The courses are aimed at acquiring or improving mountaineering skills and safe travel in the mountains. Сan last from 2 to 6 (or more) days and are held only upon request - both individually (for one participant) and for ready-made groups. Course programs are custom and are specially developed for each tour by our senior instructor Alexey Raspopov - summiter of 8 eight-thousanders and well-known Kazakhstan climber.Depending on your current level, climbing background, expectations and season, the course program may include classes to acquire basic skills (belaying and rappealling, rope and other gear usage, knots, basic techniques of walking on snow and rock climbing, high alttude and winter camping skills etc.). Or advanced trainings like crevasse rescue, walking/climbing/safety on ice, leading, multi-pitch climbing. The ascent on the summit can also be included. Courses are held in Touyuk-Su gorge, Northern Tien Shan mountains. We come up to the height of 2600m above sea level on the first day and follow the agreed course itinerary going to different spots/terrains around each day for trainings and using Trekking Club private alpine cabin as a main accommodation base.
Where & how
The courses are based on accommodation at a Trekking Club alpine cabin in Touyuk-Su gorge at a height of 2600 meters above sea level. All the nights (except those planned on a glacier, if there are in the program) will be spent at a cabin. Here we will take breakfasts and dinners, from here will go to different spots/terrains for trainings.
Group size: min 1 - max 4
What to expect
The course may be from 2 to 6 (or more) days. Duration depends on the time you have and our availability. Exact program and set of themes depend on the course length, season, your current level and expectations.
The classes are held as follows: the instructor explains the specifics of the stated topic, then demonstrates the techniques corresponding to the topic. After that, you practice these techniques, repeating them several times under the instructor's guidance.
We provide all necessary special climbing gear, accommodation and food for the course. We take care of smooth logistics and your safety.
You will need to be dressed appropriately (considering the season and course plan), have appropriate clothes and boots, some personal gear like backpack, headlamp etc. If you have your own climbing gear, which you prefer - you can take for the course and use.
The course is guided by experienced professional mountaineering instructor(s) from the Trekking Club team.
The course is organized on request and only for you. There are no groups, which you could join and no schedule.
Course is based on accommodation at our cabin in Touyuk-Su gorge. At the moment there is no way to drive up to the cabin (although there is a road and before 2023 we used a special permission for company's cars). Now we can only reach it like this: come to Medeo, take a cable car or an eco-taxi to Shymbulak ski resort, hike up for 30-40 minutes. Same is for the way back.
Be aware that you have to continue to practice and improve knowledge and skills acquired during the course in order to accumulate and maintain your mountaineering / climbing experience.
Course programs are custom and are specially developed for each tour. Depending on your current level, climbing background, expectations and season, the program may include:
Courses on rocks, themes:
Review of special climbing equipment
Special knots, typesб purposes and use
Rope handling and use, coiling and carrying
Fix ropes climbing and self-belaying
Rappelling and self-belaying
Belay methods on rocks
Trad rock climbing, main rules
Anchoring on rocks
Courses on ice / glacier, themes:
Walking on ice with ice-axe and crampons
Ice-axe usage for belaying and self-belaying on ice
Anchoring on ice
Glacier walking roped
Course on snow, themes:
Walking on snow, main rules
Ice-axe usage for belaying and self-belaying on snow
Self-arrest with ice-axe
Anchoring on snow
Mountain rescue, themes:
Transportation with using of improvised means on easy terrain
Glacier crevasse rescue
Winter camping:
choosing a safe place, preparing a site for a tent, setting and anchoring of a tent on snow, boiling water and cooking, accommodation inside a tent
Theoretical lessons, themes:
Dangers in mountains
Avalanche danger
Seasonality and weather in the mountains
Impact of high altitude on health and acclimatization rules
Planning of trip / climb /expedition to the mountains, timing
Ascent on the top (technical route) for practical application of acquired skills
Service and prices
Transfers
transfer Almaty - Medeo - Shymbulak - Almaty
Accommodation
Trekking Club alpine cabin in Touyuk-Su
tent camping on glacier if it is in the program
Rent of equipment
for cabin accommodation: sleeping bags, blankets, pillows, matresses
for tent camping on the glacier (if applicable): living tents, portable kitchen gear, gas, utensils
special gear for courses and trainings: ropes, carabiners, loops, chocks, ice-screws etc.
