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inspirational mountain adventures
 
 
 
 
UK Alpine Preparation & Training Weekends
 
Introduction to training
Training preparations
Types of exercise to consider

Icicle training planners
UK training courses
Alpine fitness boot camps
Alpine trail running
Trail running courses
Trail running advice
Practising skills for moving over steep ground
Course overview

Client feedback

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.

Over the two days you are led over high mountainous terrain in the Lake District national park, 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 kit, and preparing for the Alps.
All these courses are guided by qualified UIMLA International Mountain Leaders, who guide Icicle groups in the Alps, so they are more than capable of advising you on how best to prepare between your UK based training, and a future trip to the Alps. You can read more about our guiding team by clicking on the logo on the right.
To get the latest weather forecast for the Lake District, click the Adobe logo for the PDF from the MWIS, or the mobile logo if on the move.
Big thank you for 2 great days out in the Lakes this week. Days to remember - incredible winds on Monday and huge confidence booster for me ( Langdale Horseshoe) on Tues - far more than I'd have attempted myself but it paid off and I remain intact (just). Looking forward to the MB attempt in Sept!
Simon R , Alpine Prep 2011
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
Course dates & availability
Course Dates
UK Alpine Preparation Weekend
  • [ 0 ] 19 - 20 May 2012
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In terms of the previous climbing experience, we rate this course as , for details click here, and for the level of fitness and stamina we recommend for this course as , for details click here.
Be ready for long days, as we want you to get as much as possible from these weekends. 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!
Lake District weather forecast

Options for private guiding in the Lakes

If our scheduled course dates are fully booked, we also offer private guiding options for any group size. The prices for private guiding are detailed below, and this can be booked on any day or days that suits you during May, October or November. All you need to do to book this private guiding is to contact us with your prefered date(s), and then complete an online booking form.
Number of clients
1 to 4 per
Extra pers (to 8 max)
Full day (to 7 hrs)
£120
+ £10pp
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 in the English Lake District. In the Lakes we usually operate in the Langdale region due to the range of terrain found there. 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. Links to some options are below...
  New Dungeon Ghyll hotel www.dungeon-ghyll.co.uk

Meeting - The meeting point for both the scheduled courses and private guiding is in front of the Sticklebarn pub at New Dungeon Ghyll at 08:30 on the first day of guiding. The OS grid reference is 296064. Ensure you arrive on time, as there is very poor phone signal in the valley.

  Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel www.odg.co.uk
  Millbeck Farm B&B www.millbeckfarm.co.uk
  Sticklebarn bunkhouse www.langdaleweb.co.uk
  NT Langdale campsite
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Equipment - You need to bring the following kit and clothing: walking boots, gaiters, walking trousers, wicking base layer top, mid layer jacket, waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves and waterproof gloves, hat / cap, rucksack, packed lunch and snacks, drink, sunglasses, suncream, telescopic walking poles, blister kit, map (1:25000 scale Ordnance Survey OL6 South-western Lake District), compass, mobile phone.
Course Prices
Standard course
2 days guiding, based on group of up to 8.
These prices are for scheduled course
dates whilst spaces remain available.
£99pp
Secure online booking system
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.