Classic Alpine Ascents
Level 2 : Guided Climbing
A guided week of classic alpine mountaineering dedicated to achieving some great alpine climbs without being restricted to attempting only 4000m summits.
Many superb routes and peaks in the Alps fall short of the 4000m contour, and whilst we are happy to include a 4000m summit on this course, the emphasis will be on climbing the finest routes and peaks in our chosen areas at the right level of difficulty for course participants.
Course Highlights
A fun and relaxed week of classic alpine mountaineering
Expert guiding and instruction from experineced ISM Guides
Low ratios to enjoy some classic summits and routes
Price includes breakfasts and evening meals, vehicle transport and accommodation (excludes mechanical uplift*)
Is This Course For Me?
The week is aimed at those with some previous alpine experience (e.g. our Summits and Skills 4000m level one course), but it is also open to those who have experience in winter walking and summer UK scrambling. We normally tackle climbs around the grades of PD/PD+, a standard that typically involves moderate snow climbing with a single ice axe and easy rock scrambling.
To give you a varied climbing week, we aim to visit two different mountain regions, split with a valley based night in-between. When planning the week, we'll take into account your experience and any peaks that you've climbed previously and work hard to deliver a fun week of classic alpine mountaineering in a relaxed atmosphere.
Developing Your Mountaineering
This Classic Alpine Ascents week is an ideal progression from our Summits and Skills 4000m course and allows you to practicse those learned skills whilst gaining valuable experience climbing other routes and peaks in the Alps. The week is also perfect if you are looking for a varied week of climbing and mountaineering focused at a moderate level of ability and presented in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Peaks often climbed on this course
Swiss Valais
- Mont Blanc de Cheilon (PD) - 3870m
- L'Evêque - 3716m
- Aiguille de la Tsa – 3668m
- Pigne D'Arolla - 3796m
- Pointes De Mourti - 3564m
- Dente des Rosses - 3616m
- Pigne de la Le' - 3396m
- Fletschhorn - 3993m
- Allalinhorn - 4027m
- Strahlhorn - 4190m
- Bishorn - 4153m
Mont Blanc massif
- Aiguille du Tour - 3540m
- Tete Blanche - 3429m
- Aiguilles Dorees - 3519m
*Please note that this course normally runs without taking mechanical uplift and is priced accordingly. If uplift is taken (with agreement of course participants) it is charged as an extra.
Sample Programme
There are many combinations of peaks and routes, but do our best to deliver the week at the right level of abilitiy for the course participants, taking into account the weather and conditions.
Sunday
The course starts with a briefing at 6.45pm at the hotel in Leysin. This is a chance for you to meet your team mates and Guide and go through the details of the course. There will also be time for you to sort out any equipment you need and for you to ask questions. Dinner will follow the briefing.
Monday
After breakfast we head over to Champex and walk into the Trient Hut which overlooks the beautiful Trient plateau and glacier rimmed with lovely summits which will be our base for the next few days.
Tuesday
After breakfast we head over the Glacier du Trient to climb the Aiguille du Tour. This is a great snow and mixed climb to the summit which overlooks the Trient Plateau, with also very scenic panoramic views across the Glacier du Tour and the Chamonix valley and across to the impressive glaciated dome of Mt Blanc. On the way back we'll cover some of the essentials skills around crevasse rescue to help refresh some of these import techniques. We stay a second night in the Trient Hut.
Wednesday
We leave hut after an early breakfast and head back over the Trient Glacier, but this time heading towards the Tete Blanche and the Petite Fourche which are great rocky and snow summits on the other side of the Treint Plateau across from the Aiguille du Tour climbed the previous day. Descending the Petite Fourche there is a fun but technical glacial descent with a chance to develop further a number of different ice axe and snow/ice techniques. We continue on down the glacier to spend the night at the Cabane d'Orny.
Thursday
After breakfast we head out behind the hut to climb a classic alpine rock climb which summits the Aiguille d'Arpette. This is a lovely alpine rock route with some moderate scrambling and a couple of easy rock climbing pitches, giving everyone either a great introduction to some alpine rock climbing or a chance to develop those skills but both also just having a great day out rock climbing to help give the week a great balance of snowy alpine summits and an alpine rock climb. We stay a second night at the Cabane d'Orny.
Friday
We leave the hut after breakfast and head back down to Champex to the vehicles and then drive back to Leysin. On the way to Leysin we might have the option for some roadside rock climbing on the way back or maybe a fun via ferrata which can play out depending on the weather and what the group would like to do. Dinner and a final night back at the hotel in Leysin
Saturday
Breakfast at the hotel is included before departure.
Course Dates & Booking
Meet the Team
Terry Ralphs
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Terry learnt to climb on the gritstone edges of the Peak District then after graduating from Leeds University he decided to make his living in the outdoors, moving to North Wales to work at Plas y Brenin…
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Carlo Cosi
IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide
Carlo Cosi was born in Padua, northern Italy, and has been a Guide since he was 23. He is a National Climbing Instructor and has a degree in Physical Education.
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Adrian Nelhams
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
As a Director of ISM, Adrian splits his time between guiding, the ISM office, family and climbing for himself. During his 30+ year commitment to the team, Adrian has played a key role in the development of ISM.
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Matt Stygall
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Originally from the flatland of Norfolk, Matt soon escaped to the highlands of Scotland, to cut his teeth on the Scottish winter climbing scene there. He then worked full time at Plas Y Brenin in North Wales…
Read MoreVital Information
Please check the vital information below to help when booking a course
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