This course is all about climbing. We will either get you started or push your level in crack and slab climbing skills. Your guide will teach you many rope work skills and tricks which are useful for multi pitch climbing in the mountains. You will be ready to go to places such as Yosemite valley after this course!
The Argentiere hut is a great base to stay during the trip. Perched on a rocky cliff above the Argentiere glacier at altitude of 2771m, it offers great views of the surrounding Alpine peaks and rugged glaciers. The hut has been recently renovated and offers comfortable rooms with bunk beds and lounge with views of the majestic walls and summits of Aigiuille Verte, Les Droits, Aiguille de Triolet and Mont Dolent. You can spot little lights of climbers there when you have an early start before the sunrise. Fred and Bea run the hut and are very friendly and welcoming. You will meet lot of personalities from the local climbing scene on this hut.
Approach to the hut is not very long but fairly spectacular. After taking the Grands Montets cable-car, you will descend the steep slopes of the Rognon glacier and cross the Argentiere glacier to climb the short path up a moraine to the hut. You will arrive there about lunchtime and have time to climb on the nearest crag in the afternoon.
This course will take you climbing on some of the most amazing granite multi-pitch routes in the Chamonix valley. The quality of the rock and routes is superb. There are routes of all grades for climbers of all levels with lengths from 100m up to over 1km.
We created this 4 day trip for those who already have a rock climbing experience. You should be familiar with the following skills:
You need to be in a good physical shape, capable of 6 hour climbing days without being too tired the next day.
1420€
Price per person for groups of minimum 2 persons.
| 2017 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start Date | End Date | Spaces | |||
| Aug 05 | Aug 08 | 4 | |||
| Aug 14 | Aug 17 | 4 | |||
| Aug 19 | Aug 22 | 4 | |||
| Sep 02 | Sep 05 | 4 | |||
| Sep 16 | Sep 19 | 4 | |||
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
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.
4 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
3 nights accommodation in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner included.
The cost of any lift access that is required during the course for the itinerary described above.
Any local transport that is required during your course.
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.
Please see the "Equipment" tab to find out what you will need. Anything that you do not already have can be rented here in Chamonix, if there is anything you need then please contact us and we will be happy to organise it for you.
For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your perdoanlised kit list.
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
We strongly recommend that you take our Search and Rescue mountain insurance - we can organise this for you 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.
You will meet your group and your mountain guide in the Chamonix Experience office on the evening before your ice climbing course begins. You will receive all the details about your guide and the meeting in an email a week before start of the course.
The meeting is a great opportunity to ask any questions about the course and to check with your guide that you have the right equipment.
The detailed itinerary will depend on the weather, snow and ice conditions and these can vary very much from week to week. Therefore right now we can give you only a rough outline of what will happen on your course day to day.
We will start early today to take the first lift up to Grands Montets. From there we will descend the steep slopes of the Rognon glacier and cross the flat part of the Argentiere Glacier to reach the tiny path leading to the Argentiere hut. This hike should take about 2,5 - 3 hours, arriving at the right time for a lunch!
Afternoon will be spent to refresh your climbing techniques and rope work on the nearby cliff. Your guide will use this day to determine your climbing level and chose the climbing routes for the rest of the week.
Enjoy the first sunset on the hut, the views are stunning!
You will climb some of the most amazing granite routes in the Chamonix valley. Your guide will chose carefully routes appropriate to your level so that you enjoy the climbing while pushing your limits.
You will return back to Chamonix on day 4 afternoon, at about 17:00h.
Mountaineering boots
Light puffer jacket
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Climbing shoes
Climbing pants
Ice Axe
Harness
Telescopic poles
Screwgate carabiner
60 - 120 cm tape sling
Belay device
Climbing helmet
35 - 45 litres rucksack
Crampons
Sunglasses
Water bottle (1 litre minimum)
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Sleeping bag liner
Washbag and toiletries
