Alpine climbing course in Chamonix – Level 1

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!

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. It 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:

• Your full name
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Your destination address
• Your flight details (date, time and flight number)

SHARED TRANSFERS:

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:

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.