Breakfasts /dinners at a cabin or camp, lunches in a form of a picnic on the training spot
Guiding
Professional mountaineering instructor(s), 1-2 for a group
Group's first aid kit
Price:
$135 per person per 1 day of course - if there are 4 people in group
$155 per person per 1 day of course - if there are 3 people in group
$165 per person per 1 day of course - if there are 2 people in group
$245 per 1 day of course - 1 person (individual service)
Price does
not include
international flights to/out Almaty
any visa/migration issues, fees and support, if applicable
accommodation (hotel), meals and any entertainment in Almaty before/after a tour
airport/train/bus station meetings/transfers
personal climber's and general traveller's insurance
personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
rent of personal clothes, boots and gear (backpack, headlamp, thermos etc.)
porters: - for personal belongings and backpacks - for camping, climbing gear and food/gas when going up the glacier
menu does not include soft and alcohol drinks, snacks, beverages
rent of sleeping bags and mats for glacier camping
Important notes
We are responsible for your safety on this particular course and only if you strictly follow all the instructions of the guide/instructor. The guide will not be responsible for your safety and life if you change the plan arbitrarily, do not follow the schedule or do not fulfill the stated safety requirements.
We are responsible for your safety in the activities described and agreed in the course program. Horseback riding, skiing, paragliding, ATV or snowmobile rides or other similar services provided by local residents on the spot - at your discretion and under your responsibility.
Mountaineering is a physically and technically demanding sport. It is always associated with a certain degree of risk. We will do everything to ensure your safety during a course. But you must clearly understand that when you are going to the mountains, you are in any case risking your health and life. And you take full responsibility for your decision.
We do not provide porters. You will need to be able to carry all your stuff to the cabin yourself. And carry your backpack with warm clothes and climbimg gear every day to/from training spots.
Courses are held in summer and winter. Summer: mid May to early October. Winter: mid December - end of February. In other periods there is a high avalnche danger in Northern Tien Shan.
If you deicide to book a course, please contact us in advance and describe as detailed as possible your climbing background, current physical state and expectations. Basing on this info we will be able to design the course itinerary for you.
We do not provide bottled water for a course. Please take a bottle/flask or small thermos, which you will refill and carry with you.
Let us know in advance if you have any specific food requirement (like vegetarian menu or food allergies)
We provide all necessary climbing equipment for the courses. But if you have your own climbing gear, which you prefer - take for the course and use instead of ours.
We recommend having for the course IN GENERAL: - light alpine boots, hiking shoes or boots, trekking socks, long trekking pants, t-shirts with long sleeves, warm jacket (middle layer like thick fleece), down jacket, wind/waterproof costume, thermo-underwear top and bottom, hat, gloves, peaked cap, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, backpack of 40l-60l, trekking poles, water bottle or thermos, headlamp, personal hygienic set, sleeping bag and mat if there is a night on the glacier in the itinerary. Exact list of clothes and gear for your course will depend on the season and training plan.
Cellular connection in the cabin and around training spots is unstable (or sometimes there is no coverage at all).
Temperatures in summer in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only: - mountains, 2700m - 3600m ASL: +10..+20C degrees daytime, 0..+10C in the night. Can be cooler when raining/snowing. Temperatures in winter in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only: - mountains, 2700m - 3600m ASL: -10..-25C degrees daytime. In the night you stay at a cabin, where there is a heater.
Facilities at an alpine cabin: alpine cabin at an altitude of 2600 meters above sea level is not a guest house or a hotel. This is a mountain shelter (although cozy, clean and comfortable) owned by our company and used for our customers only. It has everything you need for an overnight stay in the mountains. There is a heater inside, a kitchen, 2 rooms with beds, mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets (one room has 2 beds, the second room has 6 beds). There is also a dining area with a table, chairs, and all the necessary utensils. In the evening, electricity is turned so you can recharge your gadgets. Single accommodation can only be arranged if you purchase an individual tour and we have no other reservations/guests on your dates. There is no shower. The toilet is outside (this is an outdoor toilet without flushing). More info about the cabin is here.
Guiding
Price: 
