To make the most of your climbing experience we encourage you to work on your fitness before the trip. You will find that training on hills with a +10kg pack is the best preparation for the mountains, to build your endurance. We recommend training programmes tailored to mountaineering such as those from Uphill Athlete.
Set in the wonderfully scenic Monte Rosa region, this course will take you beyond elementary alpine skills.
For mountaineers who have a desire to increase their level of independence and skills, this course is designed to deliver instruction and training relevant to the region and transferable to any mountain range on earth.
This challenging course is an instructional and coaching course. We limit the time where you are merely being taught skills in isolation; instead we combine instruction with ascents of peaks at an ever-increasing tempo throughout the course.
You will further develop the skills of rock and ice climbing, belaying, crampon techniques, glacial travel, self-arrest and rescue techniques.
- Further your skills to become a better climber
- Make a series of ascents on this course based from Chamonix
Course Level
Course Level
Intermediate
Elevation
Elevation
2,000m/6,562ft
Duration
Duration
5 days
Location
Location
Chamonix, France
Arrive in Chamonix, hotel night |
The team meets in the hotel for a briefing and gear check. There is time to arrange last minute rental and/or equipment purchases in Chamonix, before driving to Entrèves, Italy. From here we catch the Funivie Monte Bianco lift to an excellent alpine training zone for a glacier and rope skills refresher, followed by a climb of the north-west ridge of Le Petit Flambeau 3,440m/11,286ft. We descend and return to Chamonix for a hotel night
After breakfast, we drive from Chamonix to our starting point for the day at Staffal (Gressoney). Taking the cable car to Punta Indren 3,300m/10,827ft, we undertake a 1 hour hike to Mantova Hut 3,498m/11,476ft for rope work skills, knot practice and crevasse rescue. Overnight at Mantova Hut |
We have an early start from Mantova Hut for a big day of climbing on the border of Italy and Switzerland, including ascents of the Pyramid Vincent 4,213m/3,822ft, Balmenhorn 4,161m/13,652ft, Ludwigshöhe 4,342m/14,245ft and Corno Nero 4,322m/14,180ft before returning for a second night at Mantova Hut
Another alpine start to consolidate and build upon the skills we have learned thus far on the course. Today will include an ascent of Zumsteinspitze 4,564m/14,974ft and Signalkuppe 4,554m/14,941ft (also known as Punta Gnifetti). We return to the Mantova Hut for a final night up high
Today we will have a more leisurely start after some hard climbing days and go over some final skills to consolidate what we have learnt before descending back to the cable car and returning to Chamonix for dinner and a well-earned hotel night
Breakfast, a chance to exchange photographs and departure |
The programme may be subject to change if conditions are more suitable in another region or factors such as weather or lift service preclude access into this region
Departures and Pricing
Looking for a specific date? Book a private course
PREPARE
Participants should have some basic grounding in alpine climbing with the desire to broaden and deepen their skills on the different alpine terrain - snow and ice faces, exposed crests, rock and mixed ground. You should be happy seconding rock to Alpine grade III with boots and a pack.
We offer focused guide attention to ensure consistency across the program. Whilst other operators combine you with large groups on training days we know your safety will be better protected and the learning progressions will be enhanced with the attentive care of your guide and smaller guide to climber ratios.
Adventure Consultants guides are BMG/NZMGA and / or IFMGA-UIAGM qualified mountain guides. They are professional mountaineers and operate to the highest industry standards.
Being a technically proficient climber alone is not enough to work with us; our standards demand that trip leaders are great guides as well. You will find your guide friendly, approachable and focused on providing a safe and enjoyable trip in line with your objectives and comfort level.
Success with the highest margin of care is always a hallmark of our approach; promoting the realisation that even extreme pursuits such as high altitude mountaineering can be undertaken safely.
Adventure Consultants only employs IFMGA qualified guides for European ascents and courses and this is the only certification that is recognised in the French Alps. In order to gain these qualifications guides must undergo rigorous training and assessment on climbing skills, instructional skills, avalanche training and assessment, wilderness first aid, rescue training and much more. The qualification takes many years to attain and ensures you are getting a world class professional service.
The price of your trip includes the following:
- Qualified mountain guide
- Group technical equipment
- Lift passes as per the scheduled itinerary
- Hut accommodation as per the scheduled itinerary
- Hotel accommodation on a B&B basis during trip dates as specified on the schedule, including first / last night of your trip
- Local ground transport as per the scheduled itinerary
- Breakfast & dinner during mountain component of course/trip.