5-Day Introduction to Alpine Mountaineering in Chamonix-Mont Blanc
Join Rob, an IFMGA-certified guide, on an Alpine mountaineering introductory course that will provide basic instruction in Chamonix-Mont Blanc over the course of five days and prepare you for a passionate career in mountain climbing.
Group
Alps
5 Days
Jun
High
Beginner
Highlights
- Learn the basic techniques of mountaineering from an expert guide.
- Climb in one of the world's most impressive locations - the Alps.
- Immerse yourself in a five-day program to get the most from your experience.
Description
Find your passion for mountain climbing in the Alps on a life-changing five-day program! Enjoy a guided introduction into the world of Alpine mountaineering and learn the fundamentals of climbing in Chamonix-Mont Blanc!
Chamonix-Mont Blanc is a region steeped in history. As the host of the first Winter Olympic Games in 1924, it has steadily become a mecca for mountain sports and a popular destination for just about every tourist and adventurer in the world. With the tallest mountain of the Alps (Mont Blanc) as its centerpiece, there is no better place to learn the tools of the trade than in Chamonix.
Your program will begin right as you settle into your Alpine accommodations. Designed for newcomers to mountaineering and the exciting climbs of the Alps, you will become accustomed to the fundamental skills necessary to successfully summit the most daunting objectives in the climbing world.
The course combines top-tier instruction with the unbeatable terrain of the Alps to prepare you for even the most sustained and substantial trips. It is common and suitable for graduates of the introductory course to ascend Mont Blanc. The blend of fun, immersive, and fascinating guidance makes this program one of the best ways to experience the iconic mountain range.
Our first days in Chamonix-Mont Blanc will acclimatize us to the high altitudes and prepare us for the summit to culminate the program. You will practice movement skills and glacier traverse techniques, coordination of a rope team, and general awareness for a heightened sense of safety. You will become comfortable using crampons, ice axes, and other mountaineering equipment that is vital to your progression and success.
By the end of your time in Chamonix, you will have gained invaluable skills in navigation, equipment selection and use, proper movement techniques, safe rescue methods, efficient ropework, and so much more. The week will focus on the four pillars of mountaineering: movement skills on all terrain, roping teams together when traversing glaciers, staying vigilant in following the route time, and maintaining high awareness and safety while minimizing hazards. After these goals have been reached, you will be ready to set out on your mountaineering career!
I love the Alps, so sharing this experience with you is my pleasure. I will ensure you have a fulfilling, safe, and enjoyable experience while instilling my passion for mountaineering in you over the five-day course. Let me know what your mountain climbing aspirations are and I will do my best to make them come true.
Though this is an introductory course in Chamonix-Mont Blanc, any previous mountaineering, climbing, or hiking experience is an asset. You should be in good shape and have the mental fortitude to complete a sustained journey in a beautiful yet demanding environment like the Alps.
Stop dreaming and start booking NOW to take advantage of this amazing five-day introductory program in the heart of the Alps and discover the world of Alpine mountaineering in the world-class atmosphere of Chamonix-Mont Blanc!
I can also take you on a three-day Gran Paradiso program to experience another iconic Alpine masterpiece!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
Price details
- The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).
- This is the price to join one of my group programs.
- The price includes the guiding fee, transportation during the course, trip management and planning, and a possible discount on rental equipment.
- The price does NOT include mountain lifts (Montenvers on Day 1 and Hellbronner on Day 2 – roughly 30 – 40 Euros), accommodation in Chamonix (from 10 – 20 Euros and up), a scheduled night in a mountain hut for both you and your guide (allow 75 Euros or more for dinner, bed, and breakfast), food and drink(s), flights, transfers to/from Chamonix, mountaineering equipment, insurance, camping equipment (if applicable), and anything not explicitly listed as “included.”
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrival
We will check into our accommodations and meet the evening before to warm-up as necessary and hire any equipment as needed.
Day 1: Mer de Glace
We will run a final equipment check before beginning the course. Our first objective is the largest glacier in France, the Mer de Glace. Using the Montenvers railway, we will begin our training with team rope and movement skills while familiarizing ourselves with mountain climbing gear and equipment.
Day 2: Monte Bianco
Our day will include crossing the Mont Blanc Tunnel into the Aosta Valley and ascending the to the glaciers of Monte Bianco. This will feature mixed climbing, crevasse rescue, and glacier travel as we climb a 3,500-meter peak. Access to the glaciers will be assisted by the Punta Hellbronner lift.
Day 3: Rope Work and Technique
We will focus on rope techniques while practicing our skills in the lower parts of the Mont Blanc massif. Instruction will include abseiling, single-pitch lines, and preparation for our final two days that include a stay in a mountain hut.
Day 4 to 5: Classic Alpine Expedition
We will head for the Dix Hut at 2,928 meters, with a traverse of the Pas de Chevre that features scrambling and climbing. After an evening in the hut, we will embark on a summit attempt of Pigne d’Arolla (3,790m) the next day. The views will consist of the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps, making for a high-quality mountaineering experience.
We will descend back through Arolla for lunch and then back to Chamonix to finish up our program.
What people are saying about Explore-Share
Man
Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!
Maxine
Luis Silva was a great climbing guide and belayer! He taught me how to do moves that were difficult and encouraged me to try routes that were challenging for me! Because of his encouragement, I managed to complete these routes! I really enjoyed the climbs and completed 8 routes in the Sesimbra/Azoia area. The weather was perfect, no direct sun and cool enough to enjoy the climbs. Explore-Share made booking an outdoor climbing experience in Lisbon extremely easy. Luis, our guide, was fantastic, and the platform’s organization was flawless.
Valeriya
You’re simply the best!!! :))) Explore-Share made everything easy and stress-free. Will definitely use again.
Joshua
We had Léo as a guide for our day climb in Fonty. We were blessed with a knowledgeable, warm, and instructive guide. Communication with Léo and Ivan was smooth and swift. Explore-Share was excellent in arranging everything for our day climb. The communication was quick, and the platform was easy to use, making our adventure stress-free.
Cami
Patrick was a great guide. He took us on an intermediate Via Ferrata at Passo Sella. Renato was quick to respond with any outreach on the Explore-Share platform. The booking process was straightforward, and once Patrick was confirmed, all went well. It was a wonderful experience, and I’d highly recommend the platform.
4.8
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