Rope Team Coaching

Sporty
3 days
Mountaineers practise being on the "short rope"
mountaineers making knots
Mountaineer with rope tied around the upper body
Plan and lead tours safely
Take responsibility as a rope team leader
2 days of intensive coaching in the mountains

Season:

June October

Departure Times

09:45

Key info

Experienced alpine climber
Plenty of experience using an ice axe and crampons
Lead climbing at grade 3
Basic knot skills and navigation knowledge

You are interested to take on responsibility as the leader of a rope party.

Overview

Recommended for: Anyone who trades comfort for the view.

From Theory to Practice: Learn to independently plan tours and safely lead a rope team through alpine terrain.

Want to plan your own tours and safely lead a rope team? In this coaching course, you will learn the basics practically. From rope techniques to crevasse rescue, you will train everything important for responsible leadership. An experienced mountain guide will accompany you, provide direct feedback, and help you move more efficiently and safely in the mountains.

Course details

Academy

Learning objectives

  • Plan mountain tours efficiently and realistically
  • Identify and assess risks in glaciated terrain
  • Lead a rope team safely: switch between long and short rope
  • Practice navigation with map, compass, and GPS
  • Route selection and decision-making under real conditions
  • Practice crevasse rescue realistically
  • Build and test anchors in snow and ice
  • Improve personal rope handling and efficiency

Assessment methods

Progress is continuously assessed

Progress is continuously assessed through practical coaching in the field. The mountain guide observes, provides direct feedback, and supports individually. The focus is on independence, decision quality, and application of techniques under real conditions.

Certification

Certificate: Rope Team Coaching

Upon completion of the three-day course, participants receive a certificate. This confirms successful participation in the rope team coaching course, but is intended as a keepsake and is not an official document.

Issued by:
Outdoor Switzerland AG

Itinerary

Meeting points
Day1
Day 1: Ascent to Tierbergli Hut & Tour Planning
Meet at Hotel Steingletscher. The ascent to Tierbergli Hut is via an easy via ferrata: perfect for getting accustomed to the terrain and testing the equipment. At the hut, we discuss the coming days over coffee and cake. Planning is done independently: map, compass, weather report, you develop your tour concept with the support of the mountain guide.
Day2
Day 2: Implementing the Plan & Rope Techniques on the Glacier
Time to put the plan into practice. The goal is Tierberglimmi. On the glacier, the focus is on rope techniques, route selection, and decision-making. You lead the rope team and receive direct feedback. The west ridge of Gwächtenhorn offers ideal conditions to practice short-rope techniques. In the afternoon, we reflect on the tour and optimize techniques and processes.
Day3
Day 3: Tour to Sustenhorn & Crevasse Rescue
The highlight: climbing Sustenhorn at 3,503 m (11,493 ft). You now independently apply the techniques developed yesterday. The mountain guide intervenes only if necessary. On the way back, we train crevasse rescue. Efficiency is crucial here and practice makes perfect. After a final feedback session, we hike back down to Steingletscher.

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 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)
Sling 120 cm
Locking carabiners, approx. 3
Helmet
Abseil device
2 ice climbing axes
Sling 60 cm
Snapgate carabiner, approx. 2
Microtraxion and / or Tibloc (if you have one)
Ice screw (if you have one)
Trekking pole (optional)

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 point

Hotel Steingletscher, parking

Sustenstrasse 365, 3863 Steingletscher
DirectionsMore info
Meeting points
Activity location

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