Alpine Preparation

Overview

So you’re planning a trip to the Alps this year? Why not have a weekend with us in North Wales with an IFMGA Mountain Guide as part of your preparation before you go? We’ll spend time in the mountains on similar terrain to that you’ll find out in the Alps (except glaciers!) to master essential skills like moving together. Aiming to give you the confidence to get out to the bigger Alpine mountains and enjoy it.

Who’s This Aimed At?

You should have some experience of mountaineering and, or climbing in the UK in summer and winter, where basic ropework and snowcraft has been learnt. Expect plenty of steep ascent and descent – being ‘mountain fit’ will help!

What Your Course May Look Like

Every course is unique as we tailor each one to the team and the weather, but this should give a flavour of what you might get up to: 

Saturday

• Informal welcome chat with our staff and your course members;
• Essential alpine ropework – taking and tying off coils;
• Crevasse rescue – hauling a partner;
• Prusiking up a rope (to escape a crevasse);
• Glacier travel;
• Planning; interpreting alpine weather, using huts, preparing for a bivvy;
• Back to PYB for tea and cake!

Sunday 

• Navigation and route choice on a scramble;
• A mountain journey using various rope techniques; 
• Consolidation of rope skills from previous day;
• Back to PYB for more tea and cake, and a fond farewell!