Alpine Introduction
Duration 8 Days » Grade Introductory
 Climbing the Pigne D'Arolla Photo: © Andy Perkins
The Jagged Globe Alpine Introduction course provides a solid foundation for newcomers to mountaineering. The course teaches the skills necessary for safe, successful and enjoyable Alpine mountain adventures. It is also a lot of fun and on most weeks throughout the season, you can expect to take part in a course with eleven other participants. It's an opportunity to meet new people, make friends and to discuss future mountaineering plans, as well as to relax and enjoy what is meant to be a holiday!
After an initial day of glacier instruction, covering the essential basics of ice axe and crampon technique, we climb to a mountain hut and learn ropework for glacier travel, before an ascent to an Alpine summit. Typically, we have a valley-based day on Wednesday, when we will rock climb and work on more advanced rope skills, such as crevasse rescue, abseiling and fixed rope technique. Then we are back into the high mountains for another alpine ascent.
The course is based is Arolla in Switzerland, which we have chosen as being an ideal location for an introductory course. There is a superb variety of peaks in the area with suitable grade F and PD routes on them (learn more about Alpine Grades here).
Our highly-experienced guides spend a lot of the season doing several courses in Arolla and over the past ten years that we have been based here, they have built up a vast wealth of knowledge and experience of the mountains. They know what to do and when to do it, in order to take best advantage of the conditions.
What you will learn on this course will also provide you with the skills necessary to join an introductory level Jagged Globe expedition, as well as giving you the confidence to venture into the mountains on your own. Many course participants also choose to make an attempt of Mont Blanc, Western Europe's highest mountain, after their week in Arolla.
Women-friendly dates 2009
"Often women find it daunting to join a course when they are in the minority and feel that they have to keep the pace with their male team members. Knowing that there are other women on a course can often put you at ease immediately. Having myself run behind my male counterparts, I can understand the difficulties short legs and less weight-carrying capacity can be! However, in my experience, women generally perform equally well in the hills, once they are walking/climbing at their own pace." Adele Pennington, Jagged Globe
For 2009, we have earmarked two Alpine Introduction courses as 'women friendly'. These courses will not be exclusively for women, but we would hope that women might be attracted to these dates. Caroline Ogden and Julie-Ann Clyma will run both courses.
- Sat 20 Jun - Sat 27 Jun '09
- Sat 25 Jul - Sat 1 Aug '09
- Climb Mont Blanc Alpine Introduction Mont Blanc Extension... [read more]
Course base: Arolla, Switzerland
The skills taught and practised on the Alpine Introduction will include:
- Glacier travel.
- Crevasse rescue.
- Route finding and navigation.
- Roping-up and short roping techniques.
- Appropriate ice axe and crampon technique.
- Movement on Alpine terrain (rock, snow and ice).
- Belaying and protection.
- Choosing the right clothing and equipment
- Mountaineering on routes graded Alpine F to PD.
Possible mountain routes
Pointe de Vouassan (3,489m)
This is a good, introductory summit reached from the Aigulles Rouges Hut. The 'voie normale' via the left bank of the Aiguilles Rouges glacier valley (F) is an excellent climb for alpine novices on glaciated terrain, with a rocky summit.
Pigne d'Arolla (3,796m)
An ascent of the Pigne d'Arolla is a good introductory climb. The route via the ESE flank is on snow all the way and the summit gives wonderful views of our valley base of Arolla and, on a clear day, of the Mediterranean. This route from the Vignettes Hut takes approximately 2 hours. Alternatively, we may make a traverse of the mountain from the Dix Hut via the West Flank (F), descending the ESE flank back down to the valley.
Aiguille de la Tsa (3,668m)
A pinnacled peak, the Aiguille de la Tsa summit is reached by rock climbing on the east flank. The rock is superb and gives excellent climbing graded PD with passages of rock graded II/III+. There are slightly harder routes to the top but the rock is less reliable.
L'Eveque (3,716m)
L'Eveque is an elegant snow and rock peak, which is best approached from the Vignettes Hut. The NE ridge (PD) is a potential objective for the more proficient course members. From the Glacier du Mont Collon, the standard route weaves around crevasses to reach the steepingly north flank of the mountain. This face is an attractive sight from The Vignettes Hut as it catches the evening sun. There can be some icy sections to eventually reach the rocky summit. A couple of pitches lead to the summit, with superb views east towards the Matterhorn.
Mont Blanc de Cheilon (3,869m)
Although the name of Mont Blanc de Cheilon indicates that you are about to climb something akin to a "milk-pail", this mountain is, without doubt, the finest rock and ice peak in the Arolla district. The summit forms a pointed central hub with rock and ice ridges radiating like spokes on a wheel. We climb the mountain from via the normal route from the Dix Hut. This is a classic outing up the broad snow slopes of the WNW flank to meet the SW ridge. Narrow at first, the ridge becomes rocky and steepens up towards the summit, which provides memorable views west towards Mont Blanc.
Mont Brule (3,585m)
Mont Brule is a mass of snow and ice, which gives an easy but interesting introductory climb, graded PD-. Good positions lead along the West Ridge, undulating across a series of lesser tops until the summit is reached. The climbing is straightforward but always interesting as cornices along the ridge present special challenges that need to be negotiated with delicate climbing and sound judgement.
Tête Blanche (3,710m)
The Tête Blanche is a quick and easy peak to get "in the bag". One of a series of summits along the By-Valsorey-Velan frontier ridge which gives excellent views all around, especially of the Matterhorn.
Tête de Valpelline (3,799m)
The Tête de Valpelline was one of many peaks to fall as a first ascent to Edward Whymper in 1866. The North Side climb to the top can be attempted from the Col de Valpelline, which grades the route PD- overall. Alternatively, it can be climbed at the same grade from the Aosta Hut.
Typical Programme
Please note that the course is flexible. We are not restricted by hut bookings and the guides will make the best of the weather and conditions in the mountains, of which they have an intimate knowledge.
| Day 1: | Saturday.
Course participants meet at the course base at 7pm. Briefing on the week's activities in the evening. |
| Day 2: | Sunday.
Ecole du Glace. Essential skills training: use of ice axe, crampons and roping-up for glacier travel. |
| Day 3: | Monday.
Ascend to the Aiguille Rouge Hut. From the hut, we practise rope-work for the climb, belaying and crampon technique. |
| Day 4: | Tuesday.
Climb the Pointe de Vouasson (3,489m). After the summit, descend to the valley base. |
| Day 5: | Wednesday.
Technical training day, including rock climbing, abseiling and advanced rope-work such as jumaring and improvised rescues. |
| Day 6: | Thursday.
Mountain walk to the Bertol Hut, Dix Hut or Vignettes with continuing mountain skills practice. |
| Day 7: | Friday.
Climb the Aiguille de la Tsa, Mont Blanc de Cheilon or Pigne d'Arolla. |
| Day 8: | Saturday.
Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before you leave the course. For those joining the Mont Blanc Extension, a private transfer leaves after breakfast to take you to our hotel in Chamonix (cost included). |
Find out more about our Course bases, Course Inclusions and Exclusions, Course Directors and Guiding Ratios... [read more]
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