Conquer the peak! Winter mountaineering course

Give yourself or a loved someone the gift of a real mountain adventure that will prepare you for the Malyovitsa traverse or for more distant peaks such as Mont Blanc, Elbrus, Breithorn, Liskamm, or Kazbek.

Winter mountaineering includes technical sections that can be dangerous and very demanding. During the course, you will acquire physical and technical skills as well as knowledge for surviving in the winter mountains. You will focus on movement techniques, rope work and gear handling, and understanding the winter mountain environment.

The winter mountaineering course covers all essential skills for winter terrain: layering systems, proper use of crampons and an ice axe on all types of ground, and rope travel. You will learn how to handle terrain that may be technically easy but dangerous and with serious consequences. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes in winter mountains.

Topics:
– Short lecture on layering systems and equipment
– Packing your backpack
– Walking with crampons on varied terrain and slopes of different steepness
– Self-arrest with and without an ice axe
– Practicing basic alpine knots
– Building protection in snow and firn
– Rappelling with and without a harness
– Movement and belaying on steep snow and firn
– Building horizontal and vertical fixed ropes
– Short lecture on hypothermia and frostbite
– Proper rope techniques on snowy and mixed ridges, including corniced ridges
– Short lecture on snow shelters
– Basics of avalanche safety

PROGRAM:
Saturday
Easy hike to Malyovitsa Hut, where you will leave unnecessary luggage. This day focuses on fundamentals: walking with crampons and an ice axe on varied terrain and practicing self-arrest. You will also learn how to build protection points in snow and using terrain features. You will test your skills with rappelling using a harness and an improvised tie-in. You will establish the basics of rope travel on snow slopes and ridges. The evening ends with a lecture: “Winter Mountaineering – characteristics, dangers, basic rules, clothing, equipment.”

Sunday
It may be a rest day for others, but you will be building on your skills! The day is dedicated to fixed ropes and protection techniques on snowy and mixed ridges, including corniced ridges.

The voucher is for one person and includes:

– organizational fee
– training from a licensed alpine guide
– accommodation in a shared room at Malyovitsa Hut
– individual avalanche kit – transceiver, shovel, probe (for each participant)
– alpine equipment
– mountain insurance with coverage up to BGN 2000
– Ice axe, crampons suitable for your boots, helmet, harness, 2 locking carabiners, 2 non-locking carabiners, 120 cm sling

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT:

Backpack about 35 liters, winter or four-season boots, winter jacket and pants with membrane (ski clothing acceptable), down jacket, fleece, thermal top and bottoms, 3 pairs of gloves – thin, fleece, mittens, winter hat, gaiters, sunscreen, sunglasses, thermos, trekking poles, spare clothes for changing.

Important: The experience is conducted in a group of up to 6 participants