Climbing in an alpine environment is a fantastic combination of physical challenge and nature experience. It requires skill in navigation, route selection and climbing knowledge. Alpine climbing involves climbing on rock, snow and ice, sometimes all at the same time.
Approaches and descents often take place on glaciers, which requires knowledge of glaciers. This is the introductory course to climbing in an alpine environment and aims to give you a foundation for different types of alpine climbing. In addition, we have added an ascent of one of the Alps' most beautiful 4000 meter peaks. Perfect for those who want to get started with alpine climbing & mountaineering. Gran Paradiso is a great first 4000 meter peak where you get to feel the high altitude at a reasonable level.
This trip is for girls and non-binary together with female IFMGA guides!
Course content
• Review of basic rope work,
• Basic knowledge of crampons and alpine ice axes and techniques for using them on a glacier
• Glacier knowledge and route selection on a glacier
• Demonstration of buddy rescue, a system for helping someone out of a glacier crevasse
• Great climbing in a magnificent alpine environment!
• Ascent of a 3000 meter peak as acclimatization
• Summit attempt on Gran Paradiso 4061 m
Who should participate?
Those who want to get a thorough introduction to alpine climbing under the supervision of skilled instructors who are also authorized mountain guides.
Prerequisites
You do not need to have previous experience of alpine climbing, but you should be healthy and in good physical condition. If you have a green card in climbing or have taken a basic course in rock climbing, you will learn more during these days.
Program
Day 1
This is your travel day when you travel to Chamonix on your own. You can check in at your hotel from 15:00
Day 2
We do an approach up a glacier where we learn to go in a rope team, use an ice axe and crampons and glacier rescue. We then plan tomorrow's trip. The night is spent in a mountain hut.
Day 3
We do the Aiguille Tour or another nice peak in the area. It is a wonderful trip on a glacier, up a steeper section that ends with an easier climb. You get to experience the alpine environment while our guides teach you how to tackle the terrain. We sleep in a hotel in Chamonix.
Day 4
We head to Italy and do the approach to Gran Paradiso. In the afternoon we take it easy up at the hut and relax before the summit attempt. We sleep in a mountain hut.
Day 5
We wake up early, while it is still dark outside, and have breakfast. Then we set off, by headlamp, towards the glacier and the summit of Gran Paradiso. About 5 hours later we are at the summit. We then go back down to the hut where we spend the night.
Day 6
After breakfast in the hut, we go back down to Pont and drive to Chamonix where you check into your hotel. Here your guides say goodbye and you spend the evening in any way you like.
Day 7
Your return day. You check out no later than 10:00 and continue the adventure on your own.
Location
Chamonix is our base, from here we reach a lot of climbing in the Chamonix Valley and surrounding area.
Equipment
Loan of climbing equipment required is included in the price. The following equipment will be given to you by your mountain guide at the beginning of the course.
• Alpine ice axe
• Crampons
• Helmet
• Harness
• Screw carabiner
Personal equipment
The following personal equipment is required, but is not included in the course fee.
• Boots that can be attached to crampons (e.g. La Sportiva Trango Tech or Scarpa Ribelle). If you are unsure whether your boots are sturdy enough, you can of course ask us before you go. There are boots to rent in Chamonix, the best place to rent is Snell Sport in Chamonix.
• Backpack, 30-35 liters
• Warm hat (that fits under a helmet)
• Base layer, sweater and pants (synthetic or wool, not cotton)
• Thinner fleece sweater
• Thicker fleece sweater or thin down jacket
• Wind and waterproof jacket (preferably a shell jacket without lining)
• Wind and waterproof pants (preferably shell pants without lining)
• Hiking pants
• Thick mittens
• Thin mittens, gloves
• Snow gaiters (gaiters)
• Headlamp
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Poles (telescopes that can be folded and attached to a backpack)
• Sun hat or cap
• Handkerchief (a slightly larger one can work as sun protection for the neck/head) or buff
Included in price
• Training and guidance by an authorized IFMGA mountain guide for 5 days
• All climbing equipment
• Accommodation for 3 nights in a hotel in Chamonix with breakfast (partly in double rooms, single rooms can be arranged for an additional fee)
• Accommodation for 3 nights in mountain huts with breakfast & three-course dinner
• All transport during the trip
• 16-week training program
Not included
• Travel to and from Chamonix
• Clothing / personal equipment, see list above
• Food and drinks except what´s listed under "included"
• Lift pass
• Own insurance
