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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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What you get on this adventure:
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- An experienced IFMGA-certified Chamonix-based guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 3-day or 5-day alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix
- Lift passes when needed
- Safety equipment (rope, cams, ice screws, etc.)
- Half board in a mountain hut on Day 4 (for 5-day option)
What’s not included:
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- Transfer to Chamonix
- Accommodation and meals in Chamonix
- Lunch and snacks
- Personal and technical equipment (shoes, crampons, helmet, harness, ice axes, etc.)
- Guide gratuities — optional
- Personal insurance — mandatory
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While you don’t need prior alpine climbing experience for this alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix, keep in mind that alpine climbing is physically demanding and requires excellent fitness. Ice climbing demands upper body strength, and calves can take a beating when front-pointing. To prepare, focus on building endurance through hill walks and strength through exercises like squats, step-ups, and stair-climbing with a pack. Your guides will tailor the itinerary to the group’s abilities to ensure a challenging yet enjoyable experience for everyone.
For more adventures in Chamonix, click here!
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Alpine climbing gear (available to rent in Chamonix, please let us know if you need anything):
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- Good quality alpine climbing boots (that allow attaching of crampons)
- Ice axe, crampons, and helmet
Personal clothing:
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- Waterproof shell jacket (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Waterproof shell trousers (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Mid layer (fleece is good)
- Base layers
- Spare clothes for layering
- Clothes for the evening and rest day
- Down layer
- Hat
- Gloves
- Gaiters
Personal items:
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- Backpack (35-50L), big enough to fit all you’ll need for the ascent
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Personal medication
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
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Yes, you can! All the essential safety gear (ropes, cams, ice screws, etc.) will be provided by the guide. Everything else you’ll need can be brought from home or easily rented from one of the many gear shops in Chamonix. Check out Sanglard Sports for rental.
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Group sizes and pricing
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- For this alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
- It takes a minimum of 3 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 6 participants.
An alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
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- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join this alpine climbing clinic in Chamonix on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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The starting point of your alpine climbing clinic is Chamonix. To get there, most people fly into Geneva International Airport (GVA), one hour away. Once you arrive, there are several ways to reach your destination, including public transport. Looking to make the airport transfers hassle-free?
Check out Mountain Drop Offs—they provide door-to-door service in their comfy and spacious shuttles. Use the code 57HCHX to get a 5% discount!
Make sure to arrive a day prior to Day 1, as your alpine climbing clinic begins in the morning of Day 1. Your guides will get back to you before the tour starts with the exact meeting point.
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We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Please note that personal insurance is mandatory for this clinic.
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