FAQ

Why hiring a mountain guide?

Even in the most demanding terrain: With his world leading training and his many years of experience, your mountain guide will show you the best path and technique to your goal. He will help you to reach and push your own limits, he will belay you, take care of the schedule, and he will make sure that you will reach shelter BEFORE darkness or bad weather strikes. However, you will be climbing on your own physical resources, you will be carrying your own backpack and you will overcome demanding climbing spots. At the end of the day that is what matters for you: to gain confidence in your abilities beyond your day to day life experiences.

Fitness

You enjoy walks, you like it unhurried. 2 to 3 hours of walking time are no issue for you.

You like unhurried walks but do appreciate something more challenging. 5 hours walking time are finde with you.

You are already a bit ambitious and you don’t mind 6 to 7 hours walking time.

You are in great shape, 8 to 9 hours of walking / climbing are not your limit.

You are physical fitness is way beyond average, even after 9 to 10 hours of walking / climbing you will enjoy your beer with a smile.

Please consider the minimum climbing rate based on these degrees of fitness 300 m or 1000 ft vertical per hour. From level and higher it is 500 m or 1500 ft vertical per hour, both with light backpacks.

Back country skiing / free riding

In the lowest difficulty level, you move on the border between ski run and off-piste area. You can already participate in my “guided ski tours for beginners” with this own skills. If you want to improve, I recommend you the course “Skitours for Beginners – from Piste to Off-Piste”.

You mastered the safe stem turn in each type of snow in gentle, max. little more than 30 ° inclined terrain. In ascent, there are no or only occasional switchbacks.

In occasional steep sections of 30 to 35 °, the safe stem turn does not cause you any problems. For the ascent you need switchback technique.

In moderately sloping terrain you ski in parallel, frequent steep passages around 35 °, occasionally more, you can do with a safe stem turn. On the ascent your switchbacks are reliable. Occasional carrying passages up to 40 ° you overcome with crampons. Lightweight climbing sections * (max UIAA I-II) are possible for you.

You are a very good skier and master the stem or parallel turn in any type of snow on an average slope of 35 to 40 °. You are also saddle-fast in the exposed area when it comes to switchback technique. Frequent carrying passages around 40 ° with crampons as well as occasional climbing sections * (max. UIAA II) do not take the courage.

*In general not obligatory.

High alpine tours / climbing tours

There are no special techniques necessary. You are sure-footed.

You master walking with crampons in occasional glacier passages with 30 to 35 ° incline.

Even if steep glacial or firn passages increase up from 30 to 35 °, you move safely. Your technique repertoire includes (from this level of difficulty) climbing with frontal points. A few easy rock passages (max UIAA I to II) you overcome quickly.

Although most of the tour is on steep glacier or firn terrain averaging 35 °, sometimes 40 °, you’ll still feel well. Moderate rock passages (UIAA II to III) you master without much thought.

At the highest level of difficulty, absolutely safe frontal point technique is mandatory. You have to overcome glacier or firn slopes up to 45 °, occasionally up to 50 °. You are a good rock climber, who does not shy away from difficult rock passages (maximum UIAA III to IV).

Your Packing List

In order to make your tour enjoyable, please consider our required packing list diligently. It is base on our long experience, we know what you really need on the mountain and what is unnecessary. Each item has its meaning, even if it keeps untouched in your backpack throughout your tour. And don’t pack more than that. A light pack makes your experience more enjoyable, you are faster and safer and less exhausted.

1) High alpine tours / climbing tours

General:

Medium sized back pack (35-40 liters)
Solid, waterproof and crampon proof boots (obligatory). Crampon proof boots feature rigid bottoms, at least category C or better D (refer to http://www.meindl.de/deutsch/modelle/anwendungsgebiete.html for reference).
Headlamp
Swiss army knife
Halbtax-Abo (Swiss rail discount card if at hand)
Alpine club membership card (i.e. SAC, DAV, ÖAV, AVS, etc.)
Personal medication if applicable
First aid kit

Technical Equipment:

Ice axe (60-80 cm)
Climbing helmet
Crampons with anti snow balling plates (obligatory)
Climbing harness
2 HMS carabiner
2 standard carabiner
120 cm runner
Static rope 3m / 5mm
Ice screw (if available)
Trekking poles (recommended)

Clothing:

Long weather resistant pants
Optionally Waterproof rain / storm pant
Gaiters
Weatherproof jacket
Hat
Warm gloves
Spare gloves
Thermo underwear
Socks
Fleece shirt / sweater or lightweight down / synthetic fiber jacket
Spare underwear

Miscellaneous:

Sun glasses
Snow goggles (recommended)
Lip / Skincare
Thermo bottle or water bottle 1 liter
Hot tea for the first day
Light weight food for the first day*
Toiletries*
Silk liner (sleeping bag)*
* stick to the minimum – you will have to carry your stuff yourself. Slippers are available at the huts.

2) Alpine ski tours

General:

Backpack with attachments for skier and ice axe
Swiss army knife
Personal medication if applicable
First aid kit
Bivy Bag for 2
Halbtax-Abo (Swiss rail discount card if at hand)
Alpine club membership card (i.e. SAC, DAV, ÖAV, AVS, etc.)

Technical Equipment:

Well maintained touring ski (sharp edges!), with tour binding and stopper
Customized climbing skin in good condition
Ski poles with snow cups
Digital avalanche transceiver with latest software update
Shovel
Probe
Ski crampons fitting to binding
Alpine touring ski boots

Clothing:

Ski socks (I recommend wool, i.e. Smart wool)
Long and short sleeve shirt, long and short underpants
Touring pant, soft shell recommended
Soft shell jacket or vest
Insulating layer: compact lightweight down or synthetic fiber jacket or fleece sweater / jacket
Goretex jacket, I recommend compact and lightweight models
Warm gloves or mittens
Light spare gloves for ascends
Cap

Miscellaneous:

3) Additional equipment for high alpine ski tours

General:

Head lamp
Swiss army knife

Technical equipment:

Ice Axe (60-80 cm)
Crampons with anti snow balling plates (obligatory)
Climbing harness
2 HMS carabiner
2 standard carabiner
240 cm runner
Static rope 3m / 5mm
Ice screw (if available)

4) Additional equipment for multi day alpine ski tours

Spare underwear**
Additional food**
Toiletries, light weight**
Silk liner (sleeping bag)**
** stick to the minimum – you will have to carry your stuff yourself. Slippers are available at the huts.

What insurance do I need?

As a mountain guide customer you are responsible for your own accident insurance and optionally travel cancelation insurance. Alpine Clubs offer their members insurance packages oftenly included in basic memberships. Please check with your local Alpine Club (SAC, DAV, ÖAV, AVS, etc.) Also, most huts offer discounts to members of these clubs. Your mountain guide is covered thru his professional organization.

What happens in case of bad weather?

Sometimes weather does not cooperate with us outdoor enthusiasts. Well that is nature. It will be up to the mountain guides discretion to decide whether it is safe to undertake the tour, or cancel it. Safety of our customers is our highest priority.
Our core team of experienced mountain guides know how to deal with bad weather. Mostly they will find an alternative tour that will suit your expectation. You can trust us 100%!

What happens in case the number of participants is not sufficient?

Occasionally we do not get sufficient bookings for a specific tour or customers cancel their bookings. Due to our superior reputation that doesn’t happen often. In order to facilitate you with your desired tour we will work with you to establish a reasonable price within our frame of financial possibilities.