An operational mountaineering course to start, evaluate yourself or prepare for a summit
Highlights
- Course led by Bernard Muller, one of France's most renowned mountain guides.
- Acquisition of mountaineering and high-mountain basics for greater autonomy
- Focus on verticality, both on rock and ice
- Course held in the Chamonix valley in a particularly enchanting setting
- Accommodation in single rooms in hotels
Led by Bernard Muller, this course provides an introduction to climbing techniques in glacial and rocky environments. We review the use of all our equipment, and look at belaying the leader and second of the roped party, applying protection, abseiling on ropes, and more. We take a closer look at risk assessment, safety and crevasse rescue. The program offers two days of increasing technical difficulty. To conclude our vertical training, we climb a magnificent via corda in the spirit of a vertical expedition on a rocky route. Throughout the course, Bernard talks to us about his countless ascents and shares his expert guide tips. A course that immerses us in mountaineering and the high mountains... so that our first steps lead us to our most beautiful ascents.
Itinerary
Day 0
The mountains are an incredible but demanding environment, so our introductory mountaineering course enables us to learn how to progress confidently in an alpine setting and discover these foreign landscapes. Throughout the course, and during your evenings in particular, we focus on the essential elements needed to prepare for a successful expedition:
- survival in a hostile mountain environment ;
- crevasse rescue: self-rescue, hauling techniques, etc.
- pack preparation: mountaineering clothing, equipment, organization, etc.
- orientation: topographical preparation and map reading, use of GPS, preparation of walking angles, etc.
Early this morning, Bernard presents us with the program for our next 3 days.
DAY 1 : EQUIPMENT AND ROCK CLIMBING TRAINING IN A VERTICAL ENVIRONMENT
Day 1
We start with our leader by a rock school, practising first at our accommodation and then quickly on an outdoor wall (Les Gaillands climbing site or others).
Once there, we visualize the climbing equipment needed to ensure a safe ascent:
- ropes, the central element of mountaineering: tie-down ropes, double and twin ropes, etc. ;
- belts, cords, carabiners and quickdraws, harnesses, etc. ;
- climbing boots and shoes (their rigidity and weight according to the difficulty of the terrain) ;
- belay devices, stoppers and positioning for optimum hold.
Bernard introduces us to the use of ropes. We take time to learn about the importance of roping and knots: knots, abseiling ropes, belaying and self-belaying at belay stations, etc. We learn how to set protection points, belay, set up belays and use harnesses.
At the same time as Bernard introduces us to progression techniques, we learn how to abseil, and thus how to progress "length by length" in the opposite direction. We take a closer look at setting up the rope, using cords and self-belaying, and so on.
This afternoon, if we have time given what we've done this morning, we'll set off on a via ferrata from Le Fayet or another location chosen by our supervisor. This experience is both fun and allows us to get to grips with the vertical and the void in complete safety.
DAY 2: CREVASSE RESCUE PREPARATION
Day 2
As we gain more experience, we gradually become more confident on rocky terrain. To complete our climbing training, we devote the next day to safety techniques and crevasse rescue. A magnificent setting and a fascinating practical exercise!
Once on the terrain, we focus on different progression and belaying techniques:
- Leading and moving belay techniques: simple and efficient manoeuvres that require a high level of proficiency. We work on the role of the leader, which is essential for moving smoothly and maintaining stability in high-mountain situations;
- Pitch-by-pitch progression: this technique is suitable for more difficult terrain where there is a risk of falling.
Alongside our instructor, we practise how the first and second climbers should position themselves and how to adjust the rope distance between team members according to the difficulty of the terrain.
END OF EXPEDITION
For reasons that cannot be foreseen at this stage, such as unpredictable weather, the physical fitness or lack of fitness of participants or other circumstancess (customs formalities, road conditions, traffic, landslides, force majeure, etc.), your expedition leader may have to adapt the program, if necessary, to ensure the smooth running of your trip. He remains the sole judge and the one who guarantees your safety. Activity times are given as an indication and may vary from one participant to another.
The itinerary for all our expedition programs, or the ascent program for our high-mountain expeditions, are given here as a guide only. They are flexible enough to adapt to weather conditions with a few contingency days. In any case, you should follow the recommendations of your guide, who may suggest that you cancel your expedition due to weather, safety or physical conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a truly unsupported expedition, and that anything can happen. Expeditions Unlimited, your expedition leader, your guide or our local teams can in no way be held responsible.
Any costs incurred as a result of a change in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation, extra flights) will be borne by the participants and not by the organizers. "Contingency days" refer to the expedition in the strict sense of the term (base camp/base camp in the mountains, departure point/exit point on a traverse, etc.).
