Action-Outdoors.co.uk

Beginners Mountaineering

Mountaineering or "Alpinism" in the French is a superb mix of rock climbing, snow & ice techniques and general travelling in the mountains. Your guide will teach you the basics of safe mountaineering practice as well has completing some great days out in the mountains:-

• Basic rope work, belaying, abseiling, placing protection
• Ice axe & crampon technique, classic & front point
• Rock climbing techniques & equipment
• Several classic routes, depending upon weather & condition
• 1 night in a mountain refuge

Level

This is a beginners course, so no previous experience is necessary, however you do need to be fit and good hill walking experience will be invaluable.

Ratio

1 guide per 5 clients 

Equipment

All technical equipment is provided by UCPA and is included in the price of your holiday. Clothing is not provided - see either the data sheet or joining instructions for further details.

Sample Program

Sunday
Arrival between 10.00am and 5.00pm. As there are no activities on the day of arrival, you can arrive between 2.00 and 5.00pm to check into your accommodation and collect your sports equipment.
Once you arrive, you can take full advantage of the swimming pool and village.
Information meeting about your activities at 6.00pm.

Monday
Full day excursion.
Rock. Learn to rope up, belay, climb, maintain balance on your feet, toprope descent.

Tuesday
Full day excursion.
Ice. Location: the Mer de Glace. Use of crampons, ice axe. Roping up progression on a glacier.

Wednesday
Full day excursion.
Snow. Walking on a snowy slope, stopping a slide, glissading descent.
Enjoy an initial short run.

Thursday
Excursion to mountain refuge.
Morning: practice climbing, setting up a belay, progression at the head of a roped party, rappel descent.
Afternoon: climbing to a refuge to spend the night.

Friday
Departure in the early morning and making an ascent, level F (easy) or PD. (relatively easy), such as the standard trail on the Aiguille du Tour (3,542 m).

Saturday
Rock school, focused on movements.
Sports programme ends at 2.00pm.

Programme content is provided for information purposes only. It may be subject to modification or adjustment at any time, for technical or safety reasons, or because of weather conditions. In such an event, only UCPA supervisors are authorised to take the necessary decision(s).

 

Details

Download full details here

Mountaineering - Advanced

Mountaineering or "Alpinism" in the French is a superb mix of rock climbing, snow & ice techniques and general travelling in the mountains. Your guide will review the basics of safe mountaineering practice and help you improve your skills and experience whilst completing some great days out in the mountains. One of the main aims of this course is to develop autonomy - ie you learn the skills to travel safely in the mountains on your own:-

• Basic rope work, belaying, abseiling, placing protection
• Ice axe & crampon technique, classic & front point
• Rock climbing techniques & equipment
• Several classic routes, depending upon weather & condition
• 1 night in a mountain refuge

Level

This is an intermediate to advanced course. Several groups run at the same time, so groups are formed according to abilty. As a minimum you need to be comfortable on AD level alpine climbs. If you have a background of UK climbing & hill walking experience, then you may be OK - call our office to have a chat & discuss.

Ratio

1 guide per 5 clients

Equipment

All technical equipment is provided by UCPA and is included in the price of your holiday. Clothing is not provided - see either the data sheet or joining instructions for further details.

Sample Program

Sunday
Arrival between 10.00am and 5.00pm. As there are no activities on the day of arrival, you can arrive between 2.00 and 5.00pm to check into your accommodation and collect your sports equipment.
Once you arrive, you can take full advantage of the swimming pool and village.
Information meeting about your activities at 6.00pm.

Monday
Full day excursion.
Review of climbing basics: belaying, protection at the head of a roped group, rappels.
Location: high mountain school.

Tuesday
Full day excursion.
Snow and ice practice: classic and frontal techniques. Rescue and self-rescue in crevasses.
Location: Grands Montets (or other if Grands Montets is closed).

Wednesday
Full day excursion.
Day long run (Aiguilles Rouges, Aiguilles de Chamonix, Aiguille du Midi, etc. ).

Thursday/Friday
Excursion to mountain refuge.
Enjoy one or two good high mountain runs.

Saturday
Rock-climbing school.
Sports programme ends at 2.00pm.

Programme content is provided for information purposes only. It may be subject to modification or adjustment at any time, for technical or safety reasons, or because of weather conditions. In such an event, only UCPA supervisors are authorised to take the necessary decision(s).

Details

Download a full PDF data sheet here...

Summit of Mont Blanc 4810 m

The highest summit in Western Europe, Mont Blanc, is not a highly technical climb, but does require an excellent level of fitness & acclimatisation. The UCPA course varies considerably from other advertised trips. Most of all the UCPA program is 2 weeks, instead of the typical 6 day trip. There are two main reasons for this are acclimatisation and autonomy. The goal is not to "drag" you to the top of Mont Blanc. The two week course allows plenty time for you to learn and perfect the techniques to climb Mont Blanc safely. The time spent doing this is highly enjoyable, climbing other routes within the Mont Blanc area. You will also be superbly acclimatised which means the actual ascent of Mont Blanc will be far more enjoyable.

Level

You should already have experience at Alpine PD level and you do need to be in good shape. If you have excellent UK hill walking experience, with some winter & summer climbing skills then call the office for some advice.

Ratio

1 guide per 6 clients, 1 guide per 4 clients for the actual Mont Blanc days

Equipment

All technical equipment is provided by UCPA and is included in the price of your holiday. Clothing is not provided - see either the data sheet or joining instructions for further details.

Sample Program

Sunday
Arrival between 10.00am and 5.00pm. As there are no activities on the day of arrival, you can arrive between 2.00 and 5.00pm to check into your accommodation and collect your sports equipment.
Once you arrive, you can take full advantage of the swimming pool and village.
Information meeting about your activities at 6.00pm.

Monday
Full day excursion.
Ice sports at the Mer de Glace.

Tuesday
Full day excursion.
Training walk (1,700 m grade increase).

Wednesday
Full day excursion.
Snow school at Aiguilles Rouges:

Thursday/Friday
Ascent of a peak between 3,500 and 4,200 m.

Saturday
Full day excursion.
Snow school at Petite Verte (3,505 m).

Sunday
Day of rest.

Second week
This second week is devoted to climbing towards the peak of Mont-Blanc, depending on weather conditions.

Saturday
Rock-climbing school
Sports programme ends at 2.00pm.

Programme content is provided for information purposes only. It may be subject to modification or adjustment at any time, for technical or safety reasons, or because of weather conditions. In such an event, only UCPA supervisors are authorised to take the necessary decision(s).
 

Details

Download a full PDF data sheet here...