The full Tour du Mont Blanc typically takes ten to twelve days to complete, while the winners of the UTMB have completed the whole circuit in under 20 hours. Admittedly 20 hours, or even completing the TMB in one non-stop run, is out of reach for most people. However, in between these extremes, it’s possible…
10 reasons why reading a map is still important in the age of Google Maps In the modern world, you rarely see anybody use a paper map and compass in the mountains. We have countless mapping apps, smart watches and other GPS devices to take the hard work out of finding your way. In many…
Fast-and-light or all-but-the-kitchen-sink: which one works for you? Read on for our top tips on how to pack for multi-day treks. When trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc, you’ll see many trekkers weighed down under backpacks as tall as they are, while others stroll past with tiny day packs. Some of the latter are just…
Updated 23rd October 2024 I originally wrote this post in 2020. It was the era of social distancing when sharing maps, compasses and other materials was considered a risk. For current courses, candidates are welcome to borrow maps and compasses from us as well as laminated copies of our printed materials. If you need to…
The International Avalanche Risk Scale is an important tool in off-piste decision making, but it is frequently misunderstood. If you have ever said, “It’s only three out of five, it’ll be fine,” you need to read this right now. I am not going to say that you should never venture off-piste on a cat. 3…
