Ski touring-mountaineering course (Mont-Blanc massif - Gran Paradiso)

Description

During this 4-day ski touring course in the Mont-Blanc massif we will treat the progression on glacier where the ski techniques are supplemented by those in mountaineering. So in these days we will treat and apply mountaineering to skiing.

The objective is to acquire and know all the techniques of mountaineering necessary for a correct practice of ski touring. Thus, from the roped-up progression on glacier to the techniques of progressions on the mixed and to the self rescue in crevasses will be all the subjects addressed in this course.

The planned outings are all applications of the first experience in ski mountaineering and finish with climb the Gran Paradiso summit 4061m.

Pedagogical content of the course:

• Glacier ski touring progression.
• Progression in mixed mountaineering with ski touring boots.
• Crevasse self rescue.
• Skiing down couloir using the rope.
• Risk management in high winter mountains.

To increase in your autonomy, I advise you to follow the AINEVA training course "Making ski touring track" in the Aosta valley.

You can also follow me for another nice ski touring trip Gran Paradiso Valley.

Program

D1: Introduction to Rock Climbing with ski touring boots
Meet at 9am at the schedulded place.
We move to a local valley crag and do some top roped climbing with an introduction to basic climbing and ropework techniques. Most likely venues are the famous valley crags of the Courmayeur Valley - Morgex e.g “Palestra Jordaney”. This day you’ll need a packed lunch, as we’ll be out all day.
Debriefing at 4pm  and programming of the following day.

D2: Skyway cable car in Entrèves (Courmayeur) and climb to the Aiguille d'Entrèves West summit (3600m).
Meet at 8am.
Ski touring tour in which to apply all the safety techniques on glaciers acquired the day before, to which is added the progression in mixed mountaineering. Then you will descend the Vallée Blanche to Chamonix.
Debriefing of the day and programming for the next day.
Total duration: 4.5 to 5 hours, positive altitude difference: 400 meters, negative altitude difference: 2765 meters.

D3: Vittorio Emanuele Hut 2732m.
Meet at 11 am.
Transfer from Courmayeur to Pont Valsavarenche 1952m. From here in 2.30 hrs ascent through the itinerary we reach the Hut. Rest, overnight and Half board in Hut.
Debriefing of the day and programming for the next day.
Total duration: 2.30 to 3 hours, positive altitude difference: 780m.

D4: Gran Paradiso Summit 4061m.
Having a 4am breakfast at Refuge Vittorio Emanuel allows us plenty of time to ascend the Grand Paradiso (4061m). The ascent is made via the Glacier du Grand Paradiso and should take around five hours to the summit. Crampons may be needed passing Il Roc (4026m) but will definitely be needed from the Finestra del Roc to the summit. We then rope up and scramble the along rocky ridge to gain great views and pictures of the Madonna on the summit. We descend back to Vittorio Emmanuel hut. Rest, overnight and Half board in Hut This day you’ll need a packed lunch, as we’ll be out in the backcountry all day.
Total duration: 6 to 8 hours, positive altitude difference: 1328m; negative altitude difference: 2111m.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain guide.
• half board in the Hut, including the half board of the Mountain Guide
• Rescue insurance.

The price does not include

• Transport to and from Courmayeur, about 30 minutes drive from Chamonix or Aosta.
• Ski pass.
• Accomodation.
• Transfers by vehicle.
• Catering.
• Drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• At the convenience of the participants.
• Vittorio Emanuele Hut.

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