If
you have already attended an Introduction
course in Scotland, Chamonix or Arolla, this
course will take your skills to the next level.
Based in the beautiful Saas Fae region it
is focused on climbing as many Alpine 4000m
classic summits around the Saas region as
possible, whilst pushing your technical climbing
skills.
This
course ascends famous routes around the PD/
AD grade in the Saas Fae. Examples include
famous routes on the Weissmeiss, Lagginhorn,
Nadelhorn, and Alphubel, based in comfortable
mountain huts on a half board basis, so you
are given a good three course cooked meal
every evening. This is excellent for developing
your acclimatisation and saves any time consuming
walk-ins, making the most of your climbing
time.
We
differentiate ourselves from other operators,
by only offering 1:2 guiding, to allow you
to attempt routes such as the Lagginhorn ridge,
which can only be climbed at this climbing
ratio.
For
those prefering snow or ice routes, rather
than mixed or involving some rock, you should
opt for the course dates early in the season
(June or July) for the best conditions with
more ice and less stonefall.
This
course can be used as progression from the Alpine
Introduction in Chamonix,
or if you are feeling more confident, look
at the Dufourspitze
summit week which also has a ratio of 1:2 guiding, involving
more stamina, and is focused more on technical
demanding snow / ice and mixed climbing summits.
Whatever
your previous ice or rock experience, the
aim of this course is also to teach you more
skills and style points useful in your own
climbing, developing your mixed climbing,
grades and techniques on different routes.
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
Sun
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 Chamonix hosts accompany
the group to
pre-dinner drinks to answer any queries.
Night in Chamonix.
Mon
Setting
off from Chamonix in the early morning you are driven
to Saas Grund near Zermatt. Today is a day to refresh
your climbing and ropework skills on rock and in
crampons. After catching the cable car, the aim
of the day is flexible to either approch the Almageller
or Britannia huts, if the weather is looking stable
for the next day. Alternatives are to climb Jegihorn (3206m) from the
Hohsaas list, which has a section of via ferrata
and great views of Mischabel, or the Dri Horlini.
Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in mountain hut.
Tue
Starting
with an early Alpine start from a hut, today's most
popular objective is the stunning exposed traverse
of the Weissmeiss (4017m), usually ascending via
the SW ridge with its exciting and very exposed
scramble to reach the summit snow ridge. After photos
and some lunch you start the decent by the NWN face,
to reach the Weissmeiss hut beneath the Lagginhorn. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in hut.
Wed
Today
is the famous altitude route to the summit of Lagginhorn
(4010m). The route is a long and varied ridge with
some mixed climbing, involving climbing tricky sections
of broken rock in crampons. There are fantastic
views and ample photo opportunities throughout the
day, particularly from the exposed summit block. In the
late afternoon you descend back to the hut. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night
in mountain hut.
Thu
After
the past couple of long technical days, today
is a little easier with a shorter route to prepare
you for the big route tomorrow. The objectives
for the next day could include Alphubel (4206m),
Nadelhorn (4327m), Allalinhorn (4027m), Strahlhorn(4190m)
or Ulrichshorn (3925m), to name but a few. The
objective is decided on between you and the guide,
to take advantage of the best conditions, but
groups often head to the Michabel hut for the
night. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in mountain hut.
Fri
The
most popular objective is the ascent of the Nadelhorn
starts from a short ridge directly behind the Mischabel
hut, to reach the Hohbalm glacier and Windjoch at
3850m. From here the NE ridge is an impressive
mixed climbing route with a void on both sides to
reach the tiny summit block. The views from the summit are stunning, with the
Matterhorn and Mont Blanc dominating the panorama.
After the descent you are driven back to Chamonix
for the night. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Celebratory
last night meal and night in Chamonix.
Sat
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.
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.
Course
Prices
Standard
course
5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total
£1899
Live
availability
Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics
& briefings, 3) Self-catered accommodation in Chamonix
(inc. beddings & towels), 4) Pre course information
booklet, 5) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 6)
Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 7)
Road transport in the Chamonix valley and to and from
Saas, 8) Up to four nights half board (breakfast &
three course cooked dinner) in mountain huts (inc. costs
for the Guides), 9) Evening technical instruction on evenings
in Chamonix.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to & from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals
in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels
/ restaurants, 4) Cable cars & uplift for you &
your guide, budget approx £50 (Guide cable cars
included in Chamonix), 5) Sunday pre-dinner drinks &
Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 6) Activities insurance,
& excess baggage charges.
Notes:
This course assumes 1:2 guiding throughout. Note that
is there is just one person on a course, less 1:1 guiding
days can be offered, however accommodation will be provided
for the whole week, and guiding options and locations
will be discussed with you within the budget paid.
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.
Current
course availability
Course Dates Saas Classics
No Dates Available
NOTE:
This trip has scheduled
dates, but if there are two who
are booking together, it can be
operated on any date you wish
Just
wanted to say thanks for a wonderful
trip. Everything was so well organised
and really friendly which made it absolutely
perfect, especially when combined with
our luck with the weather! Please pass
on our thanks to Paolo too, couldn't
have wished for a nicer or better guide Jenny
G ,
Saas 4000m Peaks
This
week really boosted my confidence. Great
summits, a great group, and Jean-Luc
was really knowledgeable. I will be
back!!! Louise
H , Saas 4000m Peaks
A
really good bit of advice from your
team for me to look at this trip. It
was a perfect level for me. Thanks Jake
S , Saas 4000m Peaks
Testimonials
Press
& media
Films
& videos
Photo
gallery
Location
data for this trip
The
trips meet 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
€ & CHF
Travel
from UK
1hr flight
Course
photo gallery
Preparing
for the course
If
you are worried about acclimatisation, we recommend that
you book on an Acclimatisation
Weekend before
your course. to help you get acclimatised earlier, leaving
you with more summiting weather windows for the peaks.
View
full course equipment list,
with examples of kit, click
here
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.
