ISM Student Alpine Week in the summer of 2008 in Leysin, Switzerland
The Student Alpine Week course run by the International School of Mountaineering was attended by Simon Williams, Alex Pericleous, and Dave Farrow. They were also some duffers on the course. It started with two days of rock climbing, via Ferrata and general skills on mountains.
The third day was spent walking up to the Cabine D'Orny, where we learnt the basic of glacier travel, the use of ice axe and crampons, and roping up. The next morning we made an alpine start to cross the Trient glacier before a scramble, alpine style up the Agille Du Tour. The last day was spent on a rocky peak near the hut before walking out.
Many skills were learnt, and others improved, that will allow us to maximise our enjoyment and safety in the British hills. The quality of instruction was excellent, with the guides teaching rather than guiding and always willing to answer questions with well-reasoned answers. We would recommend anyone thinking of alpine peaks, winter routes in the UK or simply some fun and adventure to consider the ISM courses or similar ones run elsewhere.