Expedition training
INDIVIDUAL APPROACH
QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED TUTORS
LOCATION
SKILLS INSTRUCTION FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE AND COLD-WEATHER MOUNTAINEERING
Chamonix Experience mountain guides offer customised alpine and expedition training programs, especially designed for your specific goal. We will work with you to build on your previous experience and skills to improve your efficiency, safety and chances to reach the desired summit.
Chamonix Experience mountain guides have years of experience in expeditions and climbing the high-altitude itineraries. We have been on climbing expeditions, either with our clients or privately, such as ascents of the Aconcagua, Ama Dablam, Denali or various summits in Patagonia. Our guides will be delighted to pass on you their experience and skills needed for the particular summit you are aiming for.
We are based in Chamonix Mont-Blanc; the world capitol of mountaineering. We have the advantage of relatively easy and quick access to a high mountain environment with glaciers and 4000m peaks. This offers the perfect terrain where you can practice hand-on the high-mountain skills in relatively safe and stress-free environment.
Dream big! With enough of time and dedication, everything is possible.
From: 600 €
Intermediate
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Fitness level 4/5
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Dates on demand
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Guiding ratio 1:1 or 1:2
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Available year round
Learning outcomes
We will select the appropriate set of skills to teach you according to your previous experience and specific demands of your project. Here is a list of skills which most of you will need to learn:
- Crampon and Ice skills – good crampon and ice axe skills are essential for all mountaineering. These skills increase your safety during the ascent and descent as well as your chances of success by increasing the efficiency and reducing your energy loss during climbing.
- Safety skills on glaciers – understanding the glaciers and the hazards, rope skills and crevasse rescue
- Technical climbing skills on rock, ice and mixed terrain – get used to fats and safe movement on this kind of terrain. learn the safety skills and the rope work.
- Fixed ropes – ascending and descending techniques and safety skills.
- Navigation – use of maps, compass and GPS
- Camping and emergency bivouacs
- Climbing rescue and emergency retreat
- Acclimatisation and altitude sickness
Level requirements
Technical skills
As we create custom made programs, we accept beginners as well as experienced mountaineers. In fact, we have worked with many climbers who had none or very little mountaineering experience and skills. The minimum experience you need to have is trekking. You have to be happy to move efficiently over uneven terrain in big boots.
Physical fitness level
Prior arriving in Chamonix: Your first step in preparation for the expedition is physical training. You have to be physically strong with good stamina for hiking and climbing for 5 – 8 hours per day for consecutive days. You have to be used to carry a daypack during the climbs. Best way to prepare is regular running, swimming and biking. Essential is to do full day treks with climbs at least 1000 vertical meters. You can also train doing laps on stairs. We highly recommend to do this up and down hill training in big boots and carrying heavy back pack to build the right kind of fitness.
Additional services
Airport transfers
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well established airport transfer companies using new and comfortable vehicles, with the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
- Full name
- Mobile phone number
- Email address
- Your destination address
- Flight details (date, time and flight number)
SHARED TRANSFERS:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
PRIVATE TRANSFERS:
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door to door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.
Insurance
We don’t include travel & mountain rescue insurance in any of our courses but we strongly recommend that you have it. Mountain rescue may be very expensive, particularly if helicopters are involved. The travel insurance is essential in case you need medical treatment or you have to cancel your trip. Check with your travel insurance provider if you are covered for the specific activity you are going to do with us. Check the cancellation policy, under what cancellation circumstances your your investemnt into the trip is covered.
We can organise the mountain rescue insurance for you. Details of the insurance cover are different for EU and non-EU residents; please contact us for more information.
Equipment hire
We highly recommend that you book any equipment with us at least 2 weeks in advance as the hire shops can have limited availability in the busy season.
You can collect your equipment the evening before the start of the course and return it in the evening at the end of your course. We work with the following Chamonix ski hire and mountain shop:
• Concept Pro Shop that is conveniently located directly next door from our office. Open 7/7 08:00-19:00
Accommodation in Chamonix
If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.
Guide Fee
UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guide – a fully qualified and experienced Chamex guide will accompany you for the duration of your trip.
Local Transport
Any local transport that is required during your course.
Group Equipment
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Office Support
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Not included in price
Accommodation in Chamonix
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
Travel to Chamonix
The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.
Lift Passes
We will advise you on which lift passes you will need prior to your trip. If lift passes are required we can preorder them for you on request.
Personal Equipment
Please see the “Equipment” tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.
Food & Drink
The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.
Insurance
Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.