The French Pyrenees offer a wonderful alternative to Alps or Scottish
highlands for the aspiring winter mountain traveller. The vastness of
these mountains and its many unvisited valleys passes and summits in
winter successfully relay an experience of true wilderness. Be it
whether you aspire to trek and climb in Scotland or have your sight set
on Himalayan size peaks. A more ideal playground to learn the basic
requirements for winter mountain travel would be hard to find. By
undertaking a closely supervised mountain journey, our introductory
course is structured towards increasing your knowledge and
confidence in being in the winter mountain environment.

Winter skills

The course covers the learning of such skills as:

» Safety in the winter environment.
» Snowshoeing.
» Assessing avalanche hazard.
» Basic navigation.
» Ice axe and crampon work on varying terrain and conditions.
» Building snow and ice anchors and belays.

Moving together over snow and ice. Construction of snow holes and weather forecasting. A greater understanding of
expedition travel will be gained as further skills such as expedition nutrition clothing and winter camp craft will be
demonstrated on the journey phase of the course.

Day 1

Arrive Luchon. Settle into guesthouse/hotel. Course briefing covering essential information for the following days
and sort out food, personal equipment and group equipment. Local walk on snowshoes. Weather forecasting.

Day 2

Transfer to Mountains. Snowshoe into venue area. This area will always be spectacular but will vary according to
local weather and conditions forecast. In the past they have included the Hospice de France, Valle de Benasque
and the Vignemale areas. Today we concentrate on learning the use of ice axe and crampons (including ice axe
arresting and perhaps a spot of ice climbing) and we do practical assessment of avalanche risk.

Days 3-5.

Mountain journey and ascent of a local mountain(s) in winter conditions.

Emphasis on mountain safety, weather, snow/ice conditions and a chance to fully learn the skills taught on the
previous days. We generally stay in a mountain hut but at least one night will be snow holing.

Day 6.

Snow shoe out...

For Accommodation and Luchon valley information see: www.papilio-luchon.com

Dates: December 2008 to end of March 2009

Cost: €300 per day for up to 4 clients. (Guiding fee only)