Any early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program, will be charged in full to the participants.
Trip notes
Guiding
Our course leader is Bernard Muller, one of the world's most experienced guides – see description above. He will adapt the content of the course to the technical and physical qualities of the participants, their current state of fitness, and the weather. He takes all decisions necessary to ensure that the course runs smoothly. His authority is absolute and undeniable. You must respect his decisions, as well as those taken collectively.
If, for reasons beyond our control, Bernard is unable to run the course, he will be replaced by another experienced French mountain guide. The services would not be modified, the conditions of the course would be identical and this change would not constitute a valid reason for cancellation.
For unpredictable reasons at this stage, like adverse weather conditions, insufficient physical condition of participants, insufficient competencies of participants related to the intended activities, your guide may decide to adjust the intended program and/or activities. At all times, his decision will be final on all matters likely to affect the safety and well-being of the trip.
Difficulty level
Level rated: challenging
This program is designed for participants who take part in a regular sports activity several times a week, including endurance activity.
This program is designed for participants who take part in a regular sports activity several times a week, including endurance activity.
Guides are increasingly reluctant to supervise under-age climbers on challenging alpine ascents for reasons of responsibility, especially if they don't know the participant's level. To find out more, don't hesitate to ask us if one of the members of your group is a teenager, and together we'll assess the feasibility of the project according to his or her experience.
Technical difficulty
Mountaineering level: F like... Easy (Facile in French!)
In this program, the use of mountaineering equipment (crampons, harness, ice ax, ropes, etc.) is necessary but the route covered does not involve any technical difficulty. It is therefore aimed at beginners or even participants who have never practiced. Clearly, a little prior experience in the activity can be interesting, knowing how to equip yourself, knowing how to tie a few essential knots. The mountaineering courses at our Adventure School from three days are for you. And this technical rating applies of course to normal weather conditions: the difficulty can increase in the event of bad weather conditions, fresh snow on rocks, insufficient or lack of quality of the ice, etc. Likewise, the situation changes radically, for the same technical level, with the altitude, the weight of the bag, the lack of equipment on the route, the fatigue associated with the approach if it is long, the environment if particularly hostile, etc.
Programme sans aérien
Meeting point directly at the course venue from 9 a.m. at Les Houches station (Chamonix valley).
Given the diverse origins of the participants on this trip, international outward and return flights are not included in this package. In most cases, we book flights on your behalf to ensure that the whole group arrives at the destination at the same time. We do not charge any fees for these air bookings. Please do not hesitate to contact us. If you book your own tickets, we will advise you on the ideal flight schedule to enable all participants to arrive within a reduced time frame. At the very least, you need tickets that can be modified.
Accommodations
Accommodation in a single room at the Hotel Campanules or, if unavailable, in a hotel of similar standard.
Meals
Half-board: breakfast and dinner are taken at the gîte. Lunches are in the form of picnics, and you contribute to a common fund on arrival: 45 euros for the whole stay.
Transfers / Transport
Transfer by private vehicle to activity sites.
Group size
The group is composed of 3 to 5 participants maximum. The number of participants is deliberately limited to allow for greater immersion, to avoid embarrassing our hosts, and to develop freedom and flexibility. However, the maximum number may be exceeded if the last person to register wishes to travel with one or more other people. The services will not be modified, and the conditions of the trip will remain the same.
Equipment
Personal equipment is not provided. However, a complete list is provided to allow you to check that you are taking what is necessary.
Our commitments to sustainable development
Our commitment to a better planet has been a reality since the beginning of our story but we always need to do more and better. Please find out more about our charter and our commitments in terms of sustainable development. We have drafted our charter and take action through six themes on which we act as concretely as possible, most often with you: social equity and cultural respect, preservation of water, waste management in expedition, protection of biodiversity, raise public awareness on these subjects and finally, the optimization and recovery of CO2 emissions.
Regarding carbon emissions, most of which are due to air travel, we calculated and communicated in 2018 on the carbon footprint of each of our programs, expressed in tonnes of CO2.
