3 Days to Learn How to Move Safely in the Mountains, Supervised by a High Mountain Guide
Course Overview
This course aims to teach the fundamental knowledge and skills required to move safely and independently on glaciers, ice, and in high mountain terrain. You will learn fall arrest techniques, rope handling, equipment use, and basic rescue techniques.
This program is designed for occasional or regular mountaineers who want to acquire the technical fundamentals of glacier mountaineering and move toward autonomy.
Course Objectives
- Acquire the essential skills for safe glacier travel
- Learn to move on ice and in high alpine environments
- Master crampon techniques (vertical and front-point)
- Understand fall arrest, proper rope techniques, and gear management
- Learn basic rescue methods (self-rescue, team pulley systems, hauling)
Course Schedule – 3 Days / 1 Night at Refuge Albert 1er & 1 Night at Trient Hut
The program may be adjusted depending on weather and snow conditions.
Day 1
- Welcome, course briefing, and ascent to Refuge Albert 1er
- Review of basic glacier travel techniques
- Introduction to various rope techniques
Day 2
- Glacier travel from the Tour Glacier to Trient Hut
- Equipment handling and glacier travel practice
- Deepen understanding of fall arrest, rope work, and gear use
Day 3
- Practice basic rescue techniques (self-rescue, team hauling, pulley systems)
- Return to the valley in the late afternoon
Educational Content in Partnership with Ortovox
- Alpine hazards and mountain weather
- Knot knowledge and equipment use
- Route planning and glacier navigation
- Rope techniques and glacier travel
- Use of ice axe and crampons
- Vertical and front-point crampon techniques
- Anchor building in snow and ice
- Crevasse rescue
- Fall arrest techniques
- Independent glacier travel
Why Choose the Bureau des Guides d’Annecy?
- A personalized and educational approach
- An exceptional and wild learning environment in the heart of the Aravis
- The safety and experience of passionate, certified high mountain guides
