This course is a great kick-start in the skills needed to mountaineer in the Alpine environment. It's also a brilliant way to get out with mountain guides tuned into the current conditions before your own Alpine trip, with a chance to brush up on current
To teach alpine mountaineering skills and develop understanding and judgement of alpine terrain and hazard avoidance. Key points covered are; | | equipment; | route planning; | navigation; | guidebook interpretation; | understanding route grades and guidebook timings; | glacier travel; crevasse rescue; | moving together; | descent techniques; | protection: | snow anchors, | ice anchors, | rock anchors, | fixed gear; | acclimatising; pace; | hazard avoidance; | bivouacking; | using huts.
Itinerary
* Please note: Itinerary is subject to weather and availability.
Day One
Equipment check and ecole de glace (use of ice axe, crampons, snow and ice anchors, glacier travel, crevasses rescue) on a glacier
Day Two
Ecole de roche (scrambling/climbing skills, ropework and rock anchors, moving together techniques), overnight bivouacking and huts
Day Three
Ascend an alpine peak practicing all techniques learnt, then return to the valley.
Experience Required
Some experience of mountaineering and/or climbing in the UK in summer and winter, where basic ropework and snowcraft has been learnt.
Why Choose Plas y Brenin?
Instruction, coaching and equipment hire are all included. You'll need to buy lift passes locally when you get there. Whilst this course doesn't include accommodation or meals, our meeting point on the first day, the Yeti Lodge (75 Domain du Chantey, Rue du Plagnolet, Argentiere, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France) provides a warm welcome to B&B or half board guests. Please contact them for details of prices and availability.
Clothing to cope with hot sun on glaciers, as well as cold snowy conditions; mountain boots (B2 or 3), gaiters, lightweight mountain waterproof jacket and over trousers, down or synthetic duvet jacket light, coloured long•sleeved thermal tops, light soft shell trousers, fleece or synthetic insulation mid•layer tops, good quality mountaineering socks (several pairs), light gloves (leather palm), warm gloves, warm hat/ beanie, sun hat. Mountaineering/climbing equipment and other items to bring; rucksack (30•50L with ice axe attachments), climbing helmet, climbing shoes, mountaineering harness, mountaineering axe, 12 point mountaineering crampons, belay plate, 2 ice screws, Petzl Micro Traxion, Tibloc and pulley (useful), 2 prussick loops, 4 screwgate karabiners, 2 snapgate karabiners, 120cm sling, head torch (plus spare batteries), compass (Silva Expedition 4 recommended), maps (Chamonix, Massif Du Mont Blanc • 3630 OT), sun glasses (Cat 4 essential), sun cream/lip salve (factor 30+), water bottle (at least 1 litre), camera, small first aid kit, lunch snacks & emergency food, European Health Insurance Card, passport, copy of insurance, Reciprocal Rights Card (if you have one).
How should I prepare?
Build up mountain fitness with long walks (8 hours+) with a heavy rucksack on rough ground. Go scrambling. Do easy rock climbs in mountain boots. Go winter mountaineering in the UK for confidence with ice axe and crampons. Try different foods and drinks in the mountains to find out what works best for you. Read up on Alpine ropework, glacier travel and crevasse rescue.
Available Course Dates
Start the booking process by selecting a course date, then adjust your details to suit your requirements.
Sorry, we don’t have any spaces available right now.
Please get in touch for more information about future availability.
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