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Oak Course
Location
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Date
Sat, 10 Oct 2026
Estimated Duration
1 Day
One-day Glacier Skills Training, packaged by Oak This is a practical one-day course designed to introduce and build the essential skills you need to move safely and efficiently on glaciated terrain. We'll head up onto the Mer de Glace with the Montenvers train, where the course will take place on suitable sections of hard glacier ice. This course takes place in a glaciated, high-mountain environment, and conditions on the Mer de Glace can change quite a bit depending on weather, season and glacier movement. Your guide may adjust the itinerary and exercises on the day to make sure everything stays on suitable terrain and in safe conditions. You should already feel comfortable hiking in mountain terrain and using crampons. Previous glacier experience is a bonus but not essential, unless stated otherwise. Meeting Point: 8am at Couloir Café, Chamonix, for a complimentary breakfast and to pick up your packed lunch (just let us know ahead of time if you have any dietary restrictions). From there, we'll take the Montenvers train up to access the Mer de Glace and choose suitable terrain based on current glacier conditions. Note: the train ticket isn't included in the course price, but it's free if you have a Mont Blanc Unlimited pass. At the end of the day, we'll regroup at the Oak office for a cosy debrief apéro, with a complimentary drink and snack to wrap things up.
• Stiff mountaineering boots suitable for crampon use
• Crampons
• 1 ice axe
• Harness
• Mountaineering helmet
• ATC or similar belay device
• 2x ice screws
• Petzl Micro Traxion or equivalent progress-capture pulley
• 6 locking carabiners
• 2 × 120 cm slings
• 2 × 3–5 m cordelette
• 1 designated Prusik cord for rappelling
• 1 × approximately 40 m glacier rope for every 2 participants
Group size
Up to 6 participants
Level
Beginner
Cost
€140 per person
Depending on conditions, group experience and how the day progresses, we'll cover: Crampon & ice axe skills: * Efficient movement on hard glacier ice * Use of the ice axe on steeper terrain * Movement while attached to a rope Rope work: * Basic glacier rope techniques * Rope management * Tying and using relevant knots * Setting up a rappelling and ascending system Anchors: * Building anchors in hard ice * Ice screw placement * Equalising multiple protection points * Constructing simple, efficient glacier anchors * Understanding the strengths and limitations of different anchor configurations Crevasse rescue & pulley systems: * Principles of crevasse rescue * Building a basic hauling system * Using a Micro Traxion and pulley systems * Progress capture The exact content will be adapted to the conditions and the group's experience on the day. Our goal isn't just to demonstrate techniques — it's to give you the chance to build and dismantle these systems yourself, so you come away understanding when and why each one is used.
• 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.
