Climbing in an alpine environment is a fantastic combination of physical challenge and nature experience. It requires skill in navigation, route selection and climbing skills. Alpine climbing involves climbing on rock, snow and ice, sometimes all at the same time.
Approaches and descents often take place on glaciers, this requires knowledge of glaciers. This is the experience for you who have taken a basic course and now want to take the next step and climb as many nice tours as possible while developing your skills.
Our starting point is Chamonix and from there we have access to an endless number of nice tours in the mountains. We also have the opportunity to move to more exciting places depending on the group and the weather. The goal is to be able to carry out this trip every year with new tours so that you as a participant are always welcome to climb with us and get new experiences if you like alpine climbing.
This is a slightly more advanced climbing trip in Chamonix where we climb tours in the grade AD/AD+.
The trip is guided 1:2 by authorized mountain guides, which means you get a great opportunity for development and personal guidance during the week to develop your climbing.
Previous knowledge
You have basic knowledge and experience in alpine climbing such as glacier hiking in a rope team, crampon technique and can handle an ice ax and rappel. You have experience in rock climbing and can climb grade 4 outdoors. You have a red card and good fitness.
Place
Chamonix is our base, from here we reach a lot of climbing in the Chamonix Valley and the surrounding area. We meet at 08:00 on the first day of the trip.
Program
We do not have a fixed program for this trip, but the tours are adapted to weather, conditions and the group's experience and wishes. The goal is to climb as many nice tours as possible around grades AD/AD+. There will be exposed ridge climbs, ascents of 4000 meter peaks and steep glaciers. You will be challenged but at an appropriate level and above all you will enjoy fantastic climbing on both classic routes and more remote locations.
Equipment
Loan of necessary climbing equipment is included in the price. The following equipment is assigned to you by your mountain guide at the beginning of the course.
• Alpine ice axe
• Crampons
• Helmet
• Harness
• Screw carabiner
Personal equipment
You need to have the following personal equipment with you, this is not included in the course fee.
• Boots to which crampons can be attached (eg Sportiva Nepal Extreme or Trango Extreme Evo). 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. Price list for rental equipment at Snell Sport can be found here: http://www.cham3s.com/snell-rental-prices.html
• Backpack, 35-45 litres
• Warm hat (which fits under a helmet)
• Underwear, shirt and pants (synthetic or wool, not cotton)
• Thinner fleece sweater
• Thicker fleece sweater or thin down jacket
• Wind and waterproof jacket (preferably shell jacket without lining)
• Wind and waterproof trousers (preferably shell trousers without lining)
• Thick gloves
• Thin mittens, gloves
• Snow locks (gaiters)
• Headlamp
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Water bottle
• Sun protection
The following are good to have but not a must:
• Poles (telescopes that can be folded and attached to a backpack)
• Sun hat or cap
• Handkerchief (slightly larger can serve as sun protection for the neck/head)
• Camera (compact)
Included in the price
• Guiding and personal supervision by an authorized mountain guide for 5 days
• All climbing equipment
• All transport during the trip
Not included
• Travel to and from Chamonix
• Accommodation in Chamonix
• Lift card to get up to climbing faster
• Clothing / personal equipment, see the list above
• Own insurance
Training before the trip
If you want help with a personal training plan before the trip, read more about our service here!
