Mountaineering – In Slingsby’s footsteps

Season: Summer / early autumn (July-September)
Length: 6,5 days
Guide/Participant Ratio: 1:3 with a maximum of 6 participants
Price: 8500 NOK per person (Includes accommodation)

This course follows in the footsteps of William C Slingsby, with the ultimate goal being an ascent of Storen by the first ascensionists route.

All aspects of alpine mountaineering will be covered during this course and it therefore forms a good solid foundation to further your alpine dreams.

This first ascensionists route is steeped in history, following beautiful valleys, away from the madding crowds, higher and higher till a foothold is gained on Slingsby glacier. This is followed, at times steeply, crossing crevasses until a col between Vesle Skagastølstinden and Storen is reached. This is the famous place where late one evening on the 21st July 1876, William C Slingsby lefts his friends and guides behind and ascended to the top of Storen alone, making the first ascent of the peak that was then considered impossible. Storen is considered “The jewel in the crown” of Norwegian mountains and is a much sort after prize.

We keep our groups small with the focus on good communication and learning environment. Ratio 3 to 1.

Course objectives:

Glacier travel & crevasse rescue
Use of a rope in ascent and descent
Scrambling/light climbing
Security on steep snow/ice
Assessment and management of alpine risk

Combine it with other courses

This a self-sufficient course, however, it can form part of an Alpine mentoring program.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available on our farm from 250 NOK per person per night. Find it out more here.

Additional accommodation costs depend on if we decide to camp or use a hut in the high mountains.

Flights, train and getting there

From the Airport, you can take the “flytoget” which is an express train to Oslo central station. From there it is a short walk to the bus station. You can take the Valdres Express bus From Oslo central to Fagernes Skysstasjon which is about 20min from my house. The bus is comfortable, has free wifi and takes about 3 hours. I like taking the bus to Oslo as I can look out the window and see all the waterfalls and dream about ice climbing 🙂

Nearly all participants on previous courses have travelled by the above method, and they have described it as straightforward and easy.

Equipment hire

If you need to rent/borrow equipment, that is no problem, just let us know in advance. You will receive a list of required items upon booking.

Skills level

Difficulty

Endurance

Previous mountaineering experience is required. You need to be mountain fit to get the most of out this course. We are very happy to discuss if this is the right course for you.

Course Itinerary

We meet on the first evening get to know each other and check that we have all the equipment we need.

The next days will be spent out in the mountains. We usually try and spread the tour days apart with more relaxing days in between.

Dates

See “availability”

Other dates available upon request.

Equipment

Upon registration we will send you a complete equipment list.

Boots: You will need your own mountaineering boots that can take crampons. If in doubt send us a picture of your boots so we can give the thumbs up. Boots_summer

In the rucksack: As a general guide the following is recommended In the rucksack

Mountaineering equipment (All this can be borrowed from us): Equipment to courses