Alpine Trekking Course in Chamonix

A one-way transfer from Geneva Airport at 6pm will take you to your hotel in time for dinner. Please make sure your flight arrives on time. If you have difficulty making this time, please contact us and we will try to accommodate you.

After breakfast, we will meet for introductions, review the weather forecast, and discuss what gear to bring. After a half-hour break for you to purchase a picnic lunch and pack your backpack, we will embark on a hike to Lac Blanc or another popular Chamonix trail.

Along the way, we will begin to teach essential alpine hiking skills, such as basic navigation, crossing challenging terrain, and understanding mountain weather. We will conclude the day with a more detailed discussion of packing and gear for both day and multi-day treks.

Today, we will venture into the forest behind Argentière to focus on developing our navigation skills. We will participate in a series of exercises to build our proficiency with different maps, compass navigation, GPS devices, and smartphone navigation. We will conclude the day with a session on route planning using both traditional maps and mapping software.

For the halfway point of the course, we will ascend to Plan de l'Aiguille by cable car. Using our newly acquired navigation skills, we will hike to Lac Bleu. Around the lake, we will learn how to move on difficult terrain before descending to the classic Grand Balcon Nord trail.

We will follow this to Signal Forbes, which offers stunning views of the Mer de Glace. From there, we will descend to Montenvers railway station, where we can learn about the region's history and witness the rapid recession of the glaciers.

Finally, we will enjoy a pleasant descent through the woods back to Chamonix. Throughout the day, we will also discuss nutrition and hydration, including the important question of whether the water is safe to drink.

On Thursday, we will return to the forest to hone our advanced navigation skills. We will learn how to navigate off-trail, master additional compass techniques, interpret contour lines, and assess the reliability of GPS devices. We will also discuss how to handle getting lost before navigating up the valley to Le Tour.

Back at the hotel, we will collaborate to plan a sample week-long hike using maps, guidebooks, and apps.

On the last day of the course, we will embark on a hike from the Chamonix Valley in France to the Trient Valley in Switzerland, returning by public transportation. As a group, we will select one of several routes in advance, giving us an opportunity to apply all the skills we have learned throughout the week and to address any remaining questions you may have.

A one-way transfer from your hotel to Geneva Airport will pick you up after breakfast at around 9am.