PROGRAM
During the HIGH ALPINE TRAINING COURSE, promoted by the ORTOVOX SAFETY ACADEMY, you will learn the fundamental basics to safely face the mountaineering environment. Our training course will help you learn about the technical equipment, how to use the rope with the different bindings and tie-downs, the principles of roped progression and the techniques for using crampons (cramponnage). Our IFMGA-certified Mountain Guides will show you how to correctly use the equipment (rope, ice axe and crampons). The professionals will teach you how to move and orient yourself independently on glaciers thanks to their ‘reading’ and interpretation. For ‘responsible’ practice, we will teach you basic self-rescue techniques. By practicing out in the field, you will learn how to react appropriately to accidental falls and how to adopt self-arrest techniques. Some theoretical subjects will be developed during the briefings at the hut, by the support of teaching materials (manuals and videos). During these short lessons, you will receive useful information on meteorology and topography and essential notes on the use of applications and orientation tools. This knowledge, combined with risk management techniques related to safety at altitude, will be the basis for careful planning of your future excursions.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Learn the basic knowledge and develop the essential skills to safely tackle mountaineering outings on glaciers, icy terrain and at high altitudes
- Learn how to walk safely with crampons (crampons with flat points and crampons forward-pointing mood)
- Learning the techniques of arresting an individual fall and that of a climbing partner
- Manage and practice the correct tying and handling of equipment during the outing
- Understand when and how to use the equipment during the outing and know your personal equipment, using it correctly
- First aid techniques (self-rescue, roped party self-rescue, hoist)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND TECHNICAL SKILLS
Since this is a basic learning module, no particular physical requirements and specific previous technical skills are required to participate in the course. However, it is essential to possess at least the following skills and characteristics:
- sure-footed with mountaineering boots on approach (ability to walk confidently)
- good physical resistance to efforts and minimal cardiovascular training
- sufficient physical conditions to undertake excursions of 3-4 hours of climbing with 1,200 meters of altitude gain
Knowledge of basic tying techniques could represent an advantage, but is not essential (it is one of the topics of the course).
CARRYING OUT AND LOCATION
The course takes place in Aosta Valley; the teaching activity is organized over 3 consecutive days. Depending on the level of the participants and the environmental or weather conditions, the days of the course can take place in different locations in the Aosta Valley, obviously suitable for learning the concepts included in the program. The meeting point, to be reached independently and with your own transport, is directly in Courmayeur. The course includes an overnight stay in a hut and the use of cableways to reach the area where the practical activities are carried out (included in the participation fee). For those who do not have it, it is possible to request the supply of personal technical equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons and mountaineering helmet).
GROUP DEPARTURES
Meeting point: parking lot close to Courmayeur Skyway cable car (Entrèves)
Meeting with the Mountain Guide around 8:30 am
Check of the technical equipment
Transfer to the Skyway cable car, to collect the tickets at the cash desk
Lifts up to Helbronner and short break for a coffee at Rifugio Torino (3,375 m)
Start of the training activity
Themes of the day (theoretical and practical):
- Analysis and discussion on gear and personal technical equipment
- Rope storage in the sack and organization of the backpack
- Basic knots and correct ways of tying the rope
- Strategy and modulation of distances in a team with 2 or more members
- Reading of glaciers in relation to components, conditions, visibility (at the hut)
- Glaciers as a thermometer of the climate and rules of behavior (at the hut)
Dinner and overnight stay in a hut.
Meeting point: parking lot close to Courmayeur Skyway cable car (Entrèves)
Meeting with the Mountain Guide around 8:30 am
Check of the technical equipment
Transfer to the Skyway cable car, to collect the tickets at the cash desk
Lifts up to Helbronner and short break for a coffee at Rifugio Torino (3,375 m)
Start of the training activity
Themes of the day (theoretical and practical):
- Analysis and discussion on gear and personal technical equipment
- Rope storage in the sack and organization of the backpack
- Basic knots and correct ways of tying the rope
- Strategy and modulation of distances in a team with 2 or more members
- Reading of glaciers in relation to components, conditions, visibility (at the hut)
- Glaciers as a thermometer of the climate and rules of behavior (at the hut)
Dinner and overnight stay in a hut.
