Introductory course in clean and trad climbing in Cadarese with a mountain guide

• Procedure and meeting place

  • Meeting place

    8.45 am, Brig railway station

    We’ll be meeting in Brig. If possible, let’s carpool and get to know each other on the way there. Please let us know when you register whether you’re coming by car or not.

  • Day 1: Arrival, training and climbing

    4a – 5a

    After the journey over the Simplon Pass, the real fun begins - the climbing!

    On the first day, there is a lot of new content on the programme. We deliberately take time to work through the content step by step and repeat it several times so that you gain confidence in its application.

    Daily destination:
    You will learn the basics of climbing without bolts and understand how to move safely on multi-pitch routes. You know where you stand and can build on your newly acquired knowledge and skills.

    Course content

    Communication in the rope team

    • What commands do we use to communicate clearly with each other?
    • Communication via the rope - rope commands and their meaning

    Stand construction

    • Series connection
    • Equalising anchorage

    Belaying on multi-pitches (MSL)

    • Securing at the belay station or with body belay
    • Rope handling
    • Half-rope technique

    Introduction to mobile belay devices

    • Familiarisation with and handling of friends and wedges
    • Placing and assessing the fuses on the floor
    • Stand construction with mobile belay devices

    Abseiling

    • Set up and prepare abseiling points
    • Threading and knotting
    • The 3-point check - safety before abseiling
  • Day 2: Learning and putting it into practice

    4a – 5a

    We divide the course content into different lessons to build on existing knowledge. This keeps the learning process structured and allows you to consolidate what you have learnt step by step. On the second day, we deepen the content of the first day, expand your knowledge and apply the new techniques directly on the rock.

    Daily destination:
    You have acquired additional knowledge and skills to safely climb multi-pitch routes with mobile belay devices. You recognise your strengths and know in which areas you would like to gain more experience.

    Course content

    Repetition and consolidation

    • Communication in the rope team
    • Stand construction with mobile belay devices
    • Belaying on multi-pitches
    • Abseiling and retreating

    Climb short multi-pitch routes independently

    • Gain your first experience of self-employment
    • Application of the techniques learnt so far

    Mobile belay devices

    • Deepen your knowledge of friends, wedges & co.
    • Practical application and assessment of the placements in the route

    Crack climbing techniques

    • Introduction to the basic movements and techniques of crack climbing
    • Use of hand and foot clamps (jams) and other methods for safe ascent

    Reflection

    • How did the planned tour go?
    • What have I learnt - and what will I do differently next time?

    After an intensive day of training and practical application, we take a break and enjoy each other's company before dinner. After dinner, we use the time to delve back into tour planning and explore different risk management methods in greater depth. Together, we plan the tour for the next day.

  • Day 3: Practising and consolidating

    4a – 5a

    We’ve got another climbing trip coming up, where you’ll be able to put what you’ve learnt into practice and gain valuable first-hand experience. Together, we’ll undertake the planned practical trip, consolidate what we’ve learnt so far and – within a safe environment – venture out of our comfort zones.

  • Day 3: End of the course and journey home

    around 5 pm, Brig railway station

    To round off the course, we’ll hold a group debrief before heading home. What have you learnt, what’s your next climbing goal, and what else do you need to achieve it?

• Requirements

  • You have gained experience on multi-pitch routes and are familiar with the following rope handling and techniques:
    • • Stand construction
      • Securing with ATC, Tuber etc.
      • Abseiling technique
      • Communication as a rope team on an MSL route
  • We climb in the 4th and lower 5th difficulty ridge (4a-5a) depending on the ability of the participants. The focus is on training and not on the level of difficulty.
  • Condition for climbing tours with a comfortable ascent and descent.

• Price and services

  • CHF 850.-
  • Small group with 4 - 6 guests per mountain guide.
  • Including overnight stay in a beautiful flat with 2-4 bed rooms.
  • Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
  • Breakfast included.
  • CHF 850 Exclusive:
    • Individual journey to Brig
    • Dinner in neighbouring restaurants.
    • Travel expenses or taxi, if applicable

• Material and equipment

  • For this tour you need the material from this PDF. We carry our equipment with us the whole time. Only pack the essentials.

Highlights: Introductory course in clean and traditional climbing