Two Mountaineering Courses That Will Make You a Better Climber

“Learning the basics can be tough especially if you have some experience in mountaineering. It may feel like it’s taking a step backwards if you’ve been to Elbrus, Aconcagua, Island Peak or the Mont Blanc but nothing can be further from the truth.”

So you’ve caught the mountain bug and you’re wondering where to get started in the world of glaciers, ropes and alpine summits? Here are two entry level courses that we believe are essential for anyone seeking to go beyond mindless jumaring in the mountains.

INTRODUCTION TO ALPINE MOUNTAINEERING

Learning the basics can be tough especially if you have some experience in mountaineering. It may feel like it’s taking a step backwards if you’ve been to Elbrus, Aconcagua, Island Peak or the Mont Blanc but nothing can be further from the truth. This is a course for those of us who don’t want to learn how to use a prusik when we’re already in a crevasse and don’t want self-arrest to be the only technical skill we know! Trust me; if you’re sliding you’ve already made way too many preventable mistakes that a cursory knowledge of the basics would have prevented.

On this course you’ll learn crampon techniques over mixed grades of incline, rope management and manipulation, rock climbing for mountaineers, crevasse management and rescue, and glacier navigation. There are no fixed ropes in alpine mountaineering.

By the end of the course you should be confident to make independent decisions on F and PD grade climbing and share leadership of your expedition with a guide or an experienced amateur climber.

“Our level two course is designed for those of us who have determined that mixed grade mountaineering is the trajectory we’d like to take.”

This course is fully practical with a minimum of two summit attempts in the Ecrins included as part of the itinerary. This is the course for anyone seeking a solid foundation to build a safer and more enjoyable alpine experience.

THE MATTERHORN: ALPINE MIXED COURSE

Our level two course is designed for those of us who have determined that mixed grade mountaineering is the trajectory we’d like to take. Mixed grade mountaineering is climbing on ridges, rocks and ice on higher grades of climbing. On this course we’ll learn the basics of mixed grade climbing with the aim of ultimately summiting the Matterhorn safely and comfortably as part of the practical portion of this experience.

By the end of the course, team members will have the confidence to use crampons on a mix of rock and ice, be able to pitch comfortably using different techniques and anchors and learn complicated navigation practices for AD graded routes. The course includes at least one summit prior to the Matterhorn such as Tour Ronde or Mon Viso.

Joiners on this course must demonstrate a proficiency in basic climbing techniques on the first day of the experience. If you are unsure if you meet these pre-requisites please reach out to us on info@lifehappensoutdoors.com . This course ideally follows our Introduction to Alpine Mountaineering course.

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