Description
We were contacted by a team heading to the Alpine mecca of Chamonix. They wanted some mountain skills development training. All the group had experience in UK mountains but this was their first Alpine adventure. They were realistic that their plans needed to be tailored to their experience. We were certainly happy to advise about suitable objectives and manage their training.
They planned to tackle some of the easy grade rock climbs in the Chamonix Valley and also needed to cross some glaciated terrain. We put together a three day programme that focussed on key areas. For day one we developed their efficiency on multi-pitch climbs. On day two we considered descending from multi-pitch routes and problem avoidance and then for the last day we looked at glacier travel and simple crevasse rescue strategies. They later added one of our Outdoor First Aid courses to their training to ensure they were prepared for an emergency.
We met each day for a short classroom session but most of our time was spent in the mountains. Time in the mountains is the best way to learn skills for the mountains. The team left with a toolbox of techniques and the confidence that they could manage their objectives.
We kept in touch over the intervening months and followed their training progress. We also answered a few questions along the way. By the time their trip came around we all knew they were good to go. Their trip was a great success and we’ve kept in touch since. They are now planning a trip to the Greater Ranges.
We love putting together mountain skills development packages but our involvement doesn’t end when the days end. We are sharing a journey with you. Please be assured that we are with you every step of the way.
