Ice Climbing Day in Chamonix

Itineraries are subject to change depending on weather conditions and the level of participants. Here are some examples of excursions:

Name: La Crèmerie des Glaciers - Difficulty: III+ - Length: 70 metres

• Meet your guide at 9am (at the precise spot confirmed the evening before).
• Sébastien will check all your equipment and then you'll head to the foot of the Argentière glacier to the Crèmerie des Glaciers.
• You'll discover how best to use crampons and ice axes in 30-metre-high stretches of ice between 70° and 75°.
• You'll also climb a 70-metre icefall.

Name: L'EMHM - Difficulty: IV - Length: 110 metres

Situated on the left bank of the Argentière glacier, this is a beautiful waterfall 110m high at 80° maximum.

You can admire the icefalls on the right bank of the glacier, many of which are of difficulty VI. You can do moulinettes in the first pitch to climb in the rock (dry-tooling) or in thin ice.

Name: Gorges de l'Arveyron - Difficulty: III to V - Length: 50 metres

• These gorges offer a wide choice of waterfalls in a magical setting.
• You'll start by climbing the waterfall just a few metres from the clear, powerful waters of the Arveyron.
• The ice is very sculpted here and you will often have to climb just by putting your ice axes in holes, a technique known as "crocheting".
• You'll be able to take on 90° V difficulty stunts as a second to test your strength.

Name: Mini Couloir - Difficulty: IV - Length: 40 metres

You'll find 2 superb waterfalls here. They are located on the left bank of the Argentière glacier.

Each of them offers a wide range of climbing options, so you can do them several times, particularly with dry-tooling routes.

Name: Troulero - Difficulty: IV+ - Length: 190 metres

Venture into the Eau Noire valley in Switzerland, 2 kilometres from the border.

• To find the waterfall, you will enter a deep gorge where everything is ice.
• You will climb 4 pitches with numerous short 90° sections, all in a magnificent setting.
• After your ascent, you return to Chamonix.

• Progress in ice climbing (grades IV+ to V).
• Dry-tooling fairly easy sections (M3 to M4).
• Providing a second and a leader.
• Learn the basics of lead climbing.
• Know how to use safety equipment on this type of terrain (ice screws, stoppers and pitons).
• How to make an abalakov.

You need to be in good physical condition to take part in this activity.

If the weather conditions are particularly bad in France, it is still possible to continue the route in the Val de Cogne (in Italy), which is just an hour from Chamonix. The icefalls are just as beautiful on the Italian side as on the French, and the terrain is just as numerous and varied, allowing climbers of all abilities to enjoy themselves.

Ice climbing uses a rating system founded in Canada and used in Europe. This system reflects the difficulty of a route, giving you an idea of the potential dangers, such as a rock fall or serac.

The activities proposed by Sébastien range from "fairly difficult" to "difficult":

Fairly difficult level: slight incline (60° on compact ice). The waterfalls can be climbed easily with an ice axe, but you still need a good technique. On the higher levels, you will always need two ice axes. Difficult level: almost vertical landings of almost 10 metres; sustained climbing most of the time, requiring a high level of technique. You also need to know how to use belay equipment.