Meeting point
OUTDOOR - Shop and Café Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald
Advanced Course Mountaineering
5 days
Advanced climbing and rope techniques
Handling ice axe and crampons, and crevasse rescue
5 days of intensive training for mountaineers
Season:
June October
Departure Times
Key info
Our guides speak German & English
Overview
Recommended for:
Anyone who trades comfort for the view.
Enhance your skills, gain more confidence on rock and ice, and undertake challenging mountain tours safely.
This advanced course equips you for more demanding tours. Climbing techniques on rock and ice, rope team training, and crevasse rescue are on the agenda. You will learn to read maps, interpret the weather, and strategically plan routes. A week that boosts your confidence and opens up new possibilities in the mountains.
Course details
AcademyLearning objectives
- Review and expand knot techniques
- Know and use technical equipment for alpine tours
- Improve your ice climbing technique
- Improve personal rock climbing technique
- Refine alpine climbing techniques
- Practice rope handling on rock, glacier, and ridge
- Anchor building and belaying techniques in alpine terrain
- Plan and conduct simple alpine tours independently
- Gain knowledge in crevasse rescue and self-rescue
- Practice navigation with map, compass, and GPS
- Understand weather development in high mountains
- Efficient packing and use of alpine equipment
Assessment methods
Progress is continuously assessed
Progress is continuously assessed through practical feedback during exercises. During the application tour, participants demonstrate their proficiency in applying techniques and making decisions. The mountain guide evaluates independent action, teamwork, and the implementation of learned skills.
Certification
Certificate: Advanced Mountaineering Course
Upon completion of the five-day course, participants receive a certificate. This confirms successful participation in the Advanced Mountaineering Course in Grindelwald, but it is intended as a keepsake and is not an official document.
Issued by:
Outdoor Switzerland AG
Itinerary
Meeting points Day1
Day 1: Hut Approach
Meeting point is at the OUTDOOR Shop and Café in Grindelwald. After a gear check, we hike to the hut. Along the way, we review basics: walking technique, footwork training, and basic knots. Once at the hut, we discuss the program and prepare for the coming days.
Day2
Day 2: Ice Training
We start early and head onto the glacier. Today focuses on crampon techniques, safe walking with an ice axe, and moving in rope teams. We practice step cutting, belaying techniques, and self-rescue after a fall. The day ends with an introduction to crevasse rescue.
Day3
Day 3: Rock Training
Today focuses on climbing techniques. You will practice moving safely on easy rock, learn rope handling for ridge climbing, and test various belaying methods. Placing natural protection like nuts and friends as well as short rope techniques complete the day.
Day4
Day 4: Crevasse Rescue & Tour Planning
Today we perfect crevasse rescue: pulley systems and simulated crevasse fall training. Then we move on to map reading, navigation with compass and GPS, and weather knowledge. In the evening, we plan the summit tour for the next day.
Day5
Day 5: Application Tour
Now it gets serious: On an alpine tour, we put what we have learned into practice. The route depends on weather and conditions. You will see what you've learned over the past few days. After descending to Grindelwald, the course ends in the afternoon.
Whats included
Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
Expenses of the mountain guide
Overnight stay(s) with half-board for the mountain guide
Hut reservation
Course Certificate
Not included
Expenses of the mountain guide
Overnight stay(s) in bunk room with half-board for the guest
Snacks
Technical equipment
Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guide's share)
Pack list
Backpack
Backpack 30-35 l
Clothing
Warm, functional clothing
Rain jacket
Rain pants
Mountaineering or hiking pants
Sunhat
Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
Beanie or headband
Extra underwear and socks
Footwear
Crampon proof mountaineering boots
Technical Equipment
Crampons with anti-snow plates
Harness
Ice axe
Prusik loop
Accessory cord 4 m (min. 6 mm)
Locking carabiners, approx. 3
Helmet
Abseil device
Snapgate carabiner, approx. 2
Microtraxion and / or Tibloc (if you have one)
Ice screw (if you have one)
Trekking pole
2 slings (120 cm)
Basics
Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
Thermos flask, drink bottle
Headlamp
Silk sleeping bag liner
Toiletries
SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
Earplugs (optional)
Camera and binoculars (optional)
Snacks
Backpack 30-35 l
Warm, functional clothing
Rain jacket
Rain pants
Mountaineering or hiking pants
Sunhat
Gloves (ideally one thin and one thick pair)
Beanie or headband
Extra underwear and socks
Crampon proof mountaineering boots
Crampons with anti-snow plates
Harness
Ice axe
Prusik loop
Accessory cord 4 m (min. 6 mm)
Locking carabiners, approx. 3
Helmet
Abseil device
Snapgate carabiner, approx. 2
Microtraxion and / or Tibloc (if you have one)
Ice screw (if you have one)
Trekking pole
2 slings (120 cm)
Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
Thermos flask, drink bottle
Headlamp
Silk sleeping bag liner
Toiletries
SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
Earplugs (optional)
Camera and binoculars (optional)
Snacks
Weather info
General weather info
Weather can influence any tour, and a clear decision is often only possible on the day itself. We review conditions carefully and remain within our safety limits, and bad weather alone does not mean we have to stop.
Make sure we can reach you with current contact information in case your booking changes. Silence from us means your tour is still planned or the final call is not yet made. If we need to cancel, you can rebook, choose another activity, or get a full refund.
For detailed advice on how to prepare for (and enjoy!) bad weather days in Interlaken, check out our weather blog
Meeting points
Meeting points
Activity location