ALPINE SKILLS COURSE

ALPINE SKILLS COURSE

India, Ladakh


TBA          
Trip leader
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Dates in blue indicate departures guaranteed to go.

This Alpine Skills Course is for those looking to climb big mountains where navigating complex glacial terrain becomes imperative. 

The course focuses on movement skills in the big mountains, and technical ropework skills that enable the climber to climb safely even on big, technically demanding mountains. The primary focus would be on ice climbing, alpine rock climbing and fixed rope movement. This will complement technical skills including intermediate ropework skills like anchors building using traditional protection, abseiling and retreating strategies, crevasse and high angle rescues, etc. Teaching will be in an experiential, collaborative style, with students forming independent teams and taking on an alpine objective that that they will aim to summit by the end of the course. 

The course will be led by veteran climbers and experienced Sherpas with a wide and diverse experience. The instructor team has climbed multiple peaks across the Himalaya, and students will be able to learn and absorb far more than the course curriculum dictates. Large ice walls and crevasse-filled sections on the Parkachik glacier, situated at the base of Mt.Nun, a formidable 7000m peak in the Zanskar range, mimic the conditions of Himalayan expeditions and will be our training ground.

Itinerary

Show Detailed Itinerary
Fly into Leh, and spend the morning relaxing and acclimatising. Post lunch there will be a gear check and an orientation session for the course by the course instructor and also a session about packing and layering for enduring extreme temperatures in the high mountains. Overnight Hotel
We start early in the morning from Leh and drive towards Kargil and deviate to enter the Suru Valley, where will set-up base near the Parkachik glacier. Overnight Camp
We will learn basic knots, hitches and other rope related techniques that will form the basis of all work in the mountains. We will also divide ourselves into team and prepare for the glacier training which starts the next day. In the evening we will also have a session on logistical planning for alpinism. Overnight at Camp
We primarily work on movement skills on alpine glacial ice, which is different from navigating water ice. We introduce you safe movement strategies including placing protection and anchor building in glacial ice. There will also be a first session on descent strategies.
We will cover how to live with ropes over glaciers, transitioning from 1st class to 4th/5th class terrain and how to manage and use anchors as a second climber. We will also have the second part of the descent strategies.
We will use this day to learn how to climb on fixed rope in alpine terrain and prepare to move high up the mountain with the rest of the team.
We will try to gain elavation and if possible reach small summits on the ridges around the glacier. We will break up into smaller, pre-decided teams and attempt small summits around the glacier up to 4500/5000m with instructor support. Participants will be expected to carry their own loads and may need to set up and use a higher camp. These two days, we get to put into practice all that we have learnt to get a first hand experience of self-supported alpinism. We return to base by the evening.
We strike camp and walk down to the roadhead to drive back to Leh. Free evening to go shopping in the Leh Market. Overnight Hotel
We drop you to the airport from where you fly back home!

Trip Cost

85900 / 1180  

LEH TO LEH , TWIN SHARING

Payment Schedule

30000 / $400 - Booking Amount

TRIP COST INCLUDES
  • - Airport arrival & departure transfers in Leh
  • - Full-board Accommodation for 2 nights at an 'A' class hotel in Leh and for 7 nights in tents on twin-sharing basis
  • - All meals & pack lunches as required throughout the trip
  • - Transport to get to the training area & back
  • - Technical group equipment like ropes, anchors etc (Does not cover personal climbing equipment)
  • - Professional instructor's and Sherpa fee
  • - Includes GST (Subject to change as per Govt.Policies)
TRIP COST EXCLUDES
  • - Any airfare. 
  • - Items of personal clothing and personal climbing equipment (can be rented)
  • - Expenses of a personal nature like insurance, beverages and snacks in Leh, any sightseeing etc
  • - Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road blocks etc
Cancellation terms

 

If it becomes necessary to cancel your trip, you must notify the office immediately in writing. The following terms would be applicable.

 

• More than 45 days prior to departure - we will refund the entire amount received by us minus a processing fee.

• Less than 45 days prior to departure - 25% of the Trip Cost as the cancellation charges and we will refund the balance.

• Less than 30 days prior to departure - 50% of the Trip Cost as cancellation charges and we will refund the balance.

• Less than 21 days - the entire amount would be forfeited. 

 

The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credit will be given for services not used. We recommend that you obtain cancellation travel insurance upon booking. If you can replace your spot by getting someone else to take that seat cancellation charges would be waived completely. 

Pls note that these cancellation terms may be amended from time to time.

What to expect

Dates in blue indicate departures guaranteed to go.