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
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...
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.
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.
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.
