.
The guardian and his/her team serve a 3-course evening meal and breakfast - food is usually nourishing and filling. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are also available. All food and drink in the huts is delivered by helicopter and consequently prices will be high e.g. between 5 -10€ or 10CHF for a 1.5litre bottle of still water.
There are a few basic hut ‘rules’ that you need to follow so that you (and your fellow climbers) have a pleasant stay:
1) On arriving at the hut you must take off your boots and leave these together with your ice axe, crampons in the foyer. Be sure to store these carefully as the hut is likely to get very busy and you’ll need to find all your kit in the morning rush!
2) House slippers are provided and must be worn in the hut
3) Your guide will register you with the guardian and will assign you your bunk
4) Follow the instructions of your guide and keep requests to the guardian and his team to a minimum – they are usually very busy sorting out groups, cooking meals, keeping the hut clean
5) In the morning your guide will often want to leave early – be sure to have all your kit ready to go the night before. Be organized and everything will be much easier!
6) It is recommended to bring earplugs for the nights – but make sure that you wake up on time!
Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don't already have you can find it here.
We highly recommend that you take out specific insurance for mountain activities. We can organise this at a cost of 8€ per day for EU citizens and 12€ per day for non-EU citizens. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.
If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies, using new and comfortable vehicles , who have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it's a door-to-door service, so you won't be lugging any bags very far. 250€ per car for one-way and 500€ per car for a return trip.