Wake up and breakfast at the hut
Start of the training activity out in the field
Themes of the day (theoretical and practical):
- Anchorage construction on snow
- Sliding tests, stopping and holding techniques on a snowy slope
- Self-rescue in a crevasse: techniques and hoist construction methods
- Information gathering and planning, elements of topography and meteorology, use of APP and GPS (at the hut)
- Choice and planning of the itinerary and risk mitigation methods (at the hut)
Dinner and overnight stay at the hut.
Wake up and breakfast at the hut
Start of the training activity out in the field
Themes of the day (theoretical and practical):
- Anchorage construction on snow
- Sliding tests, stopping and holding techniques on a snowy slope
- Self-rescue in a crevasse: techniques and hoist construction methods
- Information gathering and planning, elements of topography and meteorology, use of APP and GPS (at the hut)
- Choice and planning of the itinerary and risk mitigation methods (at the hut)
Dinner and overnight stay at the hut.
Wake up and breakfast at the hut
Start of the training activity out in the field
Themes of the day (theoretical and practical):
- Walking and progression techniques on rock, snow and ice with boots, ice axe and crampons
- Analysis and interpretation of objective, physiological and meteorological dangers in the high mountains
- Learning the practical methods of risk mitigation (in the field and in the refuge)
Conclusion and last de-briefing
Descent to the parking lot
Final greetings
Start your mountaineering journey
The mountaineering course is the first fundamental step in building a solid theoretical and practical foundation needed to tackle this discipline. Our philosophy is to undertake a learning path aimed at transmitting the indispensable skills needed to experience the mountains independently and safely.
Below, by way of example, we list some excursions, summits and tours that you can undertake, building your own path, one step at a time.
First experiences at altitude
Mountaineering tour around Mont Blanc
The first 4000 metres
Breithorn
Gran Paradiso
Regina Margherita Hut
Castor
Pollux
First multi-day mountaineering tours
Monte Rosa 7x4K
Spaghetti Tour on Monte Rosa
More demanding ascents and big challenges
Mont Blanc from the French Route
Mont Blanc from the Italian Route
Wake up and breakfast at the hut
Start of the training activity out in the field
Themes of the day (theoretical and practical):
- Walking and progression techniques on rock, snow and ice with boots, ice axe and crampons
- Analysis and interpretation of objective, physiological and meteorological dangers in the high mountains
- Learning the practical methods of risk mitigation (in the field and in the refuge)
Conclusion and last de-briefing
Descent to the parking lot
Final greetings
Start your mountaineering journey
The mountaineering course is the first fundamental step in building a solid theoretical and practical foundation needed to tackle this discipline. Our philosophy is to undertake a learning path aimed at transmitting the indispensable skills needed to experience the mountains independently and safely.
Below, by way of example, we list some excursions, summits and tours that you can undertake, building your own path, one step at a time.
First experiences at altitude
Mountaineering tour around Mont Blanc
The first 4000 metres
Breithorn
Gran Paradiso
Regina Margherita Hut
Castor
Pollux
First multi-day mountaineering tours
Monte Rosa 7x4K
Spaghetti Tour on Monte Rosa
More demanding ascents and big challenges
Mont Blanc from the French Route
Mont Blanc from the Italian Route
DETAILS
RATES
- the assistance of a UIAGM/IFMGA certified Mountain Guide
- the Mountain Guide’s expenses (lifts, transfers, meals and accommodation)
- liability insurance
- safety gear used by the Guide (eg rope)
- overnight stay in a refuge with half board
- tickets for lift facilities
- booking assistance service (including assistance for refuges and lifts reservation)
The rate does not include
- research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €5 per person for 3 days
- the hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons and helmet): €30/day per person while supplies last
- transfers
- extra meals and beverages (for clients and Guide)
- hiring of the trek poles (30€/per person)
- anything that is not mentioned under "The rate includes"
