Meeting point
OUTDOOR - Shop and Café Grindelwald
Dorfstrasse 103, 3818 Grindelwald
Basic Course Mountaineering
2 days
Learn basic climbing and belaying techniques
Practice rope and crampon use in a practical setting
2 days of intensive training on rock and ice
Season:
May October
Departure Times
Key info
No mountaineering experience required
You should be a regular hiker
Good physical condition
You should be sure-footed on rocky and pathless terrain and have no fear of heights.
Overview
Recommended for:
Anyone who trades comfort for the view.
From hiking to mountaineering: Learn rope techniques, climbing, and using crampons to safely conquer your first alpine tours.
2 days of intensive training on rock and ice. Learn climbing and belaying techniques, walk on glaciers with crampons, and learn how to use an ice axe. Perfect for beginners with hiking experience who want to summit mountain peaks in the future. Combines theory and practice in an alpine setting.
Course details
AcademyLearning objectives
- Packing a backpack for a mountain tour
- Knowing and using technical equipment for high-altitude tours
- Learn the most important knots
- Practice rope and belaying techniques in simple terrain
- Learning to walk and climb with crampons and ice axe
- Practicing walking and climbing on rock
- Learning and applying tour planning
Assessment methods
Progress is continuously assessed
Learning progress is assessed through practical exercises, active participation, behavior, and teamwork. Verbal feedback and recommendations for further tours are provided by the mountain guide.
Certification
Certificate: Basic Mountaineering Course
Upon completion of the two-day course, participants receive a certificate. This confirms successful participation in the Basic Mountaineering Course in Grindelwald, but is intended as a keepsake and is not an official document.
Issued by:
Outdoor Switzerland AG
Itinerary
Meeting points Day1
Day 1: Rock Training
After meeting and a brief equipment introduction at the OUTDOOR Shop & Café, we head into the mountains. At a rock crag, you will learn basic rope and belaying techniques, knots, anchor building, and how to move in steep terrain. Simple climbing sections give you a feel for the rock, while abseiling exercises build your confidence in the equipment. Evening discussions cover tour planning and alpine hazards.
Day2
Day 2: Ice Training
Today, we head to the glacier. With crampons and ice axe, you will practice proper walking techniques on snow and ice. You learn how to rope up and how to identify and cross crevasses. Theory is applied directly in practice: How do I react if someone falls? How do I travel on glaciers? An intensive day with real alpine character.
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
Costs for cable cars and travel expenses of the guest
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 20-25 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)
Sling 120 cm
Locking carabiners, approx. 3
Helmet
Abseil device
Snapgate carabiner, approx. 2
Ice screw (if you have one)
Trekking pole
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 20-25 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)
Sling 120 cm
Locking carabiners, approx. 3
Helmet
Abseil device
Snapgate carabiner, approx. 2
Ice screw (if you have one)
Trekking pole
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
If you don't own any technical equipment you can rent everything with us. We offer you a set price of CHF 35 for all the technical equipment needed.
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