Advanced tech level |
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6 days of climbing |
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Groups of 4 maximum |
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Summit in 1:1 guiding ratio |
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Available July - September |
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2 nights in huts |
The mount Eiger is a 3970m high mountain in the Bernese Oberland region of the Alps. It is part of the Jungfrau (4158m) - Mönch (4107m) - Eiger mountain ridge formation. While Eiger is not the highest peak of the three, it is the most famous and respected one, particularly in the climbing community. Christian Almer, Peter Bohren and Charles Barrington made the first ascent of the Eiger by the western flank in 1858.
We will climb Eiger via the Mittellegi ridge, first ascended by Fritz Amatter, Samuel Brawand, Yuko Maki and Fritz Steuri in 1921. This magnificent ridge is not as difficult as the north face - it is graded as 5b compulsory - but it will still get your adrenalin going! Due to the exposure and sustained grade, the client to guide ratio in all our courses is 1:1.
You will be well prepared for your expedition by 4 days of training and acclimatisation in the Chamonix valley. You will perfect your crampon and ice axe skills on some of the best climbing routes in the Alps, these 4 days alone will be worth the trip - and then you get to climb the Eiger!
There is no other mountain in the Alps that has inspired so many writers and filmmakers. Books such as the White Spider and Eiger Dreams are fascinating reading for both climbers and non-climbers, while the film The Eiger Sanction is a thrilling action classic.
We allocate 4 days for the preparation and training, during which time we will work with you on your crampon and ice axe skills and help you to build confidence in crampon hiking over steep and exposed terrain. We will take you climbing some of the classic routes in Chamonix to get your rock climbing up to the required level. When the 4 days are over, you will be ready for the Eiger!
To assure a high quality of our guiding and tuition services, we keep the size of the groups small - maximum two clients per guide - which is reflected in the price. However, you will benefit enormously from this small group experience, as it allows for a more interesting itinerary and steeper learning curve.
Day 1 : 3 clients for 1 guide
Day 2 - 4 : 2 clients for 1 guide
Day 5 - 6 : 1 client for 1 guide
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.
Start date | End date | Spaces |
Prices
Prices
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July 11, 2021 | July 16, 2021 |
2
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2,895.00€ | |
July 18, 2021 | July 23, 2021 |
2
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2,895.00€ | |
July 25, 2021 | July 30, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ | |
August 01, 2021 | August 06, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ | |
August 08, 2021 | August 13, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ | |
August 15, 2021 | August 20, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ | |
August 22, 2021 | August 27, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ | |
August 29, 2021 | September 03, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ | |
September 05, 2021 | September 10, 2021 |
2
|
2,895.00€ |
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 |
We start the Eiger climbing course with rock climbing at one of the great multi-pitch areas in Chamonix to refresh our rope work skills. We will choose nice easy itineraries that will give us the opportunity to check your level and work on improving your climbing and rope skills. Les Aiguilles Rouges or Plan des Aiguilles offer some great climbing and scrambling terrain to practice on.
Today we will do an ice axe, crampons and rope skills refreshment on the glacier at Mer de Glace. Your mountain guide will also teach you basic crevasse rescue skills which are essential for safe travel on glaciers. You will then hike up to the Couvercle hut, where you will spend the night. Sleeping at altitude is an excellent way to acclimatise.
Today is an early start to climb the Aiguille du Moine at 3412m via the normal route, on a south face over mixed terrain of rock and ice. Aiguille du Moine is a magnificent mountain; you'll have a great climb and a long day! You will descend back to Chamonix after the climb and your guide will drop you back at your accommodation.
Today we tackle the normal route on the Aiguille du Peigne; it is 500m long, but a relatively easy and fast climb (4b max). The Aiguille du Peigne will give you a good idea of what to expect on the Eiger climb: a quick simul-climb up and down the mountain, while being protected by your guide on a ‘short rope’.
Your 4 days of training are completed and you're ready to climb the Eiger! With your guide, you will drive over to Grindelwald where you will hike up to the Mittellegihütte (3355m). The hike takes around 2.5 hours over rocky and glaciated terrain up to the hut, where you will spend the night. Get a good night's sleep, as tomorrow we begin our ascent of the Eiger!
Today is the big day! We usually do our ascents via the Mittellegi ridge which is the most spectacular. The climb is 615m over a rock and mixed terrain of up to 5b. If the conditions are not good for the ridge, we will choose another itinerary, such as the classic South Ridge (AD or III). These itineraries are not technically very difficult, but they involve a full day of scrambling over tricky terrain where you have to stay well focused. After the descent we will travel back to Chamonix, where the course will finish over a well-deserved glass of beer.
The best preparation for this course is regular running, hiking, swimming and biking with focus on endurance, ideally 4-5 times per week. Keep your rock climbing level up with regular indoor or outdoor climbing sessions, you should be confident and quick climbing routes up to French grade 5b.
Mountaineering boots
Warm hat
Thermal underwear
Fleece or woollen layers
Light puffer jacket
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Warm gloves
Thin gloves
Gaiters
Sun hat
Climbing pants
Approach shoes
Ice Axe
Climbing harness
Telescopic poles
3 x Screwgate carabiner
Belay device
Climbing helmet
Crampons
25-30 litres rucksack
Lanyard
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
Sleeping bag liner
Our course includes 6 days of guiding and instruction by experienced UIAGM qualified mountain guide. All our guides have been chosen for their lovely personality and high standard of skills.
Group transport to Grindelwald.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To keep the itinerary as flexible as possible, we have excluded accommodation from the course package. Your guide will decide closer to the time which mountain huts you will stay at and for how many nights. You should calculate an extra cost of around 280€ for the huts.
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.
Day 1 .......... 3 clients for 1 guide
Days 2 - 4 .... 2 clients for 1 guide
Days 5 - 6 .... 1 client for 1 guide
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.
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 which use new and comfortable vehicles and which 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.