Travel to Courmayeur, to arrive in time for the Evening Briefing. Your guide will run through safety routines and kit checks, as well as hand out rental equipment for the week, before we go on to a detailed discussion of everyones ambitions for the week, together with the current weather and mountain conditions and how these affect our planning. We’ll also have maps and guidebooks to show you, so if you’ve any further questions or last minute requests, then this is the ideal time to bring them up before we head on to dinner. PM Overnight in the valley.

Introduction to Winter Rock Climbing. Move to a local valley crag and do some top roped climbing with an introduction to basic climbing and ropework techniques. Practice abseiling. Most likely venues are the famous valley crags of the Courmayeur Valley e.g “Palestra Jordaney”. Overnight in the valley.

Courmayeur – Grand Montets 3275m. Drive by Argentière via the Mont Blanc Tunnel-Chamonix and with cablecar ascend to a high mountain glacier for crampon & ice-axe training & glacier travel techniques. In the afternoon return in Courmayeur. Overnight in valley.

Ascent of Pointe Lachenal (3750m) – via the normal route. The first proper ‘alpine start’! Drive by Chamonix via the Mont Blanc Tunnel and take lift from Chamonix up to the Aiguille du Midi (3842m). Today, we aim to climb the Pointe Lachenal to kick-start the process of acclimatisation and to give us the chance to practice the use of ice-axe and crampons. We rope up at the top of the Aiguille Du Midi to descend its classic snow arête to the Col Du Midi (3532m). This is a stunning day out, with superb views of the big mountains of the Alps – the Drus, the Jorasses, the Courtes, the Droites, perhaps even a distant view of the Matterhorn. There are several small summits and view-points on the way as we traverse this spectacular glacier to reach the summit via a little steep slope. PM Return to Aiguille du Midi and after to Courmayeur. Overnight in valley.

Ascent of Aiguille d’Entreves est summit (3510m) – via the normal route. Is one of the best climbed from the Torino hut, where an hours approach walk leads to the foot of the route. A slope leads up onto the little rock face, which is then followed to the summit. Areas covered today include route choice, hazard evaluation and moving together on rock and mixed terrain. PM Descend to Courmayeur , planning session for the last two days. Overnight in valley

Ascent of Breithorn (4165m) – via the normal route. Drive by Cervinia and with cablecar ascend to Plateau Rosa 3515m. Walk up the glacier to the Klein Matterhorn area and from here in 1 hour to the top. The great views from the summit are definitely worth the effort. PM Return to Courmayeur via Cervinia. Overnight in the valley. End of program

After a night of well-deserved rest, departing from Courmayeur for your destination.