PRIVATE GUIDING 2:1

Having our own valley accommodation means that we can maximise the quality of our mountaineering time by being flexible with itineraries to respond to mountain conditions.

Sample itinerary

Saturday afternoon: Arrival at Evolene accommodation from 2pm. Dinner and guides briefing from 7pm. 

The itinerary will be planned at the Saturday night brieifing depending on the experience and objectives of particpants and current mountain conditions. Potential objectives are plentiful. Ideas include: Mont Blanc, the Dent Blanche, Zinal Rothorn, Gran Paradiso, Douves Blanches Arete or traverses of the Eveque or Mont Blanc de Cheilon.

Saturday morning: Travel home - check out by 9am

Our Private Guiding packages are tailored to our clients' ability and fitness level. Alpine Climbing and Skiing is physically and mentally demanding so it's important to have a suitable fitness level before you arrive in the alps. 

Running, cycling and gym sessions (in fact, any regular sport) all provide good fitness training for summer alpine courses, but it's hard to beat good days out in the hills. If you don't have easy access to hills, your gym training will need to be carefully planned - mountain days are long, low-intensity exercise, which is hard to replicate in short gym sessions. Strength exercises (squats, step-ups, stair-climbing with a rucksack) are gaining favour over speed exercises (running, spinning).

Experience using axe and crampons is helpful but not essential - skills can be taught from beginner level. Likewise, roped climbing experience is not required but good fitness is necessary to enjoy your trip and make the most of your time with your mountain guide. Alpine hut approaches can involve 1000m ascents or more, and summit days can be up to 10 hours and 1200m of ascent. Of course, the itinerary is flexible and can allow for some easier days. You should be comfortable with UK hill walking fitness, carrying up to 10kg rucksack, and have a good head for exposure - classic UK ridges like Striding Edge on Helvelyn, or Crib Goch on Snowdon.

For AD graded routes prior climbing experience in the Alps or in equivalent UK winter conditions is necessary.

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