Topic: winter travel (Read 10084 times)

Allyc · « **on:** June 22, 2012 »

hi guys, has any of yas ever done any mountain winter travel courses?? someday i hope to climb mont blanc in the alps, when i say climb, its walking up hill,screed,snow and ice etc, with a bit of low grade rock climb along the way, although crampons and ice axes and rope etc are need, (ive never even seen an ice axe or crampons), but will maybe go to scotland first??? can any of yas recommend any courses?? is any of yas interested in such a thing?? i no that i can pay a guide around 2000 euro to take me up mont blanc, but id like to wait till am ready and do it without a guide, plus i definatly dont have 2000 euro spare... i no winter is along way away, just thought i throw this out there and see wat comes back!!

LandyLiam · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2012 »

Yes i did a winter skills course run by Tollymore, it was in the Cairngorms in March this year, unfortunatley there wasn't much snow around but we did managed to cover all the stuff except building a snowhole. Great course, gives you the confidence to walk in the snow. Ice axe arrests are great fun

Allyc · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2012 »

cheers for the reply liam, now that ya finished the course, would ya feel safe enough walking on snow and ice etc over steep ground?

Wolf_Larson · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2012 »

Would love to do that, but its only a dream so far ;-/

Allyc · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2012 »

same as me wolf,,, just dreamin,, but it could be done,, it looks class!!!! hopefully next year, but ive said that last year!! think ya need 2 till 4 per rope group!!

LandyLiam · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2012 »

It certainly boosted my confidence to do stuff i wouldn't have considered before, here's some of the slopes we ended doing.

Don't know if i'd try the alps without an experienced partner though. I wouldn't be too sure about avalanche detection, that takes a lot of experience, and then the experienced ones can still easily get it wrong

2000 euro does seem like a lot but between a few people it may be better value than a winter course if the guide can train you along the way, also if you don't use the skills learned (not much snow hiking opportunities here) you could be struggling when you do get to Mont Blanc. It all depends on the capabilities of your walking partners too.

Allyc · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2012 »

class pics liam, there some steep slopes,,, i think its 2000 euro per person,,, but yea its definaltly something to consider going guided if there is a company that ya cud split the cost, ill look in to that. cheers liam!!

Wolf_Larson · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2012 »

Great pics, laim

2000 E

mmmmhhhh alot of ££££££

Is there anywhere to learn it without that cost ?

Allyc · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2012 »

after a very quick google ya can get cheaper prices, but less days, 2000 euro was with an irish company, few days course then climb mountain,, there is better prices with less days, although then theres less chance of summiting,,, plenty of time till next year...

LandyLiam · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2012 »

I've just realised i'll be near the Alps next week! just been planning some activities and decided on Monte Baldo, but i'll be going up by cable car

Allyc · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2012 »

cable car?? thats cheating haha

LandyLiam · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2012 »

2218m, starting point is 65m, you know i might just try walking it, it will be hot though

Fred · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2012 »

Allyc, if you are intending to do any alpine climbing I would highly recommend that you do an instructed course, either with Tollymore or somebody like Glenmore lodge in Scotland. They will teach you all the essential skills.

Dont underestimate Mont Blanc. It may be technically easy by the normal routes but is is still a serious undertaking. There are crevasse and stonefall hazards on the popular routes and if the weather turns bad, you will need your witts about you to get down safely. For most people, acclimatizing is the biggest issue. This will entail climbing several smaller peaks to allow your body to adjust to the thin air. A guide will probably insist that you do this before you attempt Mont Blanc itself and of course they will guide you on these peaks for a fee.

Fred

Allyc · « **Reply #13 on:** June 25, 2012 »

thanks for reply fred, it does seem to be the best way. ill look into booking a course with tollymore. went on a night course with them before, and it went really well. plus liams pics look great!!!!!!!

twentyclicks · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2012 »

I did a Winter Alpine & Ice intro last March with Icicle in Chamonix. Great company, also do follow up alpine autonomy courses and Mont Blanc weeks. Very straight talking site about what is required for certain objectives and what is expected of you in terms of fitness (quite a bit!). Not a cheap pursuit, but nothing is these days...I spent about £1000 all in for that week, and more on gear (although you can rent much of it if you don't plan to use it often). Hiring a guide is about 300 euro a day. They can take about 6 people for glacier work or snow-shoeing, but only 2 on mountains... 1 on 1 if it is a hard route.

Here are my write ups, but do delve into their site..training & pack lists & rental costs all there.
Blog 1 and Blog 2

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Author Topic: winter travel (Read 10084 times)

Allyc

winter travel

LandyLiam

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Allyc

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Wolf_Larson

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Allyc

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Allyc

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Wolf_Larson

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Allyc

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LandyLiam

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Allyc

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