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If you’ve been wanting to give alpine climbing a go, this is your sign. It’s difficult to find a more iconic and unique place than Chamonix-Mont-Blanc. As the birthplace of alpinism, it’s a well-respected and beloved valley of countless opportunities. You’ll be trained by expert IFMGA guides, who will spend a week with you honing new techniques and then moving onto bigger routes. When you’re not scaling superb quality rocks, slip down to the valley where you can taste delicious Alpine French dishes and enjoy the small-town charm.
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The starting point of the adventure is Chamonix, the world’s most famous destination for alpine climbing. Today you won’t be climbing, just meet your guides, go over the details of the itinerary and settle into the hotel. Get a good night’s sleep so you’re ready for the days ahead of you.
Accommodation: Hotel
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For the first three days you’ll train with your professional and friendly guides, Rob and Nino. As a place with more than two centuries of tradition of high-end alpinism, Chamonix is the perfect starting point for your alpine climbing journey. You’ll learn new skills, identify areas for improvement, and enjoy lower-elevation crags around Chamonix. Find out what it takes to do a proper mountain summit and work out the technical complexities and prepare for a summit.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals included: Breakfasts
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The second section of the trip will be spent in smaller teams—with 2 new IFMGA guides joining the group, the client-to-guide ratio is now 2:1. This will allow guides to have a more personalized approach where you can work on your personal alpine climbing objectives. You’ll spend these days at a refuge, which will also give you a chance to climb higher. Day 6 is the last day of climbing, so make sure to seize the day and achieve what you used to consider unachievable! Retreat to your accommodation for your final night in the Chamonix area.
Accommodation: Refuge and hotel
Meals included: All breakfasts and 2 dinners
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It’s time to leave the refuge and get back to the valley. If you’d like to extend your stay, just ask your guides about recommendations. If not, head back to Geneva to catch your flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
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During 8 days, you will learn about:
- Managing rope systems
- Shortening the rope for efficiency and safety
- Minimalist techniques to keep you moving
- Using natural protection like horns, ridges, and terrain for protection
- Cramponing
- Efficient transitions between rock, ice, and snow
- Glacier travel
- Strategies for protection on ice including V/naked threads and moving quickly on alpine ice
- Managing easy, but exposed climbing
- Avoiding rock- and icefall hazards
- Bivy skills
- Moving quickly on long, alpine rock routes
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