The
Mont Blanc Achievements course is the Intro
'Summits & Skills' Course with the
Mont Blanc Summits course bolted on the end.
It gives a total climbing novice the skills
for a realistic chance of summitting Mont
Blanc. As
the course is over two weeks, it is ideal
for those wishing to climb Mont Blanc, but
who believe that they would benefit from a
longer period over which to develop their
skills, fitness and acclimatisation.
You
need no previous experience of climbing or
mountaineering. This course is suitable for
keen hill walkers, indoor wall climbers, or
ramblers, to introduce you to the key technical
aspects necessary for mountaineering.
As
with the Mont Blanc Summits course, for
the ascent of Mont Blanc itself you should
be capable of running a half marathon or
cycling for five hours continuously. The
fitter you are the more you will enjoy the
views.
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 make your summit attempt on the first
good weather window, Wednesday onwards.
This
course is focused on you preparing and summiting
Mont Blanc, with other summits and nights
spent at altitude to increase acclimatisation.
There is a dedicated information page for
Mont Blanc: summit
focus.
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.
Brief
Course Itinerary
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 an acclimatisation
weekend course to provide an extra night of accommodation,
and to ascend a 3000m peak. Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Chamonix town
Monday
Meet your guide in the morning, to do a full kit check, and learn how to put it on / adjust it (e.g. crampons & harness) to ensure a good fit. Then set off for the day, typically in the Aiguilles Rouges doing snow skills on mixed terrain. If good snow conditions allow, ice axe arrest can be tried, and you can build some snow anchors. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max). Evening
theory session / meeting with course hosts: click
for info.
Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Alpine skills
Tuesday
Day
to learn and practice using crampons and ice axes
on the Mer de Glace / Argentiere glacier (2000m). You 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 with crampons. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max). Evening
theory session / meeting with course hosts: click
for info.
Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Mer de Glace
Wednesday
Snow covered glacier travel skills, practising building snow anchors, crevasse rescue, route choice / probing for crevasses. The day is spent with a journey across either the Vallee Blanche, Pointe Lachenal and the Col du Midi, or on the Argentiere glacier basin. The day is essential for your acclimatisation before your main ascent. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max). Evening
theory session / meeting with course hosts: click
for info. Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Lachenal & Vallee Blanche
Main ascent options - Thursday & Friday
Breithorn 4164m
Gran Paradiso 4061m
Vincent Pyramid 4215m
A choice of approach from either the Swiss or Italian sides, to reach the from the Plateau Rosa, staying in the Theodul or Guide del Cervino huts. After a night in one of these, you wake up early to start your ascent up to the Breithorn plateau at 3900m, where the slope steepens to around 30 degrees, on the snowy flank of Breithorn to bring you to its highest Western summit. The descent is made by the same route, past the mountain hut again, around lunchtime. After you descend to the valley, you then return to Chamonix for Friday night.
Drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Valsavaranches, and Pont at its head, where you trek up to either the Vittorio Emanuele or Chabod mountain hut for the night. After an Alpine start, you set off in the dark, across the moraines to reach the glacier and ascend to the plateau below the summit ridge. Here the route steepens, and you reach the rocky scramble on the top section to reach the summit. Descend the same route via the hut to collect anything you have left, to reach the valley in mid afternoon. Return to Chamonix for the night.
A longer drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to the Gressoney area, up to Staffal, where you take the cable car to then trek up to the Mantova or Gnifetti huts for the night. A very early start the next day, as dawn breaks across the mountains, to ascend the Mont Rosa plateau towards the ridgeline including the summit of Vincent Pyramid. The snowy glacier surface steepens as you pass below the rocky slopes to curve up right to reach the summit. Descent via the same route back to the valley, and return to Chamonix for the night.
Saturday
& Sunday
Breakfast, then you have two days off to really
concentrate on resting and relaxation. Some people
opt to book a tandem paraglider flight in the morning
to celebrate the first weeks efforts, and prices
for this are from c.100€ for a c.30 minute
flight. These flights can be booked in resort up
to the day before you wish to fly. On the Sunday
evening you meet at 17:00 for a briefing on the
plans for the second week. Gallery: Chamonix rock climbing
Monday
After breakfast you meet our resort team, and guide, for a weather briefing and final kit checks for Gran Paradiso. You are driven by minibus (core season) through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Val Savaranches in Italy, then ascend to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II or Chabod mountain hut, where you spend the night on a half board basis. Guiding ratio 1:3 (max) in hut, or 1:6 (max) for approach. Night in mountain hut in Italy. Gallery: Paradiso National Park
Tuesday
Alpine start (c.4 am) to climb Gran Paradiso 4061, the highest peak completely in Italy. There are 4 possible normal routes to the summit, to cater for conditions / experience, all of which converge on the Col Montcorve. The route steepens to the final summit ridge, which although short is quite exposed, but well protected. The summit views are stupendous in all directions! Descend to Pont for return transfer to Chamonix.
Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Gran Paradiso 4061m
Wednesday
This day is flexible to allow you to normally climb another acclimatisation route to a summit, or to start your ascent of Mont Blanc if weather or hut spaces dictate. Typical routes for the day include Cosmiques Arete, Aiguilles Marbrees, Pointe Lachenal or Aiguille du Toule. Return to Chamonix to prepare for Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Evening briefing session / meeting with course hosts: click for info. Night in Chamonix. Gallery: Petite Aiguille Verte
Thursday
Equipment
and bag checks before you set off to climb up to
one of the high huts, either the Gouter / Tête Rousse / Gonella mountain 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. Gallery: Mont Blanc Gouter
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, lowest windss, and to minimise the risks of stonefall or afternoon storms on the descent. You typically reach the valley in the afternoon. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Most teams opt to meet up to go out for drinks and a celebratory meal. Final night in Chamonix. Gallery: Mont Blanc Gonella
Saturday
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. Some
people opt to book a tandem paraglider flight in
the morning to celebrate the weeks efforts, and
prices for this are from 100€ 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. Gallery: Icicle Windermere office
ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionally
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.
