Women of Mountaineering Skills Camp

Welcome to join our Women of Mountaineering Skills Camp in Chamonix!

This is skill camp for women who want to become more independent in the mountains. Alpine climbing & mountaineering is moving in different terrain: On glacier, rock, ice and snow. To become self sufficient is a process you build over time and this camp will help you on your way. We will focus on different skills each day and the camp takes place in Chamonix - one of the best places in the world for mountaineering!

Together with certified guides you get to develop new skills on our clinics and learn together. 

We hope to cover these topics during the camp: 

Clinics

Training for mountaineering
Gear for mountaineering

Rock skills: Learn to lead

Rock skills: Multipitch climbing

Glacier skills: Crampon & ice axe techniques for different terrain

Glacier skills: Glacier travel

Glacier skills: Ice/Snow Anchors

Glacier skills: Crevasse rescue

Alpine skills: How to lead in alpine terrain

Alpine skills: How to build an anchor

Alpine skills: Rappelling

Alpine skills: Route finding 

Navigation

Tour planning
Risk Management

Program

The program may have to change due to weather and conditions and participants previous experience, 

Day 1

Travel day, arrival in Chamonix. You get to Chamonix on your own during the day and check into a hotel (check-in from 15:00). In the afternoon we can do a hike together to explore the area and strech our legs for those who have arrived. In the evening we host a welcome dinner for everyone at 19:00!

Day 2

Today our clinics start! You will learn about navigation, tour planning and get expedition skills. We will talk about gear: Different ropes, what a guide have on their harness, gear used for different climbs. You will also learn different knots.

Day 3

Today we focus on our glacier skills including crampon & ice axe techniques, how to rope up, glacier travel, crevasse rescue and building ice/snow anchors. We learn tactics for getting past crevasses, belaying our partner and climb steep snow. We learn about short roping and we climb a small mountain where you will lead the climb.

Day 4

Today we have clincis focusing on your rock skills. Learn how to lead climb, multipitch climbing and multiple rappels. You will learn to become more efficent with rope managemant, knots and team work while climbing. We practice by climbing in independent teams where you take turns leading or together with guides depending on your previous experience.

Day 5

This day is all about alpine climbing. We will climb an alpine ridge and learn how to place gear, build anchors and route finding. You will practice moving together in the mountains, making decisions and how to keep your partner safe. We end the camp with a dinner together in Chamonix!

Day 6

Travel day. You check out from the hotel at 10:00 at the latest and continue your adventure on your own. Maybe you found new climbing partners and want to stay in Chamonix and practice your skills after the camp?

Previous knowledge

To get the most out of this camp, you have climbed in an alpine environment before (perhaps with a guide) and know how to belay a climber. This camp is not for a total beginner, you should have some previous experience.

We recommend our Intro to Mountaineering & Gran Paradiso for someone who would like to start with mountaineering. 

We climb in easy accessible terrain and on easy routes to focus on building your skills and techniques. 

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 if you want to borrow:

• Alpine ice axe

• Crampons

• Helmet

• Harness

• Screw carabiner
• Sling
• Prusik

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 (ex La Sportiva Trango Tech or Scarpa Ribelle).

• Backpack, 30-40 litres

• Warm hat (which fits under a helmet)

• Underwear, shirt and pants (synthetic or wool, not cotton)

• Thinner fleece sweater

• Thin down jacket

• Wind and waterproof jacket (preferably shell jacket without lining)

• Wind and waterproof trousers (preferably shell trousers without lining)

• T-shirt

• Hiking pants

• Thick gloves

• Thin gloves

• Snow locks (gaiters)

• Headlamp

• Sunglasses

• 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) 
• Rock shoes

Included in the price

• Four days with clinics by certifed guides

• Hotel in Chamonix (shared room) five nights

• Breakfast

• Welcome dinner

• Closing dinner 

• Professionel photographer to document the trip

• Climate compensation

• Climbing gear to borrow

• Local transport with bus or car

Not included

• Travel to and from Chamonix

• Personal equipment, see the list above

• Lift card in case we use a lift

• Own insurance

• Drinks and food other then mentioned under included