Introduction to Alpine Climbing

Alpine climbing is a great combination posing both a physical and mental challenge, beautiful scenery and the joy of being in the mountains. To be safe and get as much as possible out of your stay in the mountains you need skills in navigation, route finding, climbing on snow, ice and rock, as well as glacier knowledge and many other things.

Here is our course program that will provide you with an introduction to these skills.

Course content
• Rope work
• Snow craft – walking in crampons and using an ice axe
• Climbing, belaying and anchors on snow and ice including ice screws and Abalakovs
• Glacier knowledge and route finding on glaciers
• Crevasse rescue and rescue systems
• Tour planning for alpine climbs
• Map, compass, altimeter
• How to read and understand alpine guide books
• A lot of beautiful alpine climbing

Goal
To gain a solid foundation — knowledge and skills for alpine climbing.

Previous experience
You should have tried climbing and know how to belay when climbing, experience of alpine climbing is not needed.

Location
We use Chamonix as a base for our courses. From here we reach a lot of ideal introductory climbing and if the weather changes we have close access to other areas. 

Group size
Max 4 guests (minimum 3) per mountain guide

Equipment
We will provide you with all climbing equipment needed for the course. It will be handed to you by your guide at the first day. 
• Crampons 
• Ice axe 
• Helmet 
• Harness 
• Carabiner

Personal equipment – not included
If you don't have all the equipment that we are recommend, it is possible to rent what's missing at Snell Sport in Chamonix http://www.cham3s.com/snell-rental-prices.html

• You will need a backpack, 35-45 liters
• Boots for alpine climbing (i.e. Sportiva Nepal Extreme or Trango Extreme Evo)
• Warm hat 
• Thermal layer (wool or synthetic fabric, not cotton)
• Fleece top
• Fleece jacket
• Wind- and waterproof, breathable jacket
• Wind- and waterproof, breathable trousers
• Warm gloves or mitts
• Gloves
• Socks (and spares)
• Gaiters
• Head torch and batteries
• Sun glasses (for glacier, category 3 or 4 lens)
• Ski goggles (if storm winds or flat light)
• Water bottle (about 1,5 litres)
• Sun block

Included 
• Education and training by a professional mountain guide 
• All climbing equipment

Not included
• Drinks  
• Lunch and dinners
• Travelling to/from Chamonix
• Lift ticket, to get easy access to the climbing
• Accommodation 

 

Number of days: 3 days climbing course

Price: 650 euro per person in a group of 3 people


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Please use the form if you have any questions or want us to contact you.