Top & Technique - basic alpine skills (Espace Mont Blanc)

Mountaineering introduction course with summit climbing

During this intensive introduction course in rock and ice you'll learn all the elements of the real climbing work with the aim of climbing some mountain peaks.

You'll learn to climb independently in rope groups of 2 or 3 persons. All basic techniques in rock, snow and ice are discussed and practised. You'll learn to walk across blocks and snowfields, rock climbing techniques with climbing shoes and dealing with ropes. Route selection, cramponing techniques, crevass rescue, fall techniques with and without ice axes and abseiling make all part of the programme.

During day trips we pay attention to tour planning (map and GPS), orientation (compass, altimeter, GPS), weather science, alpine dangers and materials science. This course is intended for sports enthusiasts who want to go off the beaten track and to be trained by experienced IFMGA certified mountainguides under the motto: learning by doing.

We start the week on Monday morning at Bekker Mountain Chalet in Finhaut, on the edge of the Mont Blanc massif. The climbing rocks are around the corner and can be easily reached by car or after a short drive. In case the weather is bad, we have a climbing gym at only 200m from the lodge! The first day we will be busy with knots, rope techniques in rock etc and sleep in a hut above the dam of Emosson. On the 2nd day we'll practice in snow and ice at the glacier near Grands Montets in Argentière and stay another nigght at our own lodge in Finhaut with sauna and hottub, great food and a hot shower and good bed. 

The next day we depart from Finhaut by car to the beautiful Val d'Anniviers, the Moiry Dam to be exact. From here we hike up to the glacier, where we excercise next to the ultramodern Cabane de Moiry. Here we will install ourselves for the next two nights. There is a perfect practice area in ice and rock next to the hut and we can climb a number of peaks such as the Pigne de la Lé (3396m) and the Pointe de Bricola (3658m) with stunning views of the Dent Blanche and the Matterhorn. After the descent to the valley we close the week with a night and a nice traditional raclettte in the Bekker Chalet.