Alpine Climber

Overview

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Introduction

Our Alpine Climber week is a new course designed for those with Alpine experience to tackle some of the more challenging routes in the Mont Blanc Massif, Swiss Valais or even further afield. The guiding ratio of 1 Guide to 2 climbers opens up a wide range of exciting climbs on rock, ice and mixed terrain.

The week begins in Chamonix with the Guides assessing your technical skills and fitness. The option is then to travel to another valley base, with the decision based on weather/conditions and course participants’ aspirations for the week. Increasingly, flexibility is the key to a successful week in the Alps and this new course design is a reaction to that. We’re not tied for an entire week to Chamonix, where options can be limited if conditions aren’t on our side.

The ‘Example Programme’ gives an idea of how the week might be structured with a range of possible routes listed on page 3. To get the most from this course you are advised to be fit and be confident seconding rock up to UK Hard Severe and snow and ice up to Scottish Grade III. However, those booking as pairs can be catered for, whatever grade they climb.

Course start point: Chamonix, France

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Possible Mountain Routes

Dent du Geant (4,013m)
This is a fine rock spire on the frontier ridge between France and Italy, close to the Grandes Jorasses. The normal route is on rock (AD) and is in a tremendous situation overlooking the Mer de Glace and the Val d'Aosta. The approach is on snow, and can be extended to include the superb Rochefort Arete, thus taking in another 4,000m peak.

Aiguille du Peigne (3,192m)
The Papillons Arete is a short but superb rock climb on a fine arête overlooking Chamonix. The climbing can be quite hard (Grade V) but it's low altitude means it can be climbed in a day from Chamonix, and when the weather is poor in the higher mountains.

South Face of the Aiguille du Midi (3,842m)
Easily accessed from the cable car, the immaculate granite of the South Face of the Midi provides up to 10 pitches of climbing. The perfect arena for improving your technical climbing.

Breithorn (4,164m) - A Half Traverse via the East Ridge (AD-)
This excellent outing crosses the Central and Western Summits via the rocky East Ridge in fine situations. From the Klein Matterhorn station, we follow the standard route to the Breithornpasse (3,824m) before descending across the Gde Verra Glacier beneath the SSW Spur of the Cental Summit. Snow slopes lead to the col at 4,022m, for where we climb the stepped East Ridge to the Central Summit, continuing along the ridge to the West Summit.

Zinal Rothorn (4,221m) - by the South East Ridge (AD-)
One of the finest mountains in the Valais, the Zinal Rothorn should be on the 'tick list' of any aspiring alpine climber. The South East Ridge offers superb rock climbing in its upper section on solid gneiss. From the Rothorn Hut (3,198m), we go up the Rothorn Glacier and climb scree and gullies to access an easy snow ridge. This leads to the rocky terraces, which cross the south face to the Gabel Notch on the SW Ridge. From here superb rock climbing, includnig the crux 'Biner Slab' leads to the summit.

Lagginhorn – South-South West Ridge (AD)
Approached from the Hohass Hut, you will need crampons to cross the glacier to acces the Lagginjoch. From here it’s a long, committing and sustained rock scramble, with some steeper crux sections and short abseils. Descent is relatively quick via the Normal Route.

Dent Blanche (4,358m)
One of the most sought-after peaks in the Alps, the coveted South Ridge needs dry conditions and a fit team. It’s a 3-day outing from the valley, approaching from Ferpècle. If we go with this option there could be time to do some cragging on the way back to Chamonix on Friday.

Wiwannihorn (3,001m)
Located in the Swiss Valais, a less committing mountain with a superb hut that can be reached in 90 minutes from the valley. Long multi-pitch rock routes, with stunning views. Ostgrat (5a) is a firm favourite with Guides.

