Our Introduction to Alpine Climbing Course is designed for mountaineers and climbers seeking a firm skills grounding in their first season in the Alps. It includes snow, ice and rock techniques in a week of technical instruction with IFMGA Guides, with ascents of classic Alpine Peaks in the Arolla and Zermatt ranges. The 3:1 guiding ratio means that Frost Guiding clients can explore more technical terrain than is offered by 4:1 (or greater) ratios on other Introductory courses helping them to become independent mountaineers more quickly.
Some prior experience of winter mountaineering and/or roped climbing is helpful, but we will guide you from first steps in all the essential Alpine Mountaineering skills.
The Introduction to Alpine Climbing course will prepare you to climb independently on lower grade alpine peaks, and also works well as training for more technical guided routes. Itineraries are tailored to group experience and aspirations. The week makes great preparation for our Alpine Progression course which can follow on as part of a continuous 2 week trip.
.jpg "Introduction to Alpine Climbing on the Ferpecle Glacier")
Sample programme:
Day 1: Glacier training on Moiry Glacier; crampon skills, ice climbing, crevasse rescue - overnight in Moiry Hut (2825m)
Day 2: Climb Pointe de Mourti (PD 3564m), practice glacier skills, return to Evolene
Day 3-4: Walk from Arolla to Dix Hut (2928m); climb Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3869m) (PD) and/or traverse Pigne d'Arolla
(3790m) (F+)
Days 5-6: Valley rock climbing, teaching prusiking and belay techniques; drive to Saas Grund, ascend to
Weissmies Hut, climb Lagginhorn (4010m) (PD)
.jpg "Trekking from the Bertol hut round to the Aiguille de la Tsa")
What our clients say:
"I got exactly what I wanted from the course. It has galvanised me into doing all that I can in Scotland with a view to becoming self-sufficient at my current level in the Alps. If/when I want to make a further step up, or just have a great holiday, in the Alps, Frost guiding would certainly be the company I would use." Simon, July 2018
"Excellent! Surpassing all my expectations, a truly wonderful adventure with the best guide" Richard, July 2018
"Guide was amazing, managed to cater for all of us and it was pitched at the right level. Very physically challenging but that's what I wanted - and we were able to do more as a group because we were fit." Samantha, 2018
For information on accommodation and what's included in our Swiss Alpine Mountaineering Course prices click here.
