Ski touring-mountaineering course (Aosta valley)

Description

During this 4-day ski touring course taking place 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 course will end with the ascent of Gran Paradiso at an altitude of 4061 meters.

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 mountains in winter.

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 in Morgex.
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: Climb to the Aiguille d'Entrèves West summit (3600m).
Meet at 8am in Entrèves then Skyway cable.
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-Emmanuele II hut (2735m).
Meet at 11 am.
Transfer from Courmayeur to Pont Valsavarenche (1952m). From here in 2.30 hours we ascent through the forest to 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, D+: 780m.

D4: Gran Paradiso summit (4061m).
Departure from the refuge at around 4.30am to climb up a small valley and then the glacier that leads us to the foot of the final rocky bastion. We will climb it with crampons on our feet.
Return to the refuge via the same route. Arrival around noon.
In the afternoon, we will descend to the cars and return to Courmayeur, where the course ends.
Total duration: 6 to 7 hours, D+: 1330m; D-: 2100m.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain guide.
• Half-board accommodation in mountain huts, including for the guide (drinks in the huts and refilling of thermos flasks or water bottles for hikes are not included).
• Rescue insurance in case of rescue.

The price does not include

• Return transport to 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-Emmanuele II Hut.

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