Alpine Ice Long Weekend

Overview

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Introduction

**NEW Monday - Thursday course 7 - 10 February**
Our Alpine Ice Long Weekend courses involve three days of action-packed ice climbing around Chamonix and Cogne. The course starts and finishes in Chamonix, which can be easily reached in less than one hour by taxi transfer from Geneva Airport (booked through Jagged Globe). Then it's full-on to climb as much water ice as possible over the three days. The courses finishes after climbing on the final day (although we can arrange an extra hotel night for you). Please note that ice climbing can be busy over the weekend, so expect very early starts to get ahead of the pack!

Read an article published in Trek and Mountain about this course

Whatever the level of climbing, we are looking at safety on ice, including:

• Avalanche awareness
• Placing ice protection
• Organisation of belays
• Rope techniques
• Abseiling off ice anchors
• Steep ice techniques
• Leading (for those ready for it)

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Experience Required

This course is guided at 1:2 ratio. Everyone from beginners to experienced climbers can enjoy icefall climbing. Climbers are paired according to their abilities and ambitions. You do not need to have previous ice climbing experience, you just need to be able to abseil (which can be learnt in the UK on one of our Rock Introduction Weekends).

Preparation

To climb icefalls and enjoy the experience, you need good basic level of fitness and to be reasonably determined. Indoor climbing will help to tone muscles and improve your grip strength, as well as training your balance and overall agility.

Typical Programme

Day 1:	Friday. Course participants meet at the course base 7pm. Discuss the weekend's activities in the evening.
Day 2:	Saturday. Climbing in the Chamonix Valley at one of the classic venues such as La Crémerie where there is a selection of Water Ice Grade II and III routes to get you started. Transfer to Cogne in the evening. Overnight at Hotel La Barme.
Day 3:	Sunday. Climbing in Cogne. The aim will be to do one of the classic multi-pitches, such as Cascades de Lillaz (WI3+). Return to Chamonix after climbing. Overnight hotel.
Day 4:	Monday. Climbing in Chamonix or just across the border in Switzerland. The course finishes after climbing (4pm at the latest) on Monday.

Equipment

Technical ice tools (Charlet Moser Quarks) and rigid crampons (Charlet Moser M10) are included in the price of the Alpine Ice course. We will send you a detailed equipment list once you have booked.

Guides

The Alpine Ice courses are directed by Andy Owen, who has many years' experience of climbing ice in these areas. Andy is joined each winter by a core of Guides, including Jim Kerr, Tomaz Jakofcic, Paul Moores and Neil Brodie... read more

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the course or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

What the price includes

• 2 nights hotel accommodation in Chamonix on a twin-sharing (occasionally triple/quad), half-board basis
• 1 nights hotel accommodation in Cogne on a twin-sharing (occasionally triple/quad), half-board basis
• 3 days guiding with a qualified IFMGA Mountain Guide. Ratio 1:2 maximum
• Transport (by public means, private hire vehicle, minibus or guides' cars) to fulfil the course programme
• Group mountaineering equipment such as ropes and other technical equipment
• Ice axes & crampons, when booked in advance

What the price does not include

• Travel to/from Chamonix (a shared transfer from Geneva Airport can be booked through Jagged Globe)
• Lunch
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing (including harness, helmets and boots, which can be hired locally)
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

Photos & Videos

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Travel & Venue

The course starts and finishes in Chamonix. We recommend that you fly to Geneva. A 50 minute airport transfer to Chamonix can be booked through Jagged Globe via your on-line account.

Accommodation in Chamonix is in La Chaumière Mountain Lodge. In Cogne, we stay at Hotel La Barme. The accommodation is provided on a twin-share (or occasionally, triple/quad), half-board basis. A single room supplement is payable should you want to have a room to yourself and is dependent on availability.