Example Programme

Day 1:	Saturday. Course participants meet at the course base 7pm. Discuss the week's activities in the evening.
Day 2:	Sunday. Day climb from Chamonix. Traverse of the Aiguilles des Crouchues or a multi-pitch alpine rock climb in the Aiguilles Rouges.
Day 3:	Monday. Cable car to Aiguille du Midi. Rock climb on the South Face. Cross the Vallee Blanche and overnight at the Torino Hut.
Day 4:	Tuesday. Climb the Dent du Geant (4,013m). Descend to Chamonix.
Day 5:	Wednesday. Drive to Saas Grund. Cable car to Kreuzbodensee. Ascent of the Jegihorn (3,206m) via the route, Alpendurst (4C) or Sudgrat (5b). Walk to and overnight at Hohass Hut.
Day 6:	Thursday. Climb the South Ridge of the Lagginhorn (4,010m, Alpine AD).
Day 7:	Friday. Early morning drive to Zermatt (1 hour) if you have been climbing in Saas the day before. Cable car to Klein Matterhorn. Traverse of the Breithorn (AD).
Day 8:	Saturday. Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before climbers leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Guides and Ratios, Alpine Grading and Equipment... 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.

Dates & Prices

Date	Meeting in		Availability
Sat 20 Jun – Sat 27 Jun 2026	Chamonix		full Enquire »
Head of Course Pierre Beuscar Course Guide/Instructor Tim Oliver	£2,695
Sat 4 Jul – Sat 11 Jul 2026	Chamonix		full Enquire »
Head of Course Tina Di Batista Course Guide/Instructor Boris Lorencic	£2,695
Sat 1 Aug – Sat 8 Aug 2026	Chamonix		Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Head of Course Andy Owen Course Guide/Instructor Fernando Arnaudi 1 place left	£2,695
Sat 5 Sep – Sat 12 Sep 2026	Chamonix		Trip Guaranteed Book now »
Head of Course Greg Sauget Last 3 places	£2,695
Sat 19 Jun – Sat 26 Jun 2027	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,795
Sat 3 Jul – Sat 10 Jul 2027	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,795
Sat 31 Jul – Sat 7 Aug 2027	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,795
Sat 4 Sep – Sat 11 Sep 2027	Chamonix		Available Book now »
	£2,795

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Group size: 2 – 8 people.

Single room supplement: £275

For comparison, this course starts from £385 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

What the price includes

• 4 nights' hotel accommodation in Chamonix on a twin-sharing (occasionally triple/quad), half-board basis
• 3 nights' mountain hut/gite/local hotel accommodation in a shared dormitory bunk, half-board basis
• 6 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, harnesses & helmets, 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
• Cable cars, mountain railways and mechanical uplift (estimated cost £150)
• Personal climbing equipment and clothing (including boots, which can be hired locally)
• Mountaineering and travel Insurance

Please note that the costs for mechanical up-lift (for example, cable cars, chairlifts and mountain railways) are not included in the overall course cost because these will vary, depending on the valley based, weather and routes selected. This means that we are not restricted by a budget. Also, if we spend less on up-lift than expected, you make the saving rather than us.

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Reviews

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• ‘A superbly guided course, all credit to Andy for creating a relaxed environment and gently pushing grades, decision making and technique.’ DS, Chamonix Climber, Aug/Sep '16
• ‘Consistently fabulous guides, excellent logistics, rock solid admin support.’ PD
• ‘Guides were well organised, professional and helpful.’ RT
• ‘Great group, superb guides.’ GM
• ‘Andy offered a better variety of routes than I expected. He inspired confidence and pushed us hard when we needed it! Above all, he was good company and fun to be with.’ JS

Leader Reports

• Chamonix Climber - 29 June to 6 July 2019
  “Alex and Michael are very keen to try the Matterhorn next year, so we used the Chamonix Climber week as a good preparation for it. The first few days the weather wasn't ideal with electrical storms threatening, so we stayed on...”
  report added 08/Jul/19

Travel & Venue

Fly to Geneva. A 1-hour airport transfer to Chamonix can be booked through Jagged Globe via your on-line account.

Valley accommodation in Chamonix is in La Chaumière Mountain Lodge. 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.