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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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For
those with a little previous climbing experience,
the Mont Blanc Intermediate course is the Alpine
Autonomy Course with the Mont Blanc Summits course
on the end to give a good chance of summitting Mont
Blanc. |
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Over
two weeks you attempt famous Alpine routes, such
as the remote Domes du Miages, and train and acclimatise
for your ascent of Mont Blanc. There are up to three
nights in huts to acclimatise. |
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On
the second week of this course, we are as flexible
as possible with the itinerary so that, if you feel
ready, fit and acclimatised, you can make your summit
attempt on the first weather window. |
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The
technical content will be tailored to build on your
current experience, with an emphasis on glacier
travel and crevasse rescue on both dry and wet glaciers.
The course also covers a whole host of ropework
and Alpine safety issues such as avalanche awareness,
belays and anchors, crampon and ice axe techniques. |
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This
course is set at just above the level of the Introduction
course (summer or winter), so if you have a bit
too much experience (such as previous rock climbing
experience) this course is for you. The vast majority
of the routes ascended are of the Alpine PD grade
(roughly equivalent to Scottish Grade II/III). |
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The
second week is focused on you preparing and summitting
Mont Blanc, with other summits and nights spent
at altitude to increase acclimatisation. There is
a dedicated information page for Mont Blanc: summit
focus. |
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On
the second week of this course, we are deliberately
as flexible as possible with the itinerary so that,
if you feel ready, fit and acclimatised, you can
make your summit attempt on the first available
weather window during this second week. |
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Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and they
show the live availability from our secure online
booking system. When you book online, you receive
immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information
Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice. |
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Course
pre-requisites for 2012 are upgraded: For this
season we have increased the technical instruction
element of this course, and explanded the range
of routes that could be climbed during the week.
As a result, we have upgraded the pre-requisite
skills and experience requirements for anyone booking
on this to have;
Crampons - have used crampons, even for winter
skills / walking
Rock
- if no outdoor rock experience, to be a capable
scrambler
Ropework
- be able to tie on to a rope, and to belay safety
Fitness
- to be able to run a half marathon in a sub 1hr
45 time |
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Course Dates
Mont Blanc Autonomy
- [5+] 3 - 16 Jun 2012
- [ 3 ] 17 - 30 Jun 2012
- [ 2 ] 1 - 14 Jul 2012
- [ 4 ] 22 Jul - 4 Aug 2012
- [ 0 ] 5 - 18 Aug 2012
- [5+] 19 Aug - 1 Sep 2012
- [5+] 2 - 15 Sep 2012
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| Client
feedback |
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Good
organisation. Plenty of information and
skills learnt from Guides and instructors.
Felt very confident of suggestions and recommendations
of routes. Very useful course for learning
autonomy in the Alps. Gained lots of skills
useful for climbing in a small unguided
team
Ryan
D , Mont Blanc Autonomy
2010
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Thank
you all for your assistance with our group,
and many compliments from us all on the
structure itinerary
Josephine
T ,
MB Autonomy
2009
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Brief
Course Itinerary
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Sunday
Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed
by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is
time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings
are over by 19:00 and the team accompany the group to
pre-dinner drinks. Many clients opt to travel out a day
or two early to do a two day acclimatisation weekend course
to provide an extra night in a hut, and to ascend a 3000m
peak. Night in Chamonix. |
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Monday
Day
to learn and practice using crampons and ice axes on the
Mer de Glace glacier (2000m). You also climb vertical
ice, create ice anchors, and learn glacier travel skills.
This is one of your most important days of the course
in terms of skills development as it is essential to have
good footwork on Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max).
Evening theory session on the key safety knots and ropework.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Tuesday
Alpine ridge route,
such as the Traverse of Aiguille du Crochues, to focus
on ropework, moving together, anchors, and the assessment
of objective dangers. The
route chosen for this day is generally a mixed route that
is ascended in mountain boots rather than in rock shoes.
Guiding ratio 1:3 (max). Evening session on Alpine weather
prediction and the effects of mountains. Night in Chamonix. |
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Wednesday
Today
you really progress your altitude snowskills with an ascent
of another peak, such as the Petite Aiguille Verte, and
all skills previously learnt will be tested. This style
of route will really work on your crampon skills and the
selection of snow belays on steeper ground. Guiding ratio
1:3 (max).
Evening session on climbers crevasse rescue and emergency
hoist systems. Night in Chamonix. |
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Thursday
The
start of a two day route with a night in a mountain hut,
or a day route. It's up to you to decide the itinerary
for the last two days of this course. Typically groups
ascend the Domes du Miages, Aiguille du Tour, Petite Forche,
or Mont Blanc du Tacul, and the route chosen is a reflection
of your autonomy skills development and of the weather
and mountain conditions.
Guiding ratio 1:3 (max).
Night in mountain hut. |
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Friday
If
you opted for a two day route, then today will be an Alpine
start from the mountain hut to ascend one of the peaks
mentioned on the previous day, or it could also be another
day route if you have opted for that. After the main ascent
of the week, you descend back to the Chamonix valley.
Guiding ratio 1:3 (max).
