Alpine Climbing Kickstart 

With IFMGA Mountain Guide Dave Searle

Get started with alpine climbing the right way: Master essential skills, equipment and knowledge with expert guidance from an IFMGA guide for the ultimate kick start into safe and successful alpine climbing adventures. This course is designed for those looking to pursue objectives in the European alps but there is a ton of cross over to all alpine environments.

This course is for anyone who:

  • Is interested in getting into alpine climbing, specifically European alpine climbing, but isn't sure where to begin.

  • Has hiking or climbing experience and wants to advance to more technical terrain.

  • Has a longterm goal of safe and sustainable autonomy in the mountains.

  • Is looking to get prepared before an in-person introductory alpine climbing course. 

  • Dreams of climbing iconic peaks like Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn and wants to build a solid foundation for their journey.

The objectives of this course:

  • To understand the basics of glacier travel, mountain conditions and weather in the alpine environment. 

  • To master the basic knots and hitches essential in alpine climbing. 

  • To get familiar with alpine climbing grades and classic routes. 

  • To help you save money on clothing and equipment by learning the best choices for alpine climbing.

  • To know all the alpine climbing lingo so you won't get lost in unfamiliar climber-jargan. 

  • To become a valued member of any alpine climbing team. 

Meet Your Instructor, Dave Searle

My name is Dave Searle and I’m a British climber and skier originally from Devon in the South West of England. Currently based in the mountain mecca of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, I’m living and working as an IFMGA Mountain Guide and pursuing my own outdoor objectives. Be it skiing in the winter or alpine climbing in the summer, you’ll likely find me out in the mountains most days. Recently, I have taken to the air and I’m excited about the possibilities paragliding will give me to link big routes on high alpine peaks and fly down at the cost of carrying 1.8kg of wing and harness. I also love to ride my enduro bike around the alps discovering high alpine flow trails and steep descents.

Self Paced, Entirely Online

Online learning offers a flexible and accessible approach to avalanche education, allowing students to engage with essential content at their own pace and on their own schedule. This format enables learners to revisit complex topics as needed, ensuring a thorough understanding before heading into the mountains.

What’s Covered?

    • What is Alpine Climbing vs. Mountaineering? (Video + 3 min read)

    • Alpine Climbing Terminology (5 min read)

    • Mountain Conditions Throughout the Year (Video 13:29)

    • Weather (Video 12:44)

    • Alpine Climbing Grades (5 min read)

    • Case Studies of Classic Routes (7 min read)

    • Clothing & Equipment Introduction (Video 2:22 & PDF)

    • Top Half (Video 11:36)

    • Neck & Head (Video 5:57)

    • Gloves (Video 10:15)

    • Bottom Half (Video 4:05)

    • Footwear (Video 8:14)

    • Helmet (Video 2:55)

    • Harness (Video 21:18)

    • Personal Equipment on the Harness (Video 16:16)

    • Crampons Part 1 - Selection & Compatibility (Video 9:05)

    • Crampons Part 2 - How to Fit Them to your Boot and Store Them Away (Video 22:18)

    • Ice Axes (Video 9:29)

    • Backpacks (Video 11:50)

    • Introduction into Rock & Ice Protection (Video 15:26)

    • Kit for Overnights in Huts (4 min read & PDF)

    • The 10 Most Useful Knots & Hitches (Video 17:53)

    • Common Mistakes and Considerations When Tying a Figure of 8 Knot (4 min read)

    • Tying into the Rope. Perfectly. (Video 8:26)

    • Tying in with a Rethreaded Figure of 8 Knot (TEST)

    • Attaching yourself to an Anchor (Video 14:30)

    • Climbing Calls on the Wall (4 min read)

    • Setting up a Rappel (Video 15:05)

    • Putting on Crampons (Video 3:43)

    • Dealing with Slings (Video 6:03)

    • How not to Drop your Belay Device (Video 2:09)

    • Stashing & Holding your Ice Axe (Video 4:44)

    • ntroduction into Glacier travel (Video 20:51)

    • Nutrition & Hydration (4 min read & PDF)

    • Fitness & Training (3 min read)

    • Hut Etiquette (6 min read)

    • Packing your Backpack (Video 18:36)

  • The module addresses the trailhead check, focusing on beacon and equipment verification. It highlights the importance of observant travel in relation to snow, weather, and terrain, and covers route selection. Managing the group in terrain involves following travel protocols and maintaining effective communication. It also includes terrain identification, recognizing slope scale features, identifying avalanche terrain, and making safe terrain choices.

  • The module covers beacon use, probing, and shoveling techniques for avalanche rescue. It includes simple one and two-person burial techniques and focuses on incident response, including leadership, safety protocols, and checklists. Developing a plan based on terrain, avalanche size, and available resources is also discussed. The module addresses response strategies both as an avalanche victim and as a rescuer, highlights special problems and common mistakes, and emphasizes the role of first aid and emergency response in real avalanche rescues.

Testimonials

  • Loving the course thus far even though it's skills I've previously learned. It's super beneficial to see how a pro works and I can use these little tidbits of info to improve my knowledge and reinforace what I already have experience of!

    Rob

  • For me, this was a good refresher course. Wish there was something like this in the old days when I started climbing (61 now, started climbing in 1985)

    Alex

  • Very well done! Thank you. I really like the depth and quality of the videos in this introductory course. It really made me excited to explore the mountains again in the future. Looking forward to more courses on other topics.

    Michel

Begin Learning Today

This course is offered in conjunction with Dave Searle Guiding and is hosted directly on his platform.