Glacier travel and crevasse self-rescue course

Glacier travel and crevasse self-rescue course

Prepare for future Alpine and glacier trips by practising roped travel, crevasse rescue and hauling systems. This course is for mountaineers with previous experience who want to add these techniques to their skills.

Course content

• Glacier-travel equipment.
• Roping up and glacier movement.
• Moving together on a rope.
• Snow and ice belays.
• Abseiling on snow.
• Crevasse rescue.
• Hauling systems.
• Self-rescue.
• Mountain safety and snow science.
• Avalanche-rescue techniques using transceiver, shovel and probe.

Previous experience and personal equipment

• Completion of Mountaineering Level 1, or experience on AD-grade snow terrain with slopes up to 45° under the published prerequisites. AD is the alpine grade meaning “fairly difficult”.
• Personal equipment: crampons, a classic ice axe, helmet, harness, Reverso or equivalent device, locking carabiners, accessory cord and slings.

Practical information

• Duration: two days.
• Season: December to May.
• Hours: 08:00–15:00.
• Group: two to six participants.
• Locations: Sierra Nevada near Granada, Guadarrama near Madrid and the Pyrenees; ask about other Spanish areas.
• Dates: ask for dates and availability.
• Places: contact us for current availability.

Included

• Qualified mountain guide.
• Public liability insurance.
• Accident insurance.
• A photographic record of the course.
• Shared equipment, including ropes, belay equipment, pulleys and rope ascenders.

Frequently asked questions

Is the training carried out on an actual glacier?

The course teaches glacier techniques in several mountain areas, including Sierra Nevada and Guadarrama. Manoeuvres are practised on suitable terrain; confirm the exact location for your course.

What previous experience is required?

Mountaineering Level 1 or equivalent experience on moderately difficult snow terrain, as specified in the programme. The listed personal mountaineering equipment is also required.

Ask about dates and availability for this course.