Dry
Tooling & Mixed Climbs 2022 |
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| Course
overview |
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If
you are a highly competant ice climber seeking
the next challenge, dry tooling and mixed
routes are next. This course is run over a
week, with 1:1 guiding throughout. |
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From
its beginnings as a way of accessing ice by
crossing sections of rock to reach the next
icicle, it has developed as a sport in its
own right, requiring good balance, co-ordination
and flexibility. |
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Those with a good level of technical rock
climbing may find the style of movement similar,
as you use small cracks, holds and ledges
for support. Technical ice axes and crampons
are essential, and there are usually the skills
of torquing and axe stein pulls involved. |
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Apart
from valley routes you can also try this style
of climbing on altitude Alpine routes, such
as the Goulotte Cosmiques or the Contamine
routes on the North Face of Mont Blanc du
Tacul. |
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This
course is led by one of our most talented
dry tooling Guides who can climb M7 minimum,
so you are guaranteed to be pushed to the
very limits of your capability. |
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On
demand: if
no scheduled course dates are showing in the
column on the right, we can still operate
a course on demand for just one person booking,
on any dates that suit from January through
until the end of April, arriving Sunday and
departing Saturday. |
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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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Brief
Course Itinerary
The
itinerary is flexible to cater for your previous experience,
and aspirations. The itinerary below is a guideline for
the week long dry tooling / mixed course, and gives examples
of what you could also achieve. |
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Travel
to Chamonix to arrive for the 18:00 check-in followed
by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There
is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings
are over by 20:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany
the group to
pre-dinner drinks to answer any queries.
Night in Chamonix. |
| Mon |
Refresh
your ice climbing skills on valley waterfall ice,
with mixed sections, such as Cremerie icefalls.
Also practice placement of ice screws, runners &
screamers, building anchors and leading. Night in
Chamonix. |
| Tue
& Wed & Thu |
For
these three days you can learn to to push your
climbing grade on mixed and dry sections. These
climbs can either be valley based, or can be climbs
accessed by the altitude cable cars. There is
also the opportunity to climb in nearby Val de
Cogne, Italy (one hour drive). Small guiding ratios
at a maximum of 1:2 give you the opportunity to
climb technical routes at the highest grade you
can find, whilst developing your technique on
different types of mixed or ice columns.
Popular climbs in Chamonix valley include: The
gorge d'Arveyron, Chatelard, & Argentiere
Icefalls
Popular climbs in Val
de Cogne include: Repentance (V+), Cold
Couloir, Lau Bij, Ice Files, etc
On Thursday evening you return to Chamonix to
allow you an early start on Friday for another
route. |
| Fri |
A
day to use your increased
confidence and technique for a more difficult mixed
or ice route in the Chamonix valley, such as Grade
VI Icelander or Megeve.
Night spent in Chamonix. |
| Sat |
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most
arrange their transfers for around this time for
a flight from Geneva about midday. |
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
Prices |
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1:1
ratio course |
5
full days IFMGA guiding, 1:1 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday |
£1999 |
Live
availability |
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain
Guide for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for
logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course information
booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops,
5) Six nights self-catered accommodation in Chamonix,
(inc. bedding & towels), 6) Chamonix Free 36
page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Road
transport in Chamonix valley, 9) Logistics support. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (approx
£30), 3) 3) Equipment hire, 4) Personal laundry,
telephone calls, lunches, evening meals, & any
purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
5) Sunday pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory
meal & drinks, 6) Activities insurance, &
excess baggage charges. |
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Standard
course accommodation - normally clients are based
in self-catered flats (details),
so take a look, and decide if it's for you. For
more luxury, contact us for quotes in higher standard
apartments, or hotels of any standard required.
If you have / source your own course accommodation,
or we cannot provide an upgrade, the standard course
price has a £100pp reduction applied on your
invoice. |
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Current
course availability
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| Testimonials |
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| Press
& media |
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| Films
& videos |
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| Photo
gallery |
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| Location
data for this trip |
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| The
trips are based in the Chamonix valley in the French Alps,
at the foot of Mont Blanc. It is easily accessed via a
90 minute transfer from Geneva airport. |
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Time
Difference
GMT +1hr |
Local
Currency
€ Euros |
Travel
from UK
1hr flight |
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| Suggested
reading and kit |
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View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here |
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| Why
choose our trips? |
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See
our Alpine blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo
to the right. |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your
summit chances. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect
you from euro fluctuations, so you can budget accurately. |
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There
is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the
weather, conditions, and your experience. |
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| Any further questions? |
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A key part
of choosing a company is being able to come and talk about
your plans with an experienced course advisor face to
face. In an increasingly virtual world, we know our clients
value speaking to real people, getting open and honest
advice. The vast majority of our clients are British,
and our office and outdoor store is based in Windermere
in the English Lake District.
 
Get in
contact to arrange a meeting, and come in for a coffee
to discuss your course in person with a trip advisor.
Many people opt for this service, and it is an integral
part of what we offer, as we are keen to ensure that you
are prepared as possible, and that you select a course
that is suitable for you. It makes it easier and more
enjoyable for you and us, if you are on the right trip. |
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