Evening instruction session, then a celebratory meal,
with the final night spent in Chamonix. |
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Saturday
Breakfast, then week one debrief, with feedback and questions
and answers session. Some people opt to book a tandem
paraglider flight in the morning to celebrate the weeks
efforts, and prices for this are from 90€ for a c.30
minute flight. These flights can be booked in resort up
to the day before you wish to fly. You have the rest of
the day as free time to ascend cable cars to acclimatise,
or to rest and explore town. |
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Sunday
Day off in Chamonix, to spend as you wish visiting the
numerous tourist attractions, or resting and preparing
your kit for the second week. Everyone meets for the second
week briefing at 17:00 followed by and course safety and
itinerary briefings. There is time for kit checks or rental
of equipment. Briefings are over by 19:00 and the team
accompany the group to pre-dinner drinks. Night in Chamonix. |
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Monday
Day
for further practice using crampons and ice axes on the
Mer de Glace glacier (2000m). You also climb vertical
ice, create ice anchors, and learn glacier travel skills.
This is one of your most important days of the course
in terms of skills development as it is essential to have
good footwork on Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max).
Evening theory session on the key safety knots and ropework.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Tuesday
Acclimatisation
route to a summit. Continue to a mountain hut for the
night or return to Chamonix. The aim is to develop your
skills at altitude. The choice of the 1 or 2 day routes
is made in reaction to which day you attempt Mont Blanc,
as we can alter the itinerary to maximise your chances.
Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Evening
session on Alpine weather prediction and the effects of
mountains. Night in Chamonix. |
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Wednesday
Acclimatisation
route to a summit. Either an Alpine start from the mountain
hut or a second acclimatisation route. Typical routes
for the last two days include Cosmiques Arete, Gran Paradiso,
Petite Verte, Pointe Lachenal or Aiguille du Tour. Return
to Chamonix to prepare for Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:2
(max). Evening session
on climbers crevasse rescue and emergency hoist systems.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Thursday
Equipment
and bag checks before you set off to climb up to one of
the high huts, either the Cosmiques or the Gouter / Tête
Rousse hut for the night. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). The
choice of route that you take on Mont Blanc, and which
hut(s) you stay in is a function of the weather, conditions,
and your skills and fitness. Often different teams suit
different plans to maximise their summit chances. Night
in hut on Mont Blanc. |
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Friday
Summit
Mont Blanc 4810m from an Alpine start from the high hut,
and descend to Chamonix. It
is usual to reach the summit just after sunrise, to take
advantage of the best snow conditions, and to minimise
the risks of stonefall or late afternoon storms. Reach
valley afternoon, celebrations in the evening. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max).
Evening instruction session, then a celebratory meal,
with the final night spent in Chamonix. |
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Saturday
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most arrange
their airport transfers to leave around this time, to
catch a flight from Geneva about midday.
Depart for home. Some
people opt to book a tandem paraglider flight in the morning
to celebrate the weeks efforts, and prices for this are
from 90€ for a c.30 minute flight. These flights
can be booked in resort up to the day before you wish
to fly. Depart for home. |
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| ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures
are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly we are
forced to alter the plans. If this is the case, suitable alternatives
are offered. Please use this outline itinerary as a guide to
the types of route / activity that you will attempt. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Course
Prices
Alpine
Autonomy course (£899) followed by Mont Blanc Summits
course (£1349), totals £2248, so you save £149!
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Standard
course
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10
days guiding, 14 days holiday in total |
£2099 |
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Premium
course
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12
days guiding, 14 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£2198 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide for ten
days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings,
3) B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings & towels),
4) Up to three nights half board in mountain hut (inc. costs
for guides), two nights of which are paid for by Icicle, 5)
Pre course information booklet, 6) Equipment discount voucher
for UK shops, 7) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet,
8) Road transport in Chamonix valley, 9) Icicle discounts privilege
card for reductions in local shops and restaurants in Chamonix.
10) Evening technical instruction, 11) Icicle expedition kit
bag for FREE (see below). |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Cable
cars & uplift (c. 120 euros depending on itinerary), 4)
Optional third night in a mountain hut on a half board basis
for you and guide, 5) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches,
evening meals in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts
/ hotels / restaurants, 6) Road transport outside Chamonix valley
(not usually required), 7) Sunday pre-dinner drinks & Friday
celebratory meal & drinks, 8) Activities insurance, &
excess baggage charges. |
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Icicle
expedition kit bag for FREE
All those booking on this
course are entitled to a free Icicle expedition kit bag.
This tough c.75 litre capacity kit bag is designed for
full expedition usage and is made out of durable and waterproof
rip-proof material. It normally retails at £50.
Postage within the UK is included in the prices. If you
live overseas, it's not a problem at all. We'll let you
know the price for postage. Want a second bag? Order another,
click
here. |
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| Upgrade
options |
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Acclimatisation
Weekend
£99
(throughout the season) |
To
get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential
so that you minimise the chances of AMS (altitude sickness)
later on during your course,
details. |
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Half
Board Upgrade
£99
(per week ) |
For
every night that you are in town, you eat in a different
restaurant in the centre of Chamonix. Always three courses,
to power you for the next day. |
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Private
Room Upgrade (pw)
£150 (subject to
availability) |
The
course accommodation is usually in rooms of two sharing.
Two people booking / sending forms together are guaranteed
a room of two sharing. This upgrade guarantees you a private
room on
your own for your course. |
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