Course
Prices
An
Introduction course (£1195) followed by Mont Blanc
Summits course (£2195), totals £3390, so you
save £95! Note that this course includes the Saturday night in Chamonix between the two weeks for FREE, worth £75.
Standard
course
10 days guiding, 14 days holiday in total
IFMGA mountain guides for 10 days
£3295
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
How to book
Secure
payments, bonded tour operator
Details of how to book, click
here
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
for ten days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics
& briefings, 3) Evening technical instruction / briefing
sessions, 4) Twin / double room self-catered accommodation
in Chamonix (inc. linen, bedding & towels) for the
2 weeks, so you don't move out when in huts, 5) Three
nights half board in mountain huts / base camp for you and guide (1 on first week, 1 on Gran Paradiso & 1 on Mont Blanc), 6) Pre course information booklet,
7) Equipment discount voucher for our UK shop, 8) Free
36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Road
transport in Chamonix valley and transfer to and from main ascent area on first week, and Gran Paradiso on second week, 10) Icicle discounts privilege
QR code list for reductions in local shops and restaurants
in Chamonix.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Cable cars & uplift for 5 days on first week, and last 3 days of second week (c.23.5€ return for Mont Blanc tramway),
4) Optional second night (not normally required)
in Mont Blanc hut on a half board basis for
you and guide, 5) Transport (inc. tolls / bus / tunnel ticket) and uplift for you and guide not specified in the inclusions, 6) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches,
evening meals in valley, & any purchases in mountain
huts / hotels / restaurants, 7) Sunday pre-dinner
drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 8)
Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Course
upgrade options
Many clients on this
trip consider upgrading with one or more of
the following course additions...
Private
room
Big
5 Alpine
extensions
Technical
kit rental
Acclimatise
weekend
Upgrade
to single from
£300-£500 in addition to
standard course price,
depending on week.
Extend by 2 days after
to ascend one of the
Big 5 Alpine peaks as
an extra summit.
Rent all technical kit
for a week. Full Alpine
Bundle costs you just
£100 for the week.
Saturday
night spent in
Chamonix, with choice
of self-guided or guided
on Sunday. From £70.
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.
FREE
Alpine summits open eve
This
is an event extra to the UK
Alpine Training weekend course. It is
FREE and open to those booked on our Mont Blanc
/ Eiger / Matterhorn trips. The event runs from
18:00 to 19:30 at our Windermere shop, to show films
of the routes, and discuss kit and training. You
don't need to be attending the weekend course to
join the open evening (more
details). E-mail us to reserve space(s)
and confirm availability. Dates are the Saturdays
of the weekend dates on the right.
Weekend
dates
Course spaces and dates for
the UK Alpine Training Weekend (link)...
I
just wanted to say thank you for the
most fantastic two weeks this summer.
I had such an amazing time, loved every
minute of it. You guys do such a brilliant
job and i am so so greatful to you both
for 'looking after' me. I am already
trying to think of things to do next
summer and I'm really keen to come out
again for a few weeks. I have attached
a few of pictures I took, thought the
one of the three of us girlies with
the guides at the top was a good one!
I hope you are all well, and hopefully
see you again next year! Laura
O , Achievements
Guides
were very proactive with teaching and
understanding of beginners. Course was
good. Covered a wide range of stuff John
A , Achievements
Fun
and informative all the time Jess
W , Achievements
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Location
data for this trip
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.
Time
Difference
GMT +1hr
Local
Currency
€ Euros
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
Films
from the summit
Free
resources
FREE
Podcast Training
for Mont Blanc
A no holes barred podcast, to fully
explain what an ascent entails physically
and technically, including several examples
of hill training.
We
send a course specific equipment list to all those booking
on our courses, but due to the popularity of this course,
we outline a typical packing list for the Mont Blanc summit
day in the list below.
Basic
clothing - Light coloured long
sleeve wicking layer
- Schoeller / soft shell climbing trousers
- Mid layer fleece jacket / gillet
- Fleece hat and gloves, and sunhat / cap
- B3 leather / plastic boots, and gaiters
Equipment - Harness, helmet, ice
axe (without leash)
- 12 point crampons andanti-balling plates
- 1 x 120cm Sling, 1 x karabiner, 1 x prussic
- Telescopic trekking poles with snow baskets
- Head torch (LED style is lightest type)
Altitude
gear - Synthetic or down insulation
jacket
- Goggles in case of high wind
- Neoprane face mask in case of wind
- Thick waterproof over gloves
- Windproof over trousers (eg PacLite)
General
kit - Close fitting sun glasses
(Factor 4 for snow)
- Pocket snacks for summit day (eg Haribos)
- Water bottle (bladder type may freeze)
- Rucksack (up to 35 litres max is ideal)
- Basic blister kit, Aspirin, suncream
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
Pro top tips - geeks corner!
Why
choose our trips?
See
our Alpine blog, by clicking on the Word-press logo
to the right.
Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather windows on any day, to maximise your
summit chances.
Our
prices are fixed in £ Sterling, to protect
you from euro fluctuations, so you can budget accurately.
There
is a choice of routes to opt for, depending on the
weather, conditions, and your experience.
Any
further questions?
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.
Gallery: 