And in 2022, we have set ourselves a carbon reduction target that we believe is unprecedented in the tourism industry, aiming to reduce the total emissions of our activity by 5% per year, taking 2019 as the reference year (3,430 tonnes of CO2). This commitment is in line with the trajectory of the Paris climate agreements of 2015, the current benchmark. By 2030, we aim to not exceed 2,160 tons of CO2. In 2024, all Secret Planet journeys emitted 2,064 tons, well below our maximum limit of 2,940 tons. The ceiling for 2025 is 2,800 tons, and in 2026 it will be further reduced to 2,660 tons. And so on until 2030. To find out more about all of our calculations and our commitments in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
In addition, since 2019, we have been encouraging you when you book for your journey to contribute with a donation to an independent NGO, among the two we have selected that share the commitments made in our charter. We matched the amount of this donation to this program's carbon footprint. Thus, the journey you are considering generates 0,04 tons of CO2, which corresponds to a 100% donation of €1 for an estimated value today of €30 per tonne of CO2. This donation remains of course optional and you can decide to give between nothing and 100% of this amount. Since 2019, including covid years of 2020 and 2021, we have been able to collect thanks to you nearly €5,500 for these associations.
Please do not hesitate to come back to us with any questions you might have regarding this carbon footprint mechanism, our other sustainable développement commitments or even to share with us your experience through a chat or a mail at contact@secret-planet.com.
Bernard Muller, mountain guide
Alsatian by birth, Bernard Muller discovered mountaineering during his teen years.
It is in the late 70s that he begins long expeditions. In 1979 he led an expedition to the summit of Nanga Parbat (8125 m). In the purest alpine style, he then continued other 8000-meter peaks: the South of Dhaulagiri (8167 m) in 1980 and the West face of Manaslu (8163 m) in 1980. Two major successes. Over the following years, Bernard accomplished the South face of Aconcagua (the highest peak in Latin America 6962 m) and a world first without oxygen on the Southeast corridor of Kangchenjunga (8505 m).
Several times he led expeditions to the summits of Gasherbrum II (8035 m), Everest (8848 m), Cho Oyu (8201 m), Shishapangma (8027 m). Bernard then explored the polar lands and succeeded twice in the crossings of Greenland (1997 and 1998), Iceland (1999) and Baffin Island (2000). In short, he is one of the most experienced guides in the world.
Bernard has the expertise to optimize the chances of success of this expedition, in both management rate and group progression, key elements in this type of expedition.
Departures and pricing
Please find below all dates and prices for this expedition. Prices are quoted "from" and may be adjusted notably according to the number of participants (see trip notes for details). Please note that dates and prices for years beyond 2024, when given, are for guidance only and are subject to change and readjustment to take account of current economic realities.
No date works for me!
I initiate a new datePrice includes
- 3/4-star (***) hotel accommodation in Chamonix with breakfast, single room, for two nights
- Transfers by private vehicle between activity sites
- Meals as mentioned in the day-by-day program description
- Hotel accommodation in single rooms
- Mountain refuge accommodation in shared rooms and dormitories
- 1 experienced mountain guide for the group
- Collective equipment required for the program (fixed ropes, mooring devices)
- Cable carts and mountain lifts if used
- Climbing taxes and permits, government environmental taxes
Price does not include
- Transport to meeting point on first day
- Any additional hotel nights in Chamonix (over 1 night)
- Any transfers not mentioned in the day-by-day program description
- Meals other than those mentioned in the day-by-day program description
- Expenses related to the early return of the expedition or of certain members only (early success, abandonment, etc.), generating costs for accommodation, meals, changes to air tickets or other activities not provided for in this program
- Expenses related to a shift in the expedition schedule (extra nights' accommodation and meals, additional airfares)
- Tips for your mountain guide
- Personal equipment, including individual mountaineering gear
- Rental of personal equipment, subject to availability (ask us)
- Drinks and personal expenses (sightseeing, cabs, souvenirs, dry cleaning, etc.)
- Travel and expedition insurance (assistance, evacuation and repatriation)
Your private expedition, just for you!
Customized expedition
Bring your expedition to life—designed to match your ambition.
Does one of our existing expedition almost align with your objective? We can tailor it precisely: adjust the duration, refine the level of commitment, integrate specific goals (scientific, athletic, audiovisual production), adapt the logistics, or strengthen supervision and safety measures. This approach is built on proven terrain in order to create an expedition fully aligned with your goals.
Is your project unique and unlike anything that we currently offer? We design fully custom expeditions. This is no longer about adapting an existing program, but about building a complete project based on your constraints, your level of engagement, your objectives, and the realities of the field. Remote environments, extreme conditions, complex logistics, or specific projects (exploration, filming, scientific missions, personal challenges): every expedition is designed with precision and uncompromising standards.
For over 15 years, Expeditions Unlimited has been designing and operating expeditions worldwide—across all regions, environments, and activities—for individuals and corporate projects alike. Our field expertise ensures reliable systems, robust logistics, and controlled management of demanding environments.
