High tour course Engadin & Piz Palü | rock, snow and ice with a mountain guide

• Procedure and course content

  • Meeting place

    10:20 am, Morteratsch railway station

    Meeting point is 10:20 am, Morteratsch railway station (to coincide with the train connection, arrival 10:18 am)

  • Day 1 - Hut approach and rock training

    We start the course and explain the exact procedure and go into detail about the course content. We will get to know each other and clarify your expectations. On the first day we will learn a lot of new things, applied and practice-orientated.

    The ascent to the hut takes about 2 hours. We will spend the first two nights in the Bovalhütte. The last night will be spent at the Diavolezza mountain inn.

    Daily destination: You will learn the basics of mountaineering and gain your first experience on a rope. You will acquire knowledge of techniques that you can use to secure yourself and your rope partner.

    Course content: 

    Rock training

    • The most important knots
    • Roping techniques and belaying
    • Short rope
    • Abseiling

    Materials and equipment

    • Ropes
    • Carabiner
    • Crampons

    Theory Meteo (evening)

    • Which apps and tools do we use

    Tour planning (evening)

    • Tour planning for the next day
  • Day 2 - Rock training and application tour

    During an application tour, we repeat what we learnt the day before and learn something new.

    Daily destination: You will continue to gain experience in the various subject areas and become more confident in their application.

    Course content: 

    Repeat what you have learnt

    • Rock training
    • Material and equipment

    Short rope in the application

    • Level 1 - Walking together on the short rope
    • Stage 2 - Over short difficult sections
    • Level 3 - Micro rope lengths
    • Level 4 - Climbing together on a stretched rope
    • Level 5 - Secure entire rope lengths

    Stands

    • Single fixed point - serrated sling
    • Two bolts
    • Extended stand

    Abseiling

    • Abseiling on high tours

    Tour planning (evening)

    • 3×3 tour planning
  • Day 3 – Ice training

    Today we will be exploring the ice and snow. Along the way, we will learn how to safely use crampons, ice axes and rope techniques on snow and firn. We will also enjoy fantastic views and a magnificent evening atmosphere.

    Daily destination: You can apply and consolidate what you have learnt and gain more confidence.

    Course content: 

    Walking with ice axe and crampons

    • Crampon techniques
    • Pimple brake
    • Ascent and descent in snow and firn

    Roping up on the glacier

    • Rope distance
    • Knots in the rope
    • Behaviour on the glacier

    Tour planning and reflection (in the evening)

    • Clarify feedback and open expectations
    • Tour planning for the next day
    • Orientation with map, compass & altimeter
  • Day 4 - Final tour

    To round things off, we have a challenging tour in store for you, tailored to your needs and the conditions: more ice, glaciers and rope techniques. Here, you’ll be able to put everything into practice, consolidate your skills and gain new confidence. We’ll provide you with personalised support so that you can further deepen your knowledge and practical skills.

    Daily destination: Your expectations are fulfilled and you go home satisfied and with a lot of joy

    Repeat what you have learnt

    • Repetition: ice axe, crampons, glacier techniques
    • Crevasse rescue (self-ascent, team hoist)
    • T-anchoring & simple pulley block
    • Individual coaching on the road
    • Feedback & reflection: What do you take away? How can you continue?

    Orientation

    • Reading maps in the field
    • Compass
    • Altimeter, contour lines and slope

    Reflection

    • Feedback
    • What's next?
  • Conclusion

    Around 3.00 pm, Diavolezza mountain station

    We’ll finish the course together on the Diavolezza. If you’re travelling by car, it’s worth parking it at the valley station on the first day and taking the train to Morteratsch; that way, you can drive straight home on the final day.

• Requirements

  • No previous experience is necessary.
  • Experience in hiking and walking in pathless terrain is an advantage.
  • Condition for high altitude tours with around 1000hm ascent and descent at a comfortable pace (~300hm/h).
  • Crampon-compatible hiking boots are required for the training days.

• Price and services

  • CHF 1190.-
  • Small group with 4 - 6 guests per mountain guide.
  • Including accommodation costs with half board.
  • Including planning and realisation with mountain guide and his travel expenses.
  • Excluding travel expenses, personal consumption.
  • Rental equipment: crampons, helmet, ice axe, climbing harness can be hired for this offer from the Sport Trend Shop in Hinwil can be hired at a special price of CHF 55. You can also get other mountain sports equipment there with the best advice.

• 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.
  • General material and packing tips we have also put together for you.

That's what our guests say:

Impressions: High tour course Palü