Advanced Course Mountaineering
This course takes place alternately at the Schreckhornhütte and the Glecksteinhütte. Please note the location for respective course dates. This 5-day advanced mountaineering course focuses on climbing technique on rock and ice, crampon technique, rope work, roped-up glacier travel, and crevasse rescue (pulley systems and self-rescue). In addition to technical training, you will focus on tactical aspects of mountaineering, such as map reading, navigation with a compass and GPS, and weather forecast interpretation. This multi-day course will provide you with the solid training you need to safely and more confidently explore the mountains.
Tour Details
- Knots (Repetition)
- Gear check/ packing a backpack
- Rope handling skills/ belaying techniques
- Personal climbing skills
- Short roping
- Roping up on glaciers
- Easy ridge climbing
- Ice parcours
- Crevasse rescue
- Trip planning
- Weather science
Group Course (4-6 participants)
| CHF 1295 per person | |
Private Course
| 1-3 people | CHF 4800 per group |
| 4-6 people | CHF 1295 per person |
To book a private course please contact us:
Day 1: Way up to the hut
Meet your guide at the Outdoor Shop and Café in Grindelwald and check your equipment. Climb to the hut and review basic mountaineering knowledge and techniques in preparation for the upcoming days.
Days 2-4: Training
The focus is on training on ice and rock. The course will cover the following topics during these days:
- Training on ice and rock
- Crevasse rescue
- Walking on the rope on the glacier
- Belay and rescue techniques on rock
- Climbing exercises
- Rope handling on ridge tours
- Walking with ice axes and crampons
Day 5: Application tour
On the final day of the course, you will apply the skills you have acquired on a summit tour. The location will be determined by the mountain guide based on conditions and the abilities of the group. In the afternoon you will descend to Grindelwald.
| Season | June - October |
| Departures for official tours | See "Closest Bookable Dates" |
| Departures for private tours | Private tours can be booked daily |
| Meeting point | 9:45 am at the Outdoor Shop and Café - Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald |
- Guiding from a licenced mountain guide/ aspirant guide
- His or her expenses
- 4 nights in bunk room with half-board
- Tea for the next day
- Course Certificate
- Your expenses
- Snacks
- Rental equipment
- Costs for cable cars
- Costs for a taxi if needed (guests pay for the guides share)
Backpack
- 30-35l
Clothing
- Warm, functional clothing
- Rain jacket
- Rain pants
- Mountaineering or hiking pants
- Sunhat
- Gloves
- Beanie or headband
- Extra underwear and socks
Footwear
- Crampon proof mountaineering boots
The basics
- Sunglasses (category 3 or 4)
- Sunscreen lotion and lip balm (minimum factor 30, 50 better)
- Thermos flask, drink bottle
- Silk sleeping bag liner
- Headlamp
- Toiletries
- SAC/DAV permit (if you have one)
- GA or Half Fare Travelcard (if you have)
- Earplugs (optional)
- Camera and binoculars (optional)
Technical Equipment
- Harness
- Crampons with anti-snow plates
- Ice axe
- Helmet
- Hiking poles (optional)
- Descender
- Prussik and 4m accessory cord
- 2 120cm sling
- 3-4 locking carabiners
- Snapgate carabiner (if you have one)
- Ice Screw (if you have one)
- Microtraxion or Tibloc (if you have one)
General Information for Mountaineering School
Our team is here for you. If you have any questions, please contact us or visit us in our shop in Grindelwald. We are happy to help!
OUTDOOR - Mountaineering School Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103
3818 Grindelwald
Switzerland
Trip status for group courses
1-2 days before your tour or course we will review the weather forecast and conditions with the mountain guide to determine if we can operate. We will contact you by phone with an update.
Minimum of participants (group tours)
As soon as the minimum number of participants is reached, we will send you a confirmation by email.
Cancellation
If we have to cancel your tour, you have the option to reschedule to a new date, or you will receive a full refund.
Equipment
Please refer to the equipment list for your tour or course. At our shop in Grindelwald, you can purchase technical equipment, mountain clothing, shoes, and backpacks. We also have technical equipment available for rent.
Clothing
Choose functional clothing that is moisture-wicking and quick-drying. Dress in layers so you can easily react to temperature changes. The range at our shop in Grindelwald is tailored to mountain tours and our expert staff are happy to advise you on the best clothing for your tour or course.
Lunch
Lunch is not included in the offer. We recommend bringing bars, dried fruits, nuts, or a sandwich. The amount you will need to drink depends on your individual needs and the length of the tour. We recommend .75 -1.5 liters of water, warm tea, isotonic drinks, or whatever you prefer. We also recommend that you hydrate enough the day before, so your body is well prepared for the tour.
Huts
A mountain hut is not a hotel. Running water is not guaranteed and electricity is not available everywhere, so it is not always possible to charge batteries or phones. If you have special dietary needs, please inform us in advance so we can make arrangements with the hut.
Safety
Our tours and courses are led by IVBV certified mountain guides or mountain guide aspirants. We prioritise your safety by requiring regular training to ensure our guides have relevant, up to date knowledge. Outdoor is certified by the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) and our safety and emergency concepts are audited by this organization annually.
General terms of contract
Our General Terms and Conditions apply.