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.

Petite Aiguille Verte (3512m) (Chamonix-Argentière).
We drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to France to the village of Argentière where will take the lift to Grand Montets. One of the classic routes here is the Petite Aiguille Verte. This is a mixed route which is normally done by the NW Ridge and ideal for learning on. PM – Return to Courmayeur. Overnight in the Valley.

Pointe Lachenal (3750m) Traverse.
We drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel to France to the Chamonix where will take the lift to Aiguille du Midi. From there we descend the arete and climb Pointe Lachenal Traverse. This route offers a good mixed climbing with both ice and rock alternating in quick succession. After we return at Cosmiques Hut for the night briefing looks at using alpine huts, alpine weather forecasts and alpine route planning – preparing for the climb on wednesday. Overnight in the hut.

Aiguille du Midi (3824m) Arète des Cosmiques from Cosmiqes Hut.
With a very short five minutes approach we climb one of the best and most famous routes in the range, the Cosmiques Arete has a bit of everything – rock, ice, snow and mixed. Great quality climbing, technical interest throughout and it finishes right at the cable car station. PM – Return to Courmayeur. Overnight in the Valley.

Tour Ronde (3798m) SE ridge
The South East Ridge is best climbed from the Torino hut, where an hours approach walk leads to the foot of the route. A steep slope leads up onto the crest, which is then followed to the summit. After we return at Torino Hut, for second night in the hut, we do a crevasse rescue session, covering skills appropriate to your ability and experience. Overnight in the hut.

Aiguille d’Entreves (3600m) from Torino Hut.
A great day out, traversing one of the best granite ridge crests in the range. The route isn’t overly long, making it ideal for a shorter day, or practicing leading on some varied alpine terrain. Fri PM – Return to Courmayeur, course debrief and advice for the future. Overnight in the Valley. End of program.

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