Tips from
Martin Elias

ALPINISM : Some tips & tricks to reach your first winter alpine climbing

Alpinism history

Winter alpinism is worth a try as long as you prepare correctly and you’re bold enough to give it a shot

First start with an objective of the right difficulty, meaning a notch below what you usually climb and preferably without a bivouac.

Even Chamonix’s Cosmiques ridge, which you may have climbed numerous times with friends, will be enough to fill a day. This will give you the chance to iron out the various technical details and evaluate your winter climbing ability without facing too much commitment.

Forget the notion of “good conditions”

You’ll most definitely find snow where you’d rather not, cold rock, excessively dry conditions, and difficult weather. On steep terrain your hands will be numb, and on easy terrain you’ll sink into the snow up to your waist. Or you might face both of these challenges at once!

You just have to expect it, dress accordingly, and forget about trying to go fast.

Dry tooling and endurance activities are a good training base for these kinds of challenges.

Get ready for the joys of being uncomfortable

• constant cold
• spindrifts that find their way down your neck or back
• frozen energy bars that are hard enough to break a tooth

If you decide to bivouac, you’ll also get to experience:
• long nights and waking up in the dark under a layer of frost
• days that are too short
• endless evenings spend melting enough snow for two measly liters of water
• the heavy pack: clothing, bivy gear, stove, gloves, shell gloves, boots, over-boots…

Correct gear preparation is key

• lightweight equipment to make climbing and hiking less tiring: Warthog 45L pack, Choucas Light harness, Akila ice axe, Dyneema slings, twin ropes, lightweight carabiners and a carefully chosen selection of pitons, cams, and ice screws (depending of course on the route’s technical difficulties)

• a top quality real goose down parka (my preferred brand is Triple Zéro) and multiple layers of clothing to manage body temperature. A balaclava is mandatory, and don’t forget to bring multiple pairs of gloves (including one pair that stays warm inside your jacket).

• Gore-Tex (or similar high quality equivalent) jacket and pants, and a pair of goggles!

• and of course all of the other mandatory gear: helmet, first aid kit, two-way radio or telephone, skis, etc

Don’t be afraid of looking ridiculous

Especially while equipped with approach skis and an enormous pack for the hike across the glacier. You’ll probably cross paths with dozens of freeriders equipped with tiny packs and giant fat skis. Remember that you’re not there for the same experience. While the freeriders are downing beers in a crowded valley bar, you and your climbing partner will be enjoying an unforgettable sunset far from the crowds.

Every struggle leads to a single victory, your own!

Know how to be humble and understanding

You’ll savor your experience for a long time, and you’ll have lasting memories. On the other hand, your spouse and your mother will never understand what you were doing up there in such difficult conditions, and your incredible enthusiasm and beautiful photos will do nothing to change their minds or trouble their existence.

Strengthened by these basic principles, a good dose of training, and proper preparation, and you’ll discover that pure, remote alpine adventures can be had not far from home. The grade of the route you’ve climbed and the altitude of the mountains will be of little significance in your mind compared to the richness of your experience.

So are you convinced? Welcome to the club!

Martin Elias

Martín Elias is a Spanish alpinist and mountain guide. Passionate about climbing, travelling and adventures, his resume enumerates over fifty new routes with top-ranking alpinists, he is a man of great humility who loves to laugh!

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