Alpine Mountaineering Course in the Sierra Nevada Spain

About our Alpine Mountaineering Courses, Sierra Nevada

If you would like to become more independent in the mountains and develop your skills in preparation for future trips, our Alpine Introduction course will set you on the right track to acquiring the knowledge to venture out into the mountains under your own steam.

You will be taught and coached by our professional guiding team backed by 40 years experience in the Alps, Patagonia and Kamchatka. If you aspire to travel safely on glaciers, scale alpine peaks, climb snow gullies, or set out on mega expeditions then this course will give you a basic knowledge.

Is it for me?

Designed to pass on the essential skills needed to enable the independent-minded to attempt the simpler alpine summits and be ready for the greater ranges. Be aware though that winter mountaineering is tough and a certain amount of hardship will be endured.

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About the Alpine Introduction Course

These 4 day Alpine Introduction courses are held during the months of December through to the end of May. They are based in Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. These hills are ideal with good snow lasting well into June. In addition the ample sunshine hours guarantee good climbing weather. We will cover the basics needed to enable you to venture out on less technical alpine peaks.

Throughout the course you will learn the essentials for safe travel on snow and glacial terrain including: crampon and ice axe techniques; glacier travel, including crevasse rescue; basic navigation. To tackle rocky ridges you will learn fixed belay and alpine style running belay techniques. Simple snow gullies and faces will climbed.

There will be 2 instructional days, one on snow and one on rock in which we cover all the topics contained in our basic winter skills course, but also tackle simple alpine climbs. Snow holing, winter and alpine bivouacing and camp skills are also covered. All in superb mountain settings!

The remaining 2 days will be an overnight trip into the mountains climbing peaks or doing suitable winter routes that are in condition.

N.B Clients will need to bring their own 4 season sleeping bag and mat for the 2 day trip

We are in the course of producing an online guidebook to this area. This great climbing venue is still relatively unknown in the UK. The area provides a fantastic alternative to Scotland with much more chance of that magical combination of snow and sun!

• Day 1. Technical/Instructional day - snow and ice. Return to valley accommodation
• Day 2. Technical/Instructional day - rock. Return to valley accommodation
• Day 3 & 4 - Practical days - either a 2 day mountain ascent or 2-1 day mountain ascents or an additional rock day. This is normally discussed after the initial two days

Typical course content

4 Day Course - topics covered:

• Kitting out for winter
• Use of Ice Axe
• Use of Crampons
• Avalanche awareness
• Roping up
• Snow belays - use and suitability
• Self Arrest Ice Axe braking
• Abseiling
• Glacier Travel
• Crevasse Rescue
• Snow Climbing
• Moving together on mixed ground
• Bivouacing
• Winter survival and camping techniques
• Snow Holing
• Climbing gullies and couloirs
• Snowshoeing

Additional Days

Additional to the 4 day course a combination of the following will be done depending on snow and weather conditions and ability of the party:

• Mixed climbing on Puntal de la Caldera (3,215 metres)
• Traverse of Tajos de la Virgen ridge
• Gully climbing near Cerro de Caballo
• Raspones de Rio Seco ridge
• Alpine ridges of the Sierra de Huetor
• NW ridge of the Pico del Cartujo

Expedition Training Course

For those going on Expeditions to Polar or Greater Ranges we run a short 2 day course which can be "bolted on" to our existing Winter Skills Mountaineering or Alpine Introduction Courses

When?

Prices

Mountaineering Courses and PD routes

Group size (per booking): (prices are per person per day)

• 1 person - cost €150
• 2 persons - cost €95
• 3 persons - cost €85
• 4 persons - cost €75

Classic Winter Mountaineering Routes (AD and above) (1:2 ratio)

• 1 person - cost €220
• 2 persons - cost €140

Definition of "Group" - if you are booking a trip for 2 persons the 2 person rate applies, 3 persons - 3 person rate etc (not dependent on eventual total group size!).

Price includes:

• Guiding
• Backup vehicles
• Gear hire - helmet, harness, crampons, ice axe
• We have a limited number of boots and sizes available for guest use

N.B Guiding ratio for high mountain activities - no more than 4 to a guide.

Enquire via email or contact form

Transport (effective for all bookings after 1st July 2022)

The guiding price above does not include transport. Due to rising energy and fuel prices we do not want to be constantly changing guiding prices to reflect transport costs. We want to be honest and open about our price structure.

Clients have two options:

NO COST OPTION - Pick up/drop off our guide in Lanjaron or a venue to be agreed. Use your own transport to and from the start/end of activity.

COST OF FUEL OPTION - Our guide will drive you to/from start/end of activity in one our own vehicles. Applicable costs are:

• Capileira, White Villages, Taha del Pitres €15
• Hoya del Portillo €20
• Sierra Nevada ski area €25
• Granada area, Cumbres Verdes €15
• Peñon de la Mata €20
• Lecrin Valley €10
• Jerez de Marquesado, Eastern Sierra Nevada €35

N.B For destinations not listed above we can easily work out a fuel cost