Any hiker, who for a moment considered winter mountaineering should take a professional course! On the first day of my mountaineering course, I knew this is the best decision I could take. We may think we possess enough knowledge and experience to control any situation in the mountain environment, but the reality is very different. Any activity undertaken at a different altitude than ground level, whether you are going below or above sea level requires significant knowledge, which is crucial in certain situations you may find yourself in one day. No matter how many trails you have hiked, tough times will come and you better be ready for it. Taking a mountaineering course is one of the top beneficial things you can undertake. Blogs and the internet are very helpful but they cannot be 100% predictable with the weather conditions we are facing up there on the mountain. Even on most weather-stable months, you can face unusual obstacles on any mountain trail. Check my experience from two professional mountaneering courses, graded I and II level.
Why to take a mountaineering course?
Apart from breathtaking mountain views, there are many reasons you should join a mountaineering course. If climbing or hiking in the Himalayas or Andes crossed your mind once you should definitely take the course for your safety, polishing your hiking skills.
I always knew I wanted to take a mountaineering course in Tatra Mountains in Poland. Why? The answer is simple – we have one of the best (or maybe the best) climbers in the world – it’s a fact, I’m not just saying. My two favorite mountain heroes are a huge inspiration: beloved Russian climber – Anatoli Boukreev and Polish climber – Jerzy Kukuczka called the mountain bear, both unstoppable and incredibly strong. Tatra mountains may not be the highest in Europe but they are very unpredicatble and demanding. Our instructior once said – Tatra Mountains have it all to learn every skill you need for serious mountaneering, don’t ever underestimate them.
Climbing courses in the Polish Tatra Mountains!
The Tatra Mountains are Alpine character. Orla Perc is the most difficult and most dangerous trail in Tatra Mountains. Mountain weather conditions in winter can change rapidly and you may face different aura in just 15 minutes. There are many accidents and fatalities in Polish mountains in winter and summer season. Some trails are known as one of the hardest in central Europe like Orla Perc.
A good reason for taking a climbing course in Poland is the price – it is cheaper than in the Alps and the scope of the training is exactly the comparing to what you get at the glacier. Additionally, we have top-profile climbing schools and instructions.
Apart from the knowledge I wanted to gain during the course, it is always nice to hear stories from most experienced climbers. 25 years on mountain trails taught them more than any book may hold.
Where to take a mountaineering course?
In the beginning, I thought I might take it in the Himalayas. Very bad idea! Mountaineering courses should be taken only in places where rescue teams are easily accessible, effective, experienced and highly professional. And that is only in Europe!
Anywhere outside of Europe (Georgia, Turkey, Russia), professional mountain rescue teams are not as accessible as in Europe. In Georgia – the first mountain rescue team was only established a few years ago. South America and Asia do not have internationally acclaimed rescue institutions.
How much does a climbing or mountaineering course cost?
Prices depend which course you are taking.
- BASIC MOUNTAINEERING COURSE (Level I) costs around 350-400 Euro for a 4-day course in Tatra Mountains – plus accommodation (150 Euro), food and transportation. Equipment is usually included in the price but try to have at least your own crampons.
- The rest of the equipment can be obtained on-site. It is difficult to travel with ice-axe, helmets, shovels, so most agencies supply this equipment.
- Mountaineering courses are very popular in Canada, Scotland, the UK and India and they may start from 4-day courses up to 28-day courses.
- SNOWDONIA MOUNTAINEERING INTRODUCTION COURSE (UK) costs £240-350 for a 2-3 days course.
Why to take a mountainnering course?
I only understood the importance of the course once it was accomplished. It gives you a great foundation to any future winter hikes. It teaches you all the techniques to feel confident while up in the mountains in heavy weather conditions.