Because every project is unique, our commitment is clear: to support you in designing and executing a safe, fully realized expedition that truly reflects your ambition.
Learn more about our custom expedition approach.
Tell us about your project
A few details are enough to get started. One of our experts will contact you within 48 hours to better understand your needs and propose a tailored approach.
Frequently asked questions
What physical and technical level is required for this course?
The required physical level corresponds to a regular sporting practice, several times a week, including endurance training. Technically, the course targets the easy alpinism level (F) and is aimed at people who have already completed a few alpine courses or outings, not absolute beginners.
What techniques should already be mastered before signing up?
Knowing how to put on a harness and crampons, walking with crampons, and tying the essential rope-work knots are prerequisites before day one. These basics are reinforced and expanded during the course, but they need to already be in place to progress safely.
Is this course suitable for a complete beginner in alpinism?
No, this course is not designed as a first introduction to alpinism: it is aimed at climbers who have already completed a few courses and want to consolidate their vertical progression techniques. Someone who has never climbed before should take an introductory course first.
What do the two days of the course actually involve?
The first day is a vertical rock school (fixed-rope clipping, rappelling, anchor building, belaying), followed by a via ferrata session in the afternoon. The second day covers leading on the rope and crevasse rescue techniques, including hauling systems and self-rescue, for around 8 hours of activity and 700 metres of elevation gain.
Where does the course take place?
The rock school takes place at Les Gaillands or an equivalent site, the via ferrata at Le Fayet or a comparable site, and the crevasse rescue day on a glaciated site in the Chamonix valley. Transfers between the hotel and the activity sites are by private vehicle, around one hour each way per day.
Can the program change because of bad weather?
Yes, the guide can adapt, change, or stop the program at any time depending on weather conditions and the group's physical condition. In poor conditions, some sections can also become more difficult than under normal weather.
What specific techniques are taught during the course?
The course covers clipping into fixed ropes, rappelling, anchor building, and belaying on rock, then leading on the rope pitch by pitch on a glacier. Crevasse rescue techniques, including hauling systems and self-rescue, are the focus of a full day.
What is the difference between the rock section and the crevasse rescue section?
The rock section (Les Gaillands and via ferrata) works on verticality, roped climbing, and belaying on dry, secured terrain. The glacier section focuses on roped travel on glaciated ground and managing a crevasse fall, a scenario specific to high-mountain routes.
How demanding is the crevasse rescue day?
This day involves around 8 hours of activity on the terrain for roughly 700 metres of elevation gain, on top of the hauling-system exercises. It is a sustained format that draws on the endurance mentioned in the required physical level.
Who leads this course and what is their experience?
The course is led by Bernard Muller, a French high-mountain guide who has climbed several peaks above 8000 metres in the late 1970s and 1980s (Nanga Parbat, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu) as well as polar crossings in Greenland, Iceland, and Baffin Island. In France, the high-mountain guide title requires holding the IFMGA/UIAGM diploma.
What is the guide-to-participant ratio on this course?
The group is deliberately capped at 3 to 5 participants maximum for one high-mountain guide. This tight ratio allows individual supervision during the technical exercises, especially during crevasse rescue manoeuvres.
What equipment is provided and what should be brought personally?
Shared technical equipment (fixed ropes, anchors) and the guide's supervision are provided. Personal high-mountain equipment (crampons, ice axe, harness, technical clothing) remains the participant's responsibility; rental can be arranged on request in advance.
What exactly does the course price cover?
The price includes 2 nights in a 2/3-star hotel in a single room with breakfast, private-vehicle transfers, the meals listed in the program, the high-mountain guide, and the shared technical equipment. Transport to the meeting point, personal equipment, insurance, and drinks are not included.
How is this course different from a standard introductory course?
Unlike a general introduction, this format focuses on verticality on rock and ice and on a module dedicated entirely to crevasse rescue, a skill rarely covered in depth over just two days. The small group of 3 to 5 participants reinforces this focus on technical refinement rather than first discovery.
What does this course lead to in an alpine progression?
This course is explicitly designed to prepare for higher-mountain expeditions by building autonomy on fixed ropes and confidence in handling a crevasse incident. It is a logical step before more committing glaciated objectives or a first guided expedition abroad.
Explore all our expeditions and training programs in Europe
Climb Matterhorn at 4478 meters in the Swiss Alps
Snowkiting course in Finse, Norway
Take part in the Drheam Cup sailing race
Discover Mountaineering
Mythical climbs in the Hoggar in Algeria
Climb Victory Peak at 7439 meters in Kyrgyzstan
