Mountain Navigation Skills Course

Overview

Over the course of five days, we develop the skills you need to safely navigate the mountain environment in the summer, and plan multi-day expeditions.

The course will be a mix of practical exercises and classroom based theory, culminating in a 2 day expedition staying at a mountain refuge. Expect to cover such areas as navigation, ropework, mountain hazards, weather, route & expedition planning.

Course content

• Navigation – map-reading, use of compass/altimeter/apps, relocation
• Route-planning– single and multi-day hikes.
• Packing for an expedition – what to bring to make sure you are never caught out.
• Mountain environment – weather, hazards, safety procedures, flora&fauna
• Emergency procedures – know what to do if things do go wrong
• Leadership – group management

Practical Information

Who is the course aimed at?  The course is suitable for regular hill walkers as well as those new to the pursuit, and anyone wishing to improve their understanding of hiking in the mountains, from day walks in the UK to planning your own Tour du Mont Blanc.

How fit do I need to be? In general, you should be comfortable walking up to 6 hours over moderate terrain with a pack, however we tailor each trip to the participants, so if you have any concerns please do get in touch!

Additional Costs: The cost of the course will be €300 per person, this is for the course only. It does not include accommodation (see below), food and transport costs. 

Accommodation: There is no shortage of quality hotels and apartments in Les Deux Alpes during the summer months. The resort caters for anything from budget to luxury accommodation. However, if you are having trouble finding something suitable, please get in touch.

The last night (night 4) will be spent in a mountain refuge. The price of this will be in the region €60 including evening meal and breakfast.

Getting to Les Deux Alpes: The easiest way to get to Les Deux Alpes is by car. If flying, Lyon and Geneva airports offer a good selection of reasonably priced car hire options. Turin airport is also an opion, but flights here areoten fairly limited. Drive time from Lyon Airport is roughly 1hr45 and from Geneva Airport around 2hr45.

It is possible to take a shuttle bus from both Lyon and Geneva Airports to Grenoble Bus Staion. They run roughly hourly, and cost between €10-30. From Grenoble there is a very cheap local bus service to the resort. However, this service only runs once or twice a day. For more information, see https://www.transisere.fr .

If you are having difficulty organising transport please get in touch!

Booking

For further information, or to book onto the course, please contact us at bookings@whitemarmotte.com.