- Try yourself out in the freezing cold! One of my biggest mistakes – never ever leave without breakfast! In winter conditions you are quickly losing body warmth and your energy levels may drop immediately, which eventually leads to hypothermia. Hypothermia may occur if you remain exposed for too long in cold conditions and run out of energy. You have to be self-sufficient up there, even though you are with your team, you have to maintain your condition and be responsible for yourself.
- You will get familiar with climbing equipment – how to use it properly, how it can help you save your life. Some of the equipment will be totally new for you like clips, spikes, ropes, avalanche detectors, or even ice-axe.
- You will learn how to PROPERLY walk in crampons up and down the slope.
- You will receive Navigation and avalanche training with detectors. This is probably the most important part of climbing – you have to know how to rescue people because the rescue helicopter won’t be there on time. 99% of people who died in the avalanche did not obtain avalanche training. You can only survive 15 to 20 minutes under the snow layer, while the rescue team needs at least 30 minutes to reach the site.
- Climbing technique in high mountains roped up with other climbers – this is what you’re going to learn during the course. We also did cave climbing in winter conditions.
Be aware of inexperienced skiers.
Inexperienced skiers can access any part of the mountains and easily cause an avalanche. This is exactly what happened when we were up in the mountains doing rope climbing. Luckily the skiers had avalanche detectors and they dug out two guys who got stuck under the snow.
What to take for a winter climb.
As mentioned above, never leave without breakfast, you need a lot of energy supply. Take proper food:
- chocolate, snacks – nuts, high energy bars,
- sandwitches
- warm tea in thermos – always with sugar/honey/ginger. Sugar is one of the most important nutrition in cold conditions.
- Always take at least 2 pair of gloves, an extra fleece and dry socks.
- Toe/foot warmer – thermo pads, it is possible to buy them in mountaineering shops. They keep your feet and hand warm up to 8 hours.
- Googles is a must but the glasses can’t be too dark.
- Headlight, mirror, whistle – best item for calling help in the mountains.
What is a program for a basic mountaineering course?
This is waht we did on our 4-day mountaineering course. You will receive a training details in advance but remember it all dependents on weather conditions.
DAY 1: Equipment check, proper walking and climbing in crampons – different techniques, use of ice-axe on slopes – self arrests and snow anchors. Use of avalanche detectors and practise and emergency procedures.
DAY 2: THE CLIMB. We hit Giewont summit the hard route – 1,895 metres above sea level and it is the highest peak of the Western Tatras. The weather was highly challenging, the wind was very strong in higher parts up to 50 km/hour. Avalanche danger was 2-3 on the 5-level scale, which basically means you shouldn’t leave your shelter. 🙂 Just above the summit we hit snowfall. But in the end, the aim of the course is to teach you climbing in heavy winter conditions and to accomplish the summit with the instructors, so you can be sufficiently unguided.
DAY 3: CAVE CLIMBING. Using the rope for ascent and descent (Abseiling) in snowy and icy conditions. Cave climbing – fantastic Dragon Cave in Western Tatra. Hiking through the canyon was fantastic.
While we were doing cave climbing we heard a rescue helicopter flying around. That was a sign of a rescue action somewhere in the mountains. After we found out the skiers going down were caught up by the avalanche and two of them had been rescued by their team thanks to avalanche detectors they had.
DAY 4: Rope use for glaciers and crevasse rescue – very useful, although I’m not sure if I can remember how to set up all the rescue mechanisms.. The most important thing – once you complete the course – go on a few climbing/hiking trips or expeditions to consolidate the knowledge and skills you obtained during the course. It is not possible to remember all the rope techniques unless you don’t practice afterward. You will also get familiar with the equipment and start doing things instinctively.
2nd Class Advanced Tatra Mountaineering Course.
Shortly after Basic Mountaineering Course I decided to contunue with advanced course level II. I booked it with Polish Mountaineering Association (PZA). February was much better month for climbing in high mountains – despite the incredible amount of snow it was much sunnier and temperatures are lighter. The price of the 4-day advanced course was similar to course level I.
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