We
operate these UK based skills courses in May and
October / November each year, as these are the
key two pre-season months before the Alpine seasons. We
don't offer these courses at any other time of year, as
they are run by our Chamonix UIMLA guiding team who are
working in the Alpine region during the key seasons.
These
weekend courses are designed so that you do not need to
take any time off work, and yet maximise your learning
and also your achievements during the two day course.
The
aim of the weekends is to help train people to be more
safe and autonomous in the UK hills, and also to prepare
them better for trips to the Alps. The selection of the
right kit is essential for Alpine trips, and we focus
on this, and can advise on what kit you could buy.
A
secondary aim of these Alpine Preparation Weekends is
to help assess your Alpine fitness level, and to develop
it both on the course and in terms of advice for the
run up to your Alpine trip.
Your
teaching style and group leader-ship was excellent.
I learnt everything that I imagined that I needed
to know before my trip to the Alps, and some! Mike
Oldfield , Alpine Prep 2009
A
brilliant weekend, and though we were not blessed
with great weather, it was one of the best couple
of hill days I have had. Challenging but great Anthea
Smith , Alpine Prep 2009
A
tiring weekend, but essential for me to take stock
of my fitness, and to save me lots of money when
buying kit Susan
Timms, Alpine Prep 2008
Over
the two days you will be led over high mountainous terrain in
one of the UK national parks, with the aim of coaching you on
steep ground, developing your hill fitness, and building up
your mountain awareness. All of the course is outside based,
with no classroom sessions, to maximise your experience and
teaching. Don't worry though, there is plenty of time to pick
your instructors brains about equipment, and preparing for the
Alps.
All
the courses outlined below are guided by qualified International
Mountain Leaders, who have extensive experience leading groups
in the Alps and around the world on various expeditions. This
is your guarantee of the highest standards, and great access
to people who are used to guiding groups in the Alps throughout
the year. Be ready for long days, as we want you to get as much
as possible from these weekends. You can read more about our
guiding team by clicking on the logo on the right. For each
of these weekend courses we have a maximum instructor to client
ratio of 1:8, though operate the weekends from just one person,
so there are no minimum numbers!
Dates: 22
- 23 May 2010 (Lake District), 29 - 30 May 2010 (Snowdonia),
30 - 31 October 2010 (Lake District), 6 - 7 November 2010 (Lake
District). For current
availability on this course click
here.
Course
Photo Gallery
Who
the course is aimed at and key learning points
These
weekends are open to anyone planning a first trip to the
Alps in the near future. They are designed with Icicle
clients in mind, who are booked on a forthcoming course,
but these weekends are open to anyone.
A
secondary aim of the weekends is to build up your mountain
and cardio fitness for the Alps, and to offer suitable
training tips to ensure that you avoid picking up sports
training injuries before your trip.
Some
people attend these weekends as testers, to see if the
instructors feel that they have the fitness and good movement
on steeper ground to consider an attempt on harder climbs
such as the Matterhorn.
The
aim of the weekends are to tackle these key skills and
training concerns of people visiting the Alps for the
first time.....
1)
SPEED:
how best to move together
over steep and broken ground.
2)
WEATHER: predicting mountain weather from reports
& charts.
3)
EQUIPMENT: what to take, how
to pack it, what to wear.
4)
NAVIGATION: how to use a compass,
maps, & GPS.
5)
FITNESS:
to build up your specific hill fitness level.
Outline
course itinerary
SATURDAY
- Meeting at 08:30 for a quick briefing, and a day of moving
over steep ground. Also
you will start to cover the basics
of navigation. Usually on a day such as this there will be
at least one or two summits that you take in during the route.
When you descend you can discuss
any kit concerns with your instructor, for the equipment you
are planning on taking to the Alps. After this you
can meet up for food & drinks in town.
SUNDAY
- Another
day of walking on steep ground, with
the
instruction starting at 08:30, we
aim to end the
training by 16:00 so you can travel home. The focus for the
day is weather prediction,
more advanced navigation, and steep ground skills. At
the end of the day you have
the opportunity to get individual feedback and advice about
your Alpine plans and preparation / training.
Location
- The weekends are offered either in the Lake District or Snowdonia.
In the Lakes we usually operate in the Langdale region due to
the range of terrain found there, and in Snowdonia we normally
use the Moel Siabod and Glyders regions. Obviously the exact
choice is made in reaction to the prevailing weather and conditions,
but this is to give you an idea of where we usually choose to
go.
Accommodation
- This is not included in the course price to allow you to budget
efficiently and to select a level of comfort and accommodation
that you would like, though you can camp in either region for
approx £10pppn, stay in a local bunkhouse for approx £20pppn,
or stay in a B&B. When you book on one of these courses,
we provide details of local places you can book into.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
2
days guiding, based on group of up to 8
£99pp
Smaller
groups
5
per £119pp, 4 per £129pp, 3 per £149pp,
2 people £199pp, or just 1 person £349
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1)
Qualified leader for daily guiding and instruction, 2) All costs
and fees for the leader at the weekend, 3) The provision of
group safety kit (e.g. shelter & rope).
Exclusions:
1)
Travel to & from the national park for the weekend, 2) Equipment
hire such as boots or waterproofs, 3) Bar / food bills &
tips, laundry, telephone calls, 4) Accommodation.
Notes:
1:8
maximum ratio,
though we can provide multiple instructors for larger groups.
