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Skill: **
These weekend trips are suitable for anyone with good fitness, a good head for heights and a willingness to learn the basic skills of alpine mountaineering and glacier travel. Previous high altitude trekking, mountaineering or rock climbing experience is not required.
Stamina: **
A reasonable level of fitness is required for this weekend course which involves 2 days of outdoor activities in the mountains around Chamonix.
This weekend course is ideal for anyone who is planning a high altitude trek/expedition or for those who want a refresher in
the skills needed to travel safely at altitude. The course will be led by an IFMGA Mountain Guide with a minimum group size of
4 and maximum 8 per instructor.
Mountain adventure should be great fun and the experience of a lifetime and a key theme of the weekend is safety. Previous high-altitude trekking or mountaineering is not essential. At the end of the course, you should have the confidence and skills to trek at altitude in the Himalayas and beyond.
Read more about Chamonix, France Enquire about this tripItinerary
Outline Programme
Day 1
The course begins on Friday evening with a welcome meeting and course briefing. The briefing covers essential information
for the following 2 days and equipment check.
Group evening meal followed by a slideshow.
Day 2
Session 1: Movement skills and walking on challenging mountain terrain; using crampons and ice-axe, practicing
self-arrest
techniques.
Session 2: Basic Ropework, moving together, belaying and rappelling.
Group evening meal followed by discussion on the acclimatization
process.
Day 3
Session 3: Basic navigation skills, route choice and planning.
Session 4: Course review and QA session.
We go on as long as possible on Sunday afternoon and return to Chamonix in time for participants to check out of the hotel
and return to the airport for their outbound flights.
This is a sample itinerary only and it may change depending on the weather and ground conditions.
The main topics covered during the course are:
- Movement skills on challenging mountain terrain, using crampons and ice-axe
- Basic ropework, moving together, belaying and rappelling
- Basic navigation skills, route choice and planning
- Personal fitness, endurance and stamina
- Safety in the high mountains and understanding the acclimatization process
- Recommended equipment, clothing and footwear
Additional Information
This course can be run for private groups (of 4 or more people) on request at any time.
The cost of the weekend is £275 which includes the 2 nights B&B accommodation (twin room share) and the course fees.
Travel to/from Chamonix, lunches, drinks, equipment hire, personal insurance and uplift costs are not included.
The course is led by one of our team of UIAGM Mountain Guides. The UIAGM qualification is the highest level of professional
training for mountain travel and safety and our guides all have a lot of experience of leading groups in the high mountains.
Accommodation
Chamonix has lots of hotels and our preferred hotel is the Hotel Pointe Isabelle
www.pointe-isabelle.com. This is a comfortable 2-star hotel in the centre of
Chamonix.
Course Leader
The course will be led by one of our team of UIAGM Mountain Guides with a minimum group size of 4 and maximum 8 per
instructor.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for alpine mountaineering covering personal accident, rescue and third
party risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote CLICK HERE or contact our office for further details.