Ice climbing progression course in “Les Ecrins”
LONG ICE AND MIXED CLIMBS
WILD VALLEYS
ICE PERFORMANCE
PERFECT YOUR ICE SKILLS ON WORLD CLASS ICE-FALLS IN “LES ECRINS”
This course is made for climbers who want to live the full experience of climbing serious and long ice falls – mixed or pure ice.
Why is the “Ecrins” region such a haven for ice climbing? Because it has so many deep valleys of all orientations and altitude, filled with gushing waterfalls in the summer. A page of Ice climbing history has been written there in Fressinieres’s ultra famous Gramussat wall, 300m of steep ice streaks, from grade 5 to 7! And so many other valleys : Ceillac, Crevoux, les Orres, Fressinières, Le Fournel, La Grave, Val d’escrins…and many more!
5 days with a passionate IFMGA mountain guide to teach you about managing risk, assessing danger, climbing efficiently, how to get out of sticky situations…and having a blast! Your forearms should be sore by the end of the week.
The first day will be a refresher on a single pitch crag. We’ll work on ice and rock technique and rope maneuvers. The next four days of the course will be spent climbing the plethora of massive ice falls that make the region so great for ice climbing.
A cozy hotel close to the little town of L’argentiere , in the heart of the ice climbing region, will be your home for the 5 days of the course.
From: 2690 €
Intermediate
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Fitness level 4/5
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Guiding ratio 1:2 last 4 days
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5 days of climbing
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5 nights accommodation
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 30 December 2024
|
Friday 3 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 January 2025
|
Friday 10 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Dates
Start date | End date | Space | Price | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 30 December 2024
|
Friday 3 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 6 January 2025
|
Friday 10 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 13 January 2025
|
Friday 17 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 20 January 2025
|
Friday 24 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 27 January 2025
|
Friday 31 January 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 3 February 2025
|
Friday 7 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 10 February 2025
|
Friday 14 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Monday 17 February 2025
|
Friday 21 February 2025
|
Two more to guarantee
|
2690 €
| Make enquiry |
Itinerary
Arrival day
Meeting in Briancon or l’Argentiere. There he will brief you for the week’s plan, conditions and check your equipment. A good night’s rest in your warm hotel and you’ll be ready for your first day!
Day 1
Today it will be a 1 to 4 guiding ratio. The guide will pick you up at the hotel. The valley of Cervieres offers fun ice and mixed climbs for our first day together. A quick revision of what you know and we’ll be on to learning new skills: Leading, reading the ice, advanced ice and dry tooling techniques, everything you’ll need for the next 4 days.
Back to the hotel for a warm shower and a deserved rest!
Day 2
The big climbs start today! The Fournel Valley will be our destination with its many long grade 4 and 5 climbs. Today we will also work on risk assessment and avalanche safety as these are key points in ice climbing safely.
Day 3
La Grave is a mythical place, at the foot of the legendary “Meije”. Around the village there are many high altitude ice climbs from grade 4 to grade 6. These great classics will provide high quality ice for you to sink you ice tools in. Back to the hotel for a warm meal!
Day 4
Time to go to the valley where the ice legends are born. The famous valley of Fressinieres and it’s giant ice falls! Here the climbs are up to 300m long and the grades…well let’s just say the best ice climbers in the world have found challenges here, but don’t worry, there are climbs fit for you too. A great place to try out some mixed routes too.
Day 5
Unfortunately our last day. Although you will be sad your forearms will be glad! If there is a valley you’ve particularly enjoyed we can go back for another climb, if not, les Orres will be perfect with it’s long ice streaks. Hopefully by then you will have mastered advanced ice and dry tooling techniques and understood the risk inherent to ice climbing and how to manage them safely!
There are so many valley’s filled with ice climbs;Ceillac, Crevoux, les Orres, Fressinières, Le Fournel, La Grave, Cervieres, Aguilles, val d’escrins… to name a few! The above program is a general idea, your guide will be the to suggest the climbs with best conditions so the program may change.
This is the last day of the course, you will be free to leave after the climbing or stay longer if you prefer.
Level requirements
Fitness level:
For this course you will need a good fitness level. You should be able to hike and climb for 5 full consecutive days. Trudging through deep snow on approaches and hanging on your ice tools will be your daily challenge.
Technical level
This is not a beginners course, you should have some previous ice climbing experience. Rock climbing regularly is also a really good plus.
Training
Regular cardio training, climbing at the gym as well as good upper body strength will help you live the course to the fullest.
Guide Fees
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
Accommodation
5 nights in a hotel. Accommodation is on shared basis with breakfast and dinner.
Local Transport
Local transport provided in accordance with instructor/guide’s available car capacity
Group Equipment
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Office Support
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.
Not included in price
Personal Equipment
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.
Food & Drink
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.
Insurance
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.
Transport to L’Argentière-la-Bessée
Transport is not included. Closest airports to arrive there are Torino (2h drive), Grenoble (3h drive), Lyon (3h30 drive). Best way to get from any of the airports is to rent a car and drive to L’Argentière-la-Bessée.