Alpine Introduction Mountaineering courses in the Sierra Nevada, Spain
Learn Alpine mountaineering techniques before you head off to the Alps
If you would like to become more independent in the mountains and develop your skills in preparation for future trips, our Alpine Introduction course will set you on the right track to acquiring the knowledge to venture out into the mountains under your own steam. This is why we have developed our 4 day Alpine Introduction course. Designed to pass on the essential skills needed to enable the independent-minded to attempt the simpler alpine summits unguided.
About the Alpine Course
These 4 day Alpine Introduction courses are held during the months of December through to the end of May. They are based in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. These hills are ideal with good snow lasting well into June. In addition the ample sunshine hours guarantee good climbing weather. We will cover the basics needed to enable you to venture out on less technical alpine peaks.
Throughout the course you will learn the essentials for safe travel on snow and glacial terrain including: crampon and ice axe techniques; glacier travel, including crevasse rescue; basic navigation. To tackle rocky ridges you will learn fixed belay and alpine style running belay techniques. Simple snow gullies and faces will climbed.
We base ourselves in a remote, ruined refuge high in the mountains. From here we cover all the topics contained in our basic winter skills course, but also tackle simple alpine climbs. Snow holing, winter and alpine bivouacing and camp skills are also covered. All in a superb mountain setting!
N.B Clients will need to bring their own 4 season sleeping bag and mat
Typical course content
4 Day CourseTopics covered:
Kitting out for winter
Use of Ice Axe
Use of Crampons
Avalanche awareness
Roping up
Snow belays - use and suitability
Self Arrest Ice Axe braking
Abseiling
Glacier Travel
Crevasse Rescue
Snow Climbing
Moving together on mixed ground
Bivouacing
Winter survival and camping techniques
Snow Holing
Climbing gullies and couloirs
Snowshoeing
What can you expect on the Alpine Course?
Additional days
Additional to the 4 day course a combination of the following will be done depending on snow and weather conditions:Traverse over Veleta to Poqueira Hut via Collado del Veleta
Ascent of Mulhacen (3,479 metres)
Mixed climbing on Puntal de la Caldera (3,215 metres)
Traverse of Tajos de la Virgen ridge
Gully climbing near Cerro de Caballo
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