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
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.
Saturday
The course starts with a briefing at 6.45pm at the Tour D'Ai 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.
Sunday
After breakfast you will head up the Rhone valley towards Arolla at the head of the Val d'Herrens. From here, we'll take a good walking track which leads to the Vignettes hut where we'll spend the night.
Monday
An early start sees us walking with headlamps across the Glacier du Mont Collon towards the classic summit of the L'Eveque. The glacier steepens as we head up the Mitre de L'Eveque via the 'Normal Route' to the summit - Alpine grade PD. We then descend the same way and return to the Vignettes Hut for a second night.
Tuesday
Another early start, but this time we head west to traverse the classic Pigne D'Arolla. This is a fantastic alpine glacial traverse over the summit of the 'Pigne' and down snow and glacier to another high mountain hut, the Cabane des Dix. This is a great hut perched on the 'Tete Noiure' overlooking the glacier de Cheilon and looking up at the beautiful North Face of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon.
Wednesday
We leave hut after an early breakfast and make our way up to the Col de Cheilon. The 'col' gives us access to the Glacier du Gietro and the 'Normal Route' up to the summit of the Mont Blanc de Cheilon. The glacial walk weaves amongst beautiful rock ridges and towers as the glacier cascades down the mountain. The summits give amazing 360 degree panoramic views across the Alps before we descend back down the glacier. We return to the Dix hut and then carry on down onto the glacier de Cheilon, over the col 'Pas de Chevres' and down an easy path back to Arolla where we stay the night. A night back down in the valley gives us the chance to freshen up before the final couple of days climbing.
Thursday
A later breakfast and a much more relaxed start to the day. We head up the other side of the valley on good trails and walk into the Cabane Bertol where we'll spend the night. This is an easier day and gives us chance to enjoy the amazing views down onto the glacier du Mont Mine and looking east out towards the impressive Dent Blanche, Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa Massif.
Friday
After an early breakfast, we climb down steep ladders from the hut to access the glacier du Mont Mine. From the base of the ladders we head north to 'Pointe de Bertol' and onto the smaller glacier de l'Aiguille below the Aiguille de la Tsa. The Aiguille de la Tsa is a fantastic rock pinnacle, which involves a short section of easy rock climbing to access the very small narrow summit. From the valley far below looking up at the pinnacle, it looks just like a 'mini Matterhorn' jutting up from the the ridge high up, like a sharp tooth. The views from the summit are incredible as is the exposure! Two abseils and we're back down on the glacier and walking back towards the Bertol hut. However, we don't head back up to the hut, but continue down to Arolla. Once back in Arolla we'll stop for a coffee and have a relaxed debrief, reflecting on the week and giving you the chance to think about the next step in your own mountaineering plans. We then drive back to Leysin and a final night at the hotel.
Saturday
Breakfast at the hotel is included before departure.
Course Dates & Booking
Please call +44 (0) 1539 721561 for availability
Vital Information
Please check the vital information below to help when booking a course
- Equipment
- Fully Inclusive Prices
- Getting to Leysin
- Insurance Information
- Paying Information
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