Do you want to progress from simply following along – to understanding more, making better decisions and becoming a more confident climbing partner in alpine terrain?
Welcome to our All Women Mountaineering Skills Camp in Chamonix – a camp for women who want to develop their technical skills and take the next step towards becoming more independent in the mountains.
Alpine climbing and mountaineering means moving through a complex and incredible environment where you encounter everything from rock, glaciers and snow to exposed ridges and high alpine terrain. Becoming confident in this environment is a journey built through experience, knowledge and many days spent outside.
During this camp, you will gain the tools to continue developing as a mountaineer.
Together with certified IFMGA Mountain Guides, we will practise the skills needed to plan and carry out alpine adventures in a safer and more efficient way.
And we do it in one of the best places in the world for alpinism – Chamonix.
What makes this camp special?
This is not a traditional guided trip where you simply follow behind.
The focus is on learning, understanding and getting hands-on practice yourself.
You will:
• make decisions
• practise techniques yourself
• discuss route choices and risk management
• understand the systems behind alpine climbing
• develop together with other women who share the same goals
During the week we will work on:
• Risk management
• Tour planning
• Navigation
• Equipment for alpine adventures
• Decision-making in the mountains
• Lead climbing
• Multi-pitch climbing
• Rope management
• Efficient transitions
• Rappelling
• Building anchors
• Crampon and ice axe techniques
• Glacier travel
• Rope management on glaciers
• Alpine coils
• Snow and ice anchors
• Crevasse rescue
• Climbing alpine ridges
• Placing protection
• Route finding
• Moving efficiently as a rope team
• Different belaying techniques in alpine terrain
The exact program will be adapted according to weather, conditions and the level of the group.
With small groups and a guide-to-client ratio of maximum 1:4 (+ assistant guide), you will receive personal feedback and the opportunity to develop at your own level.
Program
You make your own way to Chamonix and check into our shared accommodation.
In the evening we gather for a welcome dinner, go through the plan for the week and get to know each other.
We start the day with a session about risk management and decision-making in the mountains.
Then our practical clinics begin.
We focus on rock climbing skills:
• lead climbing
• multi-pitch climbing
• rappelling
• efficient rope management
• communication within the rope team
You will practise becoming more independent and taking responsibility together with your climbing partner – always with support and feedback from the guides.
Group dinner in the evening.
We start with navigation before heading out onto the glacier.
Today’s focus:
• crampon and ice axe techniques
• moving on glaciers
• glacier rope systems
• crevasse rescue
• building snow and ice anchors
• securing your partner
We will also discuss route choices, risks and how to move efficiently in high alpine terrain.
Group dinner in the evening.
After our morning session about tour planning, we head out for a longer climbing day.
You will use the techniques learned during the previous days:
• planning a route
• managing the rope team
• making transitions
• building anchors
• making decisions along the way
Those with the experience and skill level will get the opportunity to lead parts of the climb themselves.
Group dinner in the evening.
On the final day, we put everything together.
We head out on an alpine route where you will practise:
• route finding
• moving on alpine ridges
• placing protection
• building anchors
• efficient systems
• communication and teamwork
The goal is for you to leave this week with more knowledge, more experience and more confidence for your future mountain adventures.
Final group dinner in the evening.
After breakfast we check out and say goodbye – hopefully with new friends, new skills and lots of inspiration for future mountain adventures.
Who is this camp for?
This camp is for you who already have some experience and want to take the next step.
We recommend that you:
• have indoor/outdoor climbing experience
• have completed our alpine climbing course or have similar experience
• want to develop technically and become a stronger partner in the mountains
We will move in easily accessible terrain and choose routes where the focus is on learning – not performance.
Between mountain days we stay together in a cozy apartment or chalet in Chamonix.
The evenings are an important part of the experience – dinners, conversations, sharing experiences and finding inspiration together with other women who share the same passion.
You won’t just return home with new techniques.
You will return home with more confidence, new climbing partners and a community to continue developing with.
Equipment
Loan of necessary technical climbing equipment is included in the price. If you don’t have your own equipment, you can borrow the following from our mountain guides during the camp:
• Alpine ice axe
• Crampons
• Helmet
• Climbing harness
• Screw-lock carabiner
Personal equipment
You need to bring your own personal equipment and clothing for alpine days in the mountains. This is not included in the course fee.
• Alpine boots compatible with crampons (for example La Sportiva Aequilibrium / Trango Tech, Scarpa Ribelle or similar)
• Rock climbing shoes
• Approach shoes or trail running shoes for approaches
• Backpack, 30–40 litres
• Warm hat that fits under a helmet
• Base layers in wool or synthetic material (no cotton)
• Thin fleece sweater or similar mid-layer
• Light down jacket or synthetic insulation jacket
• Windproof and waterproof jacket (preferably a shell jacket without insulation)
• Windproof and waterproof pants (preferably shell pants without insulation)
• T-shirt
• Hiking pants
• Warm gloves
• Thin gloves
• Gaiters
• Headlamp
• Category 4 sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Telescopic poles that can be attached to your backpack
• Sun hat or cap
• Buff or larger scarf for sun protection
Included in the price
• Four days of clinics with certified IFMGA Mountain Guides
• Five nights accommodation in Chamonix in a private apartment/villa (shared double room)
• Breakfast and dinner during the program
• Professional photographer documenting the trip
• 16-week training program before the camp
• Loan of technical climbing equipment
• Local transportation in Chamonix
Not included
• Travel to and from Chamonix
• Personal equipment according to the list above
• Lift passes if we use lifts during the week
• Lunches
• Personal travel and adventure insurance
Number of days: 6 days (4 days of clinics)
Price: 1990 Euro
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Please use the form if you have any questions or want us to contact you.