Intro to Alpinism: Switzerland

Switzerland has a huge variety of mountains form the accessible snow dome of the Pigne d’Arolla to the fierce pyramid of the Matterhorn. The ClimbNow team spend time each year guiding in the Valais and Bernese Oberland. This experience gives them the knowledge and judgement to choose objectives suitable for your first trip to the Swiss Alps. The grade range of this course will be F to PD.

Dates: June, July, August, September.

Ratio: 1:3 Maximum.

Who’s it for: Anyone with hill walking experience who wishes to experience mountaineering in the Alps and learn some alpine mountaineering skills.

WHAT’S INCLUDEDWHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Instruction/GuidingInsurance (essential)
Harnesses, helmetsCrampons, ice axe, boots
(can be hired in Chamonix)
Personal hut fees and Arolla hotel accommodation based on a half board basisAccommodation in Chamonix
Transport during the course (including: fuel and parking costs)Personal uplift
Guides accommodation, all food and drinksPersonal lunches, drinks and drinks at huts
Guides uplift 

Sample program

Day 1: After meeting in Chamonix and checking through equipment, we will travel to the Moiry Barrage. This will give us access to the brilliant Glacier de Moiry on which we will practice crevasse rescue, crampon, ice axe and ice climbing skills. We will travel over the glacier to overnight at the Cabane de Moiry.

Day 2: Following an early breakfast, we will climb the first summit of our trip. This will be the Pigne de la Le (3396m). After leaving this stunning viewpoint we will return to the valley and drive to Arolla to overnight.

Day 3: The day will begin with some rock climbing or a Via Ferrata in the Arolla valley before continuing the day by crossing the Glacier de Piece to the Cabane des Vignettes at 3160m.

Day 4: From the Cabane des Vignettes we traverse the Pigne d’Arolla (3790m) and descend the Glacier de Cheilon to overnight at the Cabane de Dix (2928m).

Day 5: Two options exist depending on conditions and energy levels. If conditions are good we can climb Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3870m). If energy levels are lower we can climb La Luette (3548m). Both options allow us to continue the day via the famous ladders of the Pas de Chevre and a return to Arolla and Chamonix.

The itinerary may change due to weather conditions.

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