Over 300 participants from over 19 different countries took part in various clinics throughout the three-day period, June 14-16. After a good start in 2012 with roughly 70 students, the second Alpine Arc’Ademy has become an internationally renowned event that takes place at the Aiguille du Midi in Chamonix.


 

Presented as a weekend of mountaineering education, experience and inspiration, alpine beginners and skilled mountaineers from Poland, Serbia and Finland, along with the majority of participants from Switzerland, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Scandinavia, took part in a variety of workshops designed to introduce and hone mountain skills. Amongst the courses offered were alpine climbing, high altitude
mountaineering, mountain rescue, navigation in the mountains, an overnight bivouac and the chance to hone Photographic skills with Outdoor Photographer and Alpinist Alexandre Buisse. One of the other highlights of the event was the Arc’teryx/Gore-Tex sewing booth at the Valley Station, where participants could have their jackets and pants repaired or learn to sew. Over 130 handmade made stuff sacks became proud souvenirs!

 

 

The Overnight Bivouac Clinic’s held at the Col du Midi allowed participants to connect with Arc’teryx athletes, Ines Papert, Luka Lindic Jacob Slot and Conny Zamernik and mountain guide Gian Luck. The two groups of 12 committed mountaineers spent their nights on the glacier in veritable mountain comfort thanks to Hilleberg tents, Optimus stoves and Trek’n Eat food.

 

 

“I came to the event on my own as a novice alpinist and can’t wait to come back next year,” said Rob Parking, a participant from the United Kingdom. “It was amazing from start to finish, not just the courses; I did the Bivouac & the Glacier Tour, but the side events, the staff and the guides too, they made you feel very confident in the mountains. I will be back next year and bringing friends!”

 

 

Friday night’s seminar saw 130 people listen to a variety of topics on High altitude medicine, training & navigation in the Mountains, and over 300 people took in Saturday’s Alpine Movie Night and Mountain
Dinner. A free social event that to inspire and showcase Alpine films presented by some of the world’s top Mountain Athletes including Nina Caprez and Will Gadd. The aim of the weekend was to raise awareness about personal responsibility and self-sufficiency in the mountains. The event was sponsored by Arc’teryx,Gore-Tex, Petzl, Scarpa, Suunto and the Compagnie du Mont-Blanc, supported with necessary equipment. Thanks to the continued success of this event, the Alpine Arc’ademy will be back in Chamonix in 2014.