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archlimber
Nov 30, 2006, 8:20 AM
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Registered: Jun 11, 2006
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Does anyone have any suggestions about a guide(guiding agency)/course for ice climbing around Zermatt? I am newer to ice climbing and can't decide if I want to shell out the money for a guide or take a 'second level' type of course. I want it t be worth while if I shell out the money, so peoples suggestions are much appreciated.
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uasunflower
Nov 30, 2006, 9:35 AM
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don't know about guides, but there isn't that much waterfall ice around zermatt in my memory, better places for that might be Arolla or Ecrins in France. But if you're there anyway you'll have to do with what is there. Everything there is pretty expensive though, not sure if you'll easily find what you want...it's also much more skiing-oriented in winter...
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heiko
Nov 30, 2006, 4:00 PM
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Registered: Mar 3, 2005
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There's always the mountain guide center on the main street ("Bahnhofstrasse") in Zermatt, once you're there. They'll help you. What type/grade of ice climbing are we talking about?
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archlimber
Nov 30, 2006, 4:17 PM
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Well... I have previously climbed WII 3-4 cascades. But I would like to find some easyer long pitch more alpine style ice... maybe Grade III-IV. I am newer to ice, and looking to spend a day in awsome alpine terrain insead of only at the base of a cascade (but I enjoy that too).
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chrtur
Dec 4, 2006, 5:21 PM
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Registered: Jun 7, 2005
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If you have the money and you are willing to spend it, you should look at the longer courses given for a week or so? Usually it is a ratio of 1:2 between guide and clients.
You will be able to climb a lot, learn a lot and so on depending on you and the guide. Even make suggestion to the guide what you would like to do. Just taking a two days course makes no sense if you have other plans then just trying.
- C
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uasunflower
Dec 5, 2006, 10:32 AM
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archlimber wrote: Well... I have previously climbed WII 3-4 cascades. But I would like to find some easyer long pitch more alpine style ice... maybe Grade III-IV. I am newer to ice, and looking to spend a day in awsome alpine terrain insead of only at the base of a cascade (but I enjoy that too).
if you're new to alpine terrain, it's better to go do some goulottes in spring/early summer time say in Chamonix for a start - winter is harsh, it's dark around 3 in december, cold, snow makes you spend all your strength on the approach, you will probably need skis to get up/down from the climb...and it will cost you more...
if i were you i'd do waterfalls in winter to get technique and go up alpine in spring/summer to get the real thing...
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