- This course has passed.
Chamonix Alpine Intro+ June 2020
June 15, 2020 - June 19, 2020
£1,245.00
Course Navigation
Whilst Chamonix is the capital of world mountaineering, you do not need to be an experienced mountaineer to enjoy its vast mountain attractions. On the contrary, one of Chamonix’s real assets is that it has peaks and climbs suitable for all levels of challenge and for every step along the path to Becoming an Alpinist.
This alpine training course is designed for those who want to learn and develop their mountaineering skills with crampons, ice axe & mountaineering boots whilst doing some inspiring glacier journeys & climbing alpine ridges and peaks.
The course starts with an expedition featuring 3 days & 2 nights in mountain huts on both the French & Swiss side of the Mont Blanc Massif before enjoying a less physical and more technical rock day and then a final high altitude day trip to the Italian side of the Range.
The Intro+ title refers to this course being run at a guiding ratio of 1:3 instead of our classic Alpine Intro course which is 1:4. This allows for slightly more technical terrain to be undertaken and overall for a better progression for those who have already done a little mountaineering and are looking to build skills and enjoy some more high alpine scrambling terrain.
Plan A itinerary for this Intro+ Course
- Approach to Albert Premier Hut and glacier mountaineering / ice climbing training day on Tour Glacier – Night at Albert Premier Hut (c. 2700m)
- Alpine start for to summit the Aiguille du Tour & continue on the Swiss side to the Trient Hut (c. 3100m)
- Return across the Trient Glacier and back in to France! Ascent of Tete Blanche and Petit Fourche. Some enjoyable mixed scrambling on all these peaks. Return to Chamonix via cakes at the Albert Premier Hut on the descent!
- Rocky day – either scrambling in the Aiguilles Rouges or rock climbing day – including multi pitch options eg at Les Cheserys in the Aiguilles Rouges
- Italy day – Punta Hellbronner glacier journey and scramble eg Aiguilles Marbrees or Aiguilles d’Entreves SW summit. Return to Chamonix mid afternoon on this last day.
Thus a superb varied 5 day programme and good value with the 1:3 open course ratio. An action packed week and great opportunity to build skills whilst doing lots of good mountaineering in a team of other like minded guests.
Progression courses taking place the week after this Alpine Intro Course which you may want to also join…
Quotes from our over subscribed 2018 course…
Liz…
It was a great week! Huge thanks for Jonny for his amazing guiding during the week. I not only learnt a ton of new information through his expert instruction, but received a ton of great suggestions for other places to explore and build on going forward from the course. Plus, he was a brilliant leader making each day fun and enjoyable as well, and catered wonderfully to each member of our group’s skill sets and what we wanted to get out of the course. I’m stoked to build on what I learned during the week. Thanks Jonny!
Emma & James….
James and I just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the course. Johnny was a fantastic guide and we learnt a huge amount over the 5 days. We’d definitely recommend the Chamonix intro alpine course and Johnny to other people.
Course Pre-Requirements
Whilst it not essential to have any background of rock climbing or winter mountaineering any climbing experience, even at a climbing wall will be useful, as will any general hill walking and scrambling eperience. A good fitness level is required for alpine mountaineering days 6 – 8 hours in duration. The traverse of the Pigne d’Arolla on the last day is particularly physical and you should be well prepared for around 8 hours on the go at high altitude. This course would also be suitable for climbers with some technical experience who are keen to receive alpine specific training and develop their personal skills with a view to climbing independently after the course.
