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Alpine Introduction Mountaineering courses in the Sierra Nevada, Spain

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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

Alpine climbing steep snow gullies

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

We are in the course of producing an online guidebook to this area. This great climbing venue is still relatively unknown in the UK. The area provides a fantastic alternative to Scotland with much more chance of that magical combination of snow and sun!

For those going on Expeditions to Polar or Greater Ranges we run a short 2 day "Expedition Preparation Course" which can be "bolted on" to our existing Winter Skills Mountaineering or Alpine Introduction Courses

Typical course content

Ascending a narrow corner on a course 4 Day Course - topics 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

Video sent in by client, Sieto Van Der Heide

Video sent in by client, Ian Tupman

What can you expect on the Alpine Course?

Additional days

Glissading down snow slopes Additional to the 4 day course a combination of the following will be done depending on snow and weather conditions and ability of the party:
  • Traverse over Veleta to Poqueira Hut
  • Ascent of Mulhacen
  • NW ridge of the Pico del Cartujo
  • Mixed climbing on Puntal de la Caldera (3,215 metres)
  • Traverse of Tajos de la Virgen ridge
  • Gully climbing near Cerro de Caballo
  • Raspones de Rio Seco
  • Alpine ridges Sierra de Huetor

You may also be interested in

Winter Skills and Mountaineering Courses - obtain the skills necessary for secure winter travel
Sierra Nevada high peaks - in winter, much tougher, very rewarding!
Introduction to ropework courses for scramblers and beginner rock climbers
Scrambling adventures
Short Roping by Gottleib Braun-Elwert (PDF)
Animated Knots Link to interesting site about how to tie knots!
Avalanche awareness Excellent online course by C.A.A

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