Alpine Rock
Level 3 : Guided Climbing
A week focused on climbing some fantastic alpine rock climbs in the Swiss Valais and also further east into the Bernese Oberland.
Many amazing alpine rock routes are often overshadowed by the higher snowy 4000m peaks, but drop in altitude a little, and you'll find some perfect limestone faces, technical rock ridges and granite spires to whet your alpine rock appetite!
Course Highlights
A fun multi-pitch alpine rock climbing week
Enjoy some of the best alpine rock routes and summits in central Switzerland
Expert guiding and instruction from experienced ISM Guides
Price includes breakfasts and evening meals, vehicle transport and accommodation (excludes mechanical uplift*)
Is The Course For Me?
This is a perfect week for climbers who are interested in a completely rock orientated week, and wish to experience multi-pitch rock climbing in the high Alps, based up in high mountain huts. It's essential that you've been climbing more regularly, either indoors or outside, leading into this week, so that you get the most from each day of this fantastic course. There might still be an element of more general mountaineering during this week, as you may need to cross old snow covering tracks in ascent or descent or sections of glacier, where you will need to walk in crampons and maybe use an ice axe, but you're not expected to have much alpine mountaineering knowledge for this predominatly alpine rock week.
Rock Climbing In The High Alps
With a moderate level of rock climbing experience and if you're happy to follow UK Grade Hard Severe, you can access some of the best alpine rock routes in the Swiss Valais. We climb on a low 2:1 guiding ratio, which gives us flexibility to match levels of experience, climbing grade and fitness within the group, and to climb some challenging routes. It's essential that you bring comfortable rock shoes which are suitable for long, multi-pitch routes. You will also need lightweight approach shoes as well as mountain boots. UK based climbers who need to refresh their personal rock climbing skills can climb with us in the UK first (see our UK Rock Climbing Courses page).
Peaks and routes climbed this week
- Miroir d'Argentine (1900m) Vois I'Y/Directe (5a) An amzing climb up the famouns limestone slabs of over 12 pitches of imaculate climbing
- Wiwannihorn (3001m) Steinadler Route (4c) This fantastic face and ridge climb follows the south east ridge on the Wiwannihorn.
- Salbitschijen (2981m) South Ridge (5a). One of the best routes of its grade in the Alps: perfect granite, highly photogenic and having some unforgettable pitches.
- Gletschhorn (3305m) Sud grat (4a) A classic rock day out!
- Gross Bielenhorn (3206m) SE Grat (4c). An excellent and varied alpine rock route.
- Chly Bielenhorn (2820m) Schildkroten Grat (4a) This classic mountain rock route route gives a great long mountain day
- Dammastock (3630m) East Rib (4a). The east side of the highest peak in Central Switzerland offers impressive rock and ice climbing of a serious mountaineering nature. The best route takes the E Rib which leads to the N Summit.
- Graue Wand (3172m) classic South Face route (5c). Fantastic sustained climbing up a magnificent wall, which is one of the showpieces of Central Switzerland.
- Winterstock (3203m) Triple-summited peak close to the Albert Heim hut. Routes of all lengths and grades including the very challenging, 1100m-long South Ridge.
- Dri Hornli (3209) Traverse of the Dri Horli (4a) One of THE classic outings in the Swiss Valias at this grade, amazing views of the surrounding 4000m peaks and fantastic rock.
*Please note that this course normally runs without taking mechanical uplift and is priced accordingly. If uplift is taken (with agreement of course participants) it is charged as an extra.
Sample Programme
(In this example we stay in the Furka area, however it is equally feasible to transfer to the Salbit hut on the Tuesday and climb the South Ridge of Salbitschijen on the Wednesday or Thursday plus other routes in this area.)
Sunday evening
The course starts with a briefing at 6.45pm at the hotel in Leysin. This is a chance for you to meet your team mates and Guide and go through the details of the course. There will also be time for you to sort out any equipment you need and for you to ask questions. Dinner will follow the briefing.
Monday
From Leysin we drive around to Villar and then up to Solalex, where we park and then climb the Miroir d'Argentine (1900m) Vois I'Y/Directe (5a) An amazing climb up the famous limestone slabs of over 12 pitches of immaculate climbing.
Tuesday
We make the short hike into the Wiwwanni Hut and then climb the Wiwannihorn (3001m) Steinadler Route (4c) This fantastic face and ridge climb follows the south east ridge on the Wiwannihorn.
Wednesday
We then head out and drive to the beautiful Furka Pass which is a paradise of amazing alpine rock. We walk into the Sidelenhutte and climb the Gross Bielenhorn (3206m) SE Grat (4c). An excellent and varied alpine rock route.
Thursday
After a night at the Sidelenhute we climb the Gletschhorn (3305m) Sud grat (4a) which gives a fantastic classic alpine rock day out.
Friday
Climb the Gross Bielenhorn (3206m) SE Grat (4c). An excellent and varied alpine rock route. Walk back to the road and drive back to Leysin, with your final night back at the hotel.
Saturday
Breakfast at the hotel is included before departure.
Course Dates & Booking
Meet the Team
Terry Ralphs
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Terry learnt to climb on the gritstone edges of the Peak District then after graduating from Leeds University he decided to make his living in the outdoors, moving to North Wales to work at Plas y Brenin…
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Matt Stygall
IFMGA British Mountain Guide
Originally from the flatland of Norfolk, Matt soon escaped to the highlands of Scotland, to cut his teeth on the Scottish winter climbing scene there. He then worked full time at Plas Y Brenin in North Wales…
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Paolo Intropido
IFMGA Italian Mountain Guide
Born in NW Italy in a region surrounded by mountains, Paolo started to ski and trek as a kid, always wanting to explore 'beyond the next hill'.
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Adrian Nelhams
ISM Director and IFMGA British Mountain Guide
As a Director of ISM, Adrian splits his time between guiding, the ISM office, family and climbing for himself. During his 30+ year commitment to the team, Adrian has played a key role in the development of ISM.
Read MoreVital Information
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