Saas Summer Meet 2023
1-8 July 2023
Join Women's Alpine Adventure Club in the Saas Valley this Summer
The Saastal is an alpine paradise for developing alpine climbers, with a great spread of accessible peaks and routes, as well as some classic AD ridges and traverses. There are also beautiful trails for hiking and running and a fantastic via ferrata with an iconic bridge! We will be based from the Kapellenweg Campsite which is well connected to chairlifts and trail heads via the free valley bus service. As part of the campsite fee you will get a Saastal Card which gives free access to the chairlifts and bus in the valley (apart from the MetroAlpin lift).
We are partnering with Tracks and Trails as our Booking Agent to ensure everyone is protected financially.
We are providing 2 course options with English speaking IFMGA Guides to aim to introduce those that are either brand new or still beginners to alpinism, or give a chance to refresh and gain confidence in skills.
You can also come along unguided for the week and meet partners and go off climbing independently. I ask that if you are doing this you sign up for a 1 day skills check on the Sunday with one of our Guides. In this way we make sure that everyone is happy before heading off into the mountains and you get to pick the brains of our fab Guides about weather, routes and conditions.
You will need to book your own accommodation separately. We will be based in the Kapellenweg Campsite in Saas Grund. You will also need to arrange your travel - there will be a facebook event page where you can share plans. Saas Grund is easily reached by public transport and there are excellent transport links within the valley.
Suggested Kit List here
Please make sure you read everything carefully.
registration
Everyone needs to fill in a registration form and pay £20 - this will give you a meet T-Shirt and cover admin costs.
Please transfer £20 to our WAAC Starling Bank Account when you complete the registration form
Women’s Alpine Adventure Club CIC
17686101
60-83-71
IBAN: GB66SRLG60837117686101
SWIFT: SRLGGB2L
If you want to book on a Guided Course you then need to go to the Tracks and Trails website and book there after checking the right box on the registration form.
If you want to do the 1 day skills check before climbing independently for the rest of the week you need to check that box on the registration form and I will put you in touch with your Guide to book.
1 day Skills Check for INDEPENDENT Alpinists
£100, Sunday 2nd July, 1:6 ratio
This one day valley based skills check is for those coming along unguided for the rest of the week. I feel it’s important that everyone has a chance to go through essential ropework and have a safe space to sense check and ask questions before partnering up and heading out. You will get to pick the brains of a knowledgeable Guide who knows the area well and be able to check on routes, conditions and what to do in the week. The Guide will facilitate discussion and skills checks, and you can chat with others and share objectives and plans.
To book this I will put you in contact with the Guide to book directly with them after you have filled in a registration form.
5 Day Intro to Alpinism Course - THIS IS NOW SOLD OUT
£810
Book Here after you’ve filled in a registration form
Saturday - Arrivals day into Saas Grund
Sunday - Orientation Day. Local peer led walk or via ferrata depending on preference.
Monday - Wednesday
1:6 ratio.
Start looking at the techniques and equipment used for summer alpinism. This will include wearing and moving in crampons, using an ice axe, glacier travel, crevasse avoidance and rescue, using Guidebooks and maps, looking at weather and conditions, moving on rock, snow and ice.
Thursday and Friday
1:3 ratio.
Ascend to a high mountain hut and practice skills in the local area before staying overnight ready for an alpine start and summit an appropriate peak as conditions allow. Return to the valley for celebratory icecream!
Saturday - Departures day
2 Day Alpine Improver Course - THIS IS NOW SOLD OUT
£570
Book here after you’ve filled in a registration form
There will be 2 groups for this course due to staffing needs. Both groups will go out in groups of 4 on Monday before Group A having a 1:2 day on Tuesday and Group B having a 1:2 day on Wednesday (Tuesday you can do your own thing). On Monday you can decide who prefers to do what.
Saturday - Arrivals Day
Sunday - Orientation Day. Local peer led walk or via ferrata depending on preference
Group A
Monday - 1:4. Refreshing and recapping alpine skills such as glacier travel, feeling comfortable moving in crampons, alpine rope work, using Guidebook and map
Tuesday - 1:2. Taking these skills onto a route under the supervision of your Guide
Wednesday - Friday - Independent adventures
Saturday - Departures day
Group B
Monday - 1:4. Refreshing and recapping alpine skills such as glacier travel, feeling comfortable moving in crampons, alpine rope work, using Guidebook and map
Tuesday - Independent adventures
Wednesday - 1:2. Taking these skills onto a route under the supervision of your Guide
Thursday + Friday - Independent adventures
Saturday - Departures Day
What's Included
The services of an IFMGA International Mountain Guide
Guide travel and meal expenses
Guides hut fees
Guides accommodation
Passenger protection insurance (i.e: Security of Pre-Payments)
Organisational Fee
What's Not Included
Travel and Accommodation - you will need to book your own. We will be based in the Saas Grund Kapellenweg campsite (http://www.kapellenweg.ch/)
Personal equipment - can be hired from local shops
Cable cars (cable cars are included in the local accommodation fees apart from the metro alpin)
Personal Insurance - travel and alpine
Food
Drinks
Maps/Guidebooks