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.
This high-quality course is the perfect stepping stone to high expedition peaks and ideal for climbers looking to start tackling the Seven Summits.
Introducing you to a wide array of techniques and fine-tuning existing skills, you’ll develop the pre-requisites for going higher than you ever have before.
Based out of the climber’s paradise of Chamonix in the French Alps, our 6-day Chamonix Expedition Course has been designed by Adventure Consultants to equip you with the essential skills and techniques to take your climbing to the next level and begin tackling major ascents.
Let our experienced guides help you navigate your way towards safe and successful climbing practices, with a special focus on expedition climbing to set you on your way towards your mountain objectives.
With a strong focus on practical experience, the course is directed toward fit and motivated people who have some background in the outdoors. Previous alpine or rock climbing experience, bushwalking or hiking to a demanding level or other related activities, which develop self-reliance and a mentally robust attitude, are the pre-requisites for this course.
At the end of the course, participants will have gained the skills to tackle more committing multi-day ascents, either guided or on their own.
- Expedition-focused course instructed by experienced guides
- Focus on climber self-sufficiency to take your climbing to the next level
Course Level
Course Level
Intermediate
Elevation
Elevation
3,604m/11,824ft
Duration
Duration
6 days
Location
Location
Chamonix, France
CEC CURRICULUM
DAY 0
This is our arrival day in Chamonix, check into our hotel and get a good night’s sleep ahead of an action-packed week ahead |
DAY 1
We begin the course with an introductory lecture on expeditions and expedition planning, to whet your appetite both for your broader goals and the immediate week ahead. Your guide will go over the plan for the week and will check our gear, with last chance opportunities to rent or purchase items from Chamonix’s many mountain retailers. The afternoon is spent at the well-known local rock climbing area at Les Gaillands, going over basic rope skills, prusiking, rappelling, etc. before we return to our hotel for the night
DAY 2
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DAY 3
Day 3 is dedicated to alpine rock—further developing the rock and rope skills that we have learnt. We take the Flégère cable car 1,877m/6,158ft and the Index lift 2,595m/8,514ft to access the traverse of the Aiguilles Crochues 2,840m/9,317ft. This route offers fantastic views towards Mont Blanc and is ideal for newer alpine climbers. Here we discuss route finding before descending for our last hotel night
DAY 4
The day begins with a discussion on navigation before we drive through the famous Mont Blanc tunnel, emerging in Entrèves, Italy. From here we take the Funivie Monte Bianco up to the Torino Hut 3,375m/11,073ft. In this vicinity, we will learn how to organise ourselves in the mountain environment when camping on snow by jumping straight in and setting up camp. We will practise travelling on glaciers, crevasse rescue, belaying and navigation skills before spending the night under canvas
DAY 5
Today we make an early start for a traverse of the Aiguilles Marbrées 3,535m/11,598ft, whose jagged summits form the border between Italy and France. With enjoyable climbing and spectacular environs, these are enjoyable peaks are firm local favourites. Here we will spend time learning about avalanche awareness and rescue techniques, with more practice in climbing fixed ropes and further discussion on route finding before a second night camping
DAY 6
Our final full day sees us take on the climax of the trip by climbing the Traverse of the Entrèves 3,604m/11,824ft, a fun but exposed route with yet more exceptional views. Tired but delighted, we descend early and spend the afternoon talking through acclimatisation, mountain first aid and expedition health before a well-deserved hotel night |
DAY 7
Take a leisurely breakfast before heading home
NOTE
This is a sample itinerary, your actual itinerary may vary if conditions are more suitable in another region or factors such as the weather or lift service precludes access. In some cases, this may be an additional expense to you
Departures and Pricing
Note: Dates are subject to change due to many factors out of our control
Looking for a specific date? Book a private course
PREPARE
Fitness
Technical Experience
Participants should be fit and motivated with some background in the outdoors, such as alpine or rock climbing experience, bushwalking or hiking to a demanding level or other related activities, which develop self-reliance and a mentally robust attitude.
Why Adventure Consultants?
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 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.
Inclusions
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.
Our Team
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