Becoming An Alpinist – June 2021

On this progressive alpine training course we aim to tackle some of Chamonix’s classic easy alpine routes in a style that will offer you high quality mountaineering training along the way. This course is ideally suited to those with some existing rock climbing and winter mountaineering experience and who would like to develop these existing skills and become independent ‘Alpinists’.

With a maximum ratio of 1 Mountain Guide to 3 students this course aims to deliver high quality practical training whilst tackling some interesting alpine terrain (up to C. PD+ / AD-) and practicing new skills in a high alpine context along the way. Training & development is the emphasis of this course thus we generally won’t be tackling long & hard Grande Courses…during the course….but hopefully in the future having done it!

4 Cornerstones To Alpine Mountaineering…

Even good climbers experienced in smaller and non-glaciated hills may not be familiar with all 4 of these important principles which give a great practical framework for structuring the training contents covered on this course.  They are:

• Good movement skills on all terrain from rough walking to steep climbing and from rock to mixed & ice
• Always roping together members of the team on a snow covered glacier
• Sticking to guide book time for the route – the need to be efficient and how to achieve this
• An awareness of objective hazards and how to mitigate against them

Course Aims

• Develop your existing mountaineering & rock climbing skill & experience with a view to progressing as an Alpinist
• Spend 5 enjoyable days climbing, mountaineering & training around the Mont Blanc Massif
• Visit a good variety of the classic mountain venues of the Chamonix Valley
• Meet some other like minded alpine mountaineers
• Have a fun & sociable week with 1 night spent in a high mountain hut

Fitness & Experience Levels Required

This course is for people who already have some rock climbing experience, have used crampons and an ice axe before and want to develop alpine mountaineering skills. To get the most out of the training and suggested routes you will be able to second up to F5b (C. UK VS) and you will also need to be physically very fit and able to complete 5 full mountain days (eg. 6-8 hours in duration).

In June 2021 there is also the optional extra opportunity to include a Climb Mont Blanc 3 day extension after a rest day at the end of this course.