Our base for this Alpine Training Course is in the Swiss Alpine village of Arolla, which provides some of the best introductory mountains in the Alps. They have everything to offer close at hand: rock, glaciers, ice, brilliant scenery and peaks such as La Luette (3548m), the Pigne d’Arolla (3796m), La Eveque (3716m) and Mont Blanc De Cheilon (3870m). Arolla is a very cost effective base as there are no extra costs for lifts or cable cars.
The Arolla Alpine Training course will focus on teaching the key skills required for safe and successful mountaineering in Alpine areas and will provide an excellent foundation for further Alpine courses and many of our expeditions. The skills taught through mountain days include: glacial travel, crevasse rescue, roping-up, ice axe & crampon technique and movement in Alpine terrain.
Previous Experience & Fitness
You should have a good level of fitness as Alpine Mountaineering can be very tiring. Normally we would expect you to be able to enjoy consecutive 7-8 hours days in the British mountains with a medium pack. No previous experience with crampons and ice axe is required.
Mont Blanc Extension
You can extend your stay in the Alps and transfer to Chamonix for a 4 day Mont Blanc extension, the highest peak in Western Europe. The previous course is essential to gain the acclimatisation required to climb Mt Blanc. To add this extension go to the Dates and Prices Tab and select the extension.
Saturday: Arrive in Chamonix and check into your hotel. Evening meeting with your Guide. (H, B)
Sunday:Â Go up to Cosmiques (3613m) or Goutier Hut using a variety of cable cars and trains
Monday:Â Ascent of Mont Blanc (4810m) and return to the hut or valley hotel
Tuesday:Â Reserve summit day or Cosmiques ArĂŞte etc
Wednesday:Â Breakfast and departure
Please note this is a suggested itinerary and the actual programme may change as a result of weather, conditions on the mountain, availability of mountain huts and individual levels of fitness. If due to any of these reasons a summit attempt is not possible then we usually switch are attentions to the Gran Paradiso or another similar objective. If any extra costs for accommodation, transport or food are incurred beyond the suggested itinerary then you will need to pay these directly.
Alan –
The mountain days were excellent, however a little more time to enjoy the view/take photographs would have been good. The roller part felt rushed. I would especially like to thank you for your patience, professionalism and care in arranging my itinerary which went like clockwork. I would certainly look to adventure peaks for future adventures. Thank you once again and best regards.