Alpine Ridge Climbing

One-day Alpine Ridge Training with Mike, packaged by Oak. A classic alpine ridge in the Mont Blanc massif, using the rope skills from a first course on a real objective. The aim is not just to reach the top but to understand how a guide moves a rope team along a ridge: when to move together, when to belay, when to pitch a short step, and when to turn round. You do the rope work yourself, with Mike alongside to correct and explain. We start with breakfast and a briefing at la Panière. Afterwards Mike debriefs the group in the Oak chat, and you receive his Alpine Essentials hand-out book to keep. Outline: 7:15 meet at la Panière for briefing and logistics: forecast, freezing level, which ridge Mike has picked for the conditions and why, turn-round time and a kit check. Lift up to the start of the day, then a roped glacier approach to the ridge. The objective is chosen a few days before to suit the group and the conditions, for example the Aiguilles Marbrees traverse from Punta Helbronner (PD+, granite). On the ridge: short-roping and moving together, coiling and uncoiling at transitions, terrain belays on spikes, a few short pitches, crampons on and off for mixed sections, abseils and down-climbing on the descent. Back down for the last lift. After the day: debrief with Mike in the Oak chat, with personal notes on what to practise before your first ridge without a guide, plus Mike's Alpine Essentials hand-out book. Who it's for: People who have done Bjartur's Glacier Skills Course or an equivalent glacier course, including ski tourers who want to move into ski mountaineering. Many big ski objectives finish on a ridge or a summit crest, and being able to move safely on that terrain opens up a lot of lines in the Mont Blanc massif. You can walk confidently in crampons on hard ice and on 30 degree snow, tie into a rope with a figure of eight without help, and have abseiled at least once. You can move for 7 hours at 3000 to 3500m with short scrambling sections, and are comfortable with exposure on a ridge where a slip would be serious. Climbing grade is easy (up to about UIAA III), but the terrain is committing. Bad weather: If wind, fresh snow or poor visibility make high ridges unsafe, Mike picks a lower ridge closer to the valley. The ridge skills stay the same. Insurance: Mountain rescue insurance is required.

• Stiff mountaineering boots that take crampons, crampons, ice axe,harness, helmet, belay device, two locking karabiners, one 120cm sling, a prusik cord, a 30litre backpack, waterproof shell jacket and trousers, warm insulated jacket, thin and warmgloves, hat, glacier sunglasses, sun cream, passport or ID card (some ridges start on theItalian side), packed lunch, 1.5 litres of water and snacks.

Explain when a rope team should move together, pitch or turn round Shorten the rope and take coils for ridge travel, and lengthen again for the glacier Use spikes and flakes as running belays while moving Belay a partner up a short step from a simple rock anchor Set up and run an abseil and down-climb safely Take crampons on and off on mixed ground without losing time Plan the timings for a ridge day and set a turn-round point

• Guides on Oak are verified by Oak, but users should independently confirm a guide’s qualifications.

• Participants are responsible for ensuring their skill level and fitness are suitable for the activity.

• Individuals should only attempt techniques or terrain they feel personally confident with.

• All instructions and safety guidance from the guide should be followed at all times.

• Users must ensure their own equipment is appropriate and in safe working condition.

• Mountain activities carry inherent risks, and participation is at the user’s own discretion.

• Adequate insurance covering mountain travel and rescue is essential.

• Relevant medical information should be shared with the guide.

• Plans may change due to weather or safety considerations, and users should be prepared for this.