Mountaingirl

Intro to Mountaineering Weekends

28,28,30 August 2010 *UK Bank Holiday!
€950

"Climbing with Libby was fantastic. We gained all I could have hoped for from our three days, and more, including friendship. Both my daughters climbed well beyond our expectations and with pleasure and enthusiasm. Georgia [my daughter] told Libby: "You've transformed my attitude to climbing." I've gained the confidence I was seeking and the trip has spurred me on to do more leading. Thank you very much for putting us all together."
Peri Cheal, Guided by Libby Peter, May '09

Want to start mountaineering but don't know how to begin? Or, do you want to start off with good skills and a good technique that you can build on when you go out climbing with your friends? This is a fun long weekend course which will give you a great introduction into what Mountaineering and Alpinism is all about. (its bloody brilliant, we swear.) The course is suitable for complete beginners, and is a wonderful chance to just give it a try and see if you like it (And we really reckon you will.)

You will have three days guiding with one of our UIAGM mountain guides and learn skills that will give you a good solid foundation to continue developing, as well allow you a bit more freedom and knowledge to be able to get out on many more classic easy alpine routes. Your guide will only pick routes that are suitable for your experience and skill level, so don't worry that it will all be hard-core north face of Gasherbrum IV whatnot. You'll climb things that are gorgeous and challenging, but not too hard or exposed for your level of expereince.

Here's how the weekends go:

Day 1: Arrive in Chamonix, get settled in your accommodation. Go out for supper or drinks and meet your guide for the weekend.

Day 2: Early start, where you'll spend a day learning skills that will help you feel confident on your feet. You'll be shown how to walk properly in crampons on different terrain and slope angles, how to use an ice axe to not only stop a fall or a slide, but also learn other ways of using the axe that will help you move quickly and confidently on mixed ground, ice or snow. And, if you wish, you can have a chance to try a bit of ice climbing today, too.

Day 3:
You'll start to put into practice what you were taught yesterday. Depending on the conditions and weather, as well as your skills and preferences, you are likely to climb something like the Arrete de Cosmiques, which is one of the most gorgeous routes in the Alps. It's not technically very hard, but the terrain is mixed and very interesting, and the views are as memorable as the route itself.

Depending on the weather and your goals, you might stay tonight in a hut to start an early climb tomorrow. Or you will come back down to where the air is thicker in the Chamonix valley, and get ready for tomorrow.

Day 4:
Your last day, so your guide will choose a route for you that is especially beautiful and memorable. If you are staying in a hut, you will probably have an alpine start (very very early!) and attempt a nearby summit like Mt Blanc du Tacul. Or if more appropriate, your guide might suggest another route depending on your skills, fitness, and importantly, the weather conditions for the day. Either way, you will be able to put all your experience together for a final magical climb. After you descend to the valley, we usually meet all together so you can say goodbye to your guide (and it's nice to thank them by buying them a drink or a coffee if you want to.)

Some of you might be departing late tonight, but if you are departing Tuesday, you might want to go out for a meal with everyone to enjoy the afterglow of some gorgeous climbing.

Tuesday: Back home...

Skill Level: 0-1 Fitness Level: 1-2