Clifton College New Route in Julian Alps

Clifton College will embark on an exciting school trip to the Julian Alps with the goal of setting up and bolting a new climbing route, which they plan to name after their school. The students will be surrounded by the magnificent peaks of the Julian Alps, offering breathtaking views and crystal-clear waters, creating a picturesque and tranquil landscape for their climbing expedition. Accompanied by experienced IFMGA English-speaking mountain guides, the group will spend five days honing their climbing techniques and working on their project, while immersing themselves in the cultural and natural wonders of the region.

The Alpi Carniche, rugged rocky massifs, surrounded by high-altitude grasslands, rise above spectacular woods and give an almost wild charm to these mountains. Among the oldest in the entire Alpine arc, the mountains contain fossils from the entire scale of geological time. Inhabited for millennia by people who have never lost their pride, the Carnic Alps preserve a peculiar cultural and religious heritage. Proof of this is the Roman archaeological remains and typical rural villages, small parish churches spread over the mountains and traditions of Celtic origin.

The Julian Alps. The mighty peaks, which offer incredible views and crystal-clean water, and which sparkle in the sunshine, are a verdant green landscape whose tranquillity will inspire you and whose energy will uplift you. All this awaits in the sanctuary of the Julian Alps, where the peaks can reach as high as 2500 m and more. The king of this range is Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain and the symbol of the Slovenian nation.

The price includes: 

• all guiding fees & expenses
• 3 nights of HB hotel accommodation
• 3 nights of half-board accommodation in mountain huts
• climbing hardware for route bolting
• return airport transfers
• local transfers during the trip

The price does not include: 

• uplift costs
• lunches
• beverages
• equipment hire
• flights

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Your Financial Protection
ATOL
£2.50 per person of the cost of any air package is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority to provide ATOL Protection to you. This means the money paid for these arrangements is fully protected. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2911. For more information see our booking terms and conditions.
ABTOT
ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Holiday Information.
Ski Club Winter Arrangements limited (trading as Mountain Tracks)
Registered in England No. 2099115. VAT No. GB 461 5692 34

We accept the following payment methods

• Essential Equipment list - Clifton College

  In order to ensure a successful and enjoyable climbing trip, we kindly ask you to come prepared with the following gear:

  • Harness, helmet, and climbing shoes: These personal items are crucial for your safety and optimal performance during our climbing activities.

  • Carabiners: Please bring one screwgate carabiner HMS (e.g., Black Diamond Vaporlock Screwgate Carabiner) and one screwgate small carabiner (e.g., Black Diamond HotForge Screwgate Carabiner). These carabiners will be used for various climbing techniques and equipment attachments.

  • Sling: We recommend bringing a Kevlar or aramid sling measuring 130 cm. This sling will be essential for tasks such as the Marchand knot or rappelling.

  • ATC belay device and carabiners: Please bring an ATC belay device and two screwgate carabiners (one HMS and one small) for efficient and secure belaying.

  • Daisy chain or similar system: If you have a daysy chain or a similar system, along with a small screwgate carabiner, please bring it along. This will provide convenience during climbing activities.

  It is essential that you bring your personal gear for the trip. However, if you do not have any of the required gear (harness, helmet, climbing shoes), we can provide them for you at an additional cost. Please let us know in advance if you require gear/shoes/helmet rental.

  If you possess any additional gear, you are welcome to bring it with you. Optional gear may include a hammer, various types of protection (pitons, cams, nuts, etc.), and extra slings for belaying and protection purposes.

  Personal ropes and quick-draw carabiners are not necessary for this trip.

  For your comfort and convenience, we recommend wearing approach shoes instead of boots, as they offer better mobility during approach hikes.

  Additionally, please bring a small rucksack to carry essential items during our climbing excursions. Please be aware that liners should be brought for use in the huts, as showering options may be limited.

   

  We hope this information helps you prepare for an incredible climbing adventure. If you have any further questions or require assistance, feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to an unforgettable experience in the Julian Alps!

• Alpine Mountaineering - Clothing
  • Base Layer Top and Bottoms – a few base layer tops, usually long-sleeved is best, wool base layers form Ortovox are good as they offer good wicking properties and dry quickly. For your legs, a couple of pairs of long or ¾ length bottoms are best.

  • Mid-layer fleece tops – a couple of fleece type jacket or tops that can be worn between your base layer and outer layers. The “Layering” approach offers the best heat retention and flexibility in warm and cold weather.

  • Insulation Layer - a down or Primaloft jacket is a good item to have ready to wear in the event of cold weather, it can live in your rucksack as a spare layer and can come in very handy for sudden changes in the weather.

  • Lightweight softshell type trousers - you want to wear a lightweight softshell or similar material on your legs, these types of trouser offer good protection from snow/ice as well as abrasion on rock and are comfortable to move in.

  • Walking shorts or a pair of trousers with zip-off legs. Useful for walk-ins to huts on hot days.

  • Gore-Tex Jacket - Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable jackets. Best to have a lightweight jacket that can be worn in the event of wet or windy weather but is packable enough to fit in your rucksack. Your insulated ski jacket will be overkill and too hot and bulky.

  • Gore-Tex Pants - Gore-Tex or other waterproof breathable trousers. Lightweight is important plus side zips for putting on over your boots and crampons. Used in cold, wet and windy weather.

  • Sun hat and warm hat – bring a wide-brimmed sun hat or baseball cap plus a warm beanie style hat.

  • Light, thin gloves – a thin pair of fleece or softshell gloves for warm weather are a must.

  • Insulated gloves - You need to have a pair of waterproof warm gloves to wear on cold days.

  • Gaiters – these are useful to wear to keep snow out of your boots.

  • Socks - 3-4 pairs of medium weight socks usually mid-calf length is good.

• Alpine Mountaineering - Miscellaneous

  • Rucksack - A simple and lightweight pack with a capacity of between 35-45 liters is recommended. You need to have one loop for carrying an ice axe on your rucksack.

  • Lightweight sleeping bag liner – a silk or cotton sleeping bag liner is now compulsory in all mountain huts.

  • Water bottle or Thermos – a water bottle or hydration system is needed.

  • Head torch with spare batteries

  • Penknife

  • Personal first Aid Kit - Should contain:

  Plasters – of various sizes and possibly some adhesive wound dressings.

  Pain Killers – aspirin or Paracetamol/Nurofen

  Antiseptic cream or wipes

  Blister kit – compeed and elastic tape to hold it in place (essential)!

  (Note: Guides will have comprehensive first aid kits and are qualified in mountain first aid)

  • Whistle

  • Sun Glasses - minimum category 3.

  • Ski Goggles – these can be very useful if you encounter strong winds and poor weather.

  • Sunscreen and Lip Protection

  • Ear Plugs - For noisy huts!!

  • Camera

  • Hold-all bag - for gear not required on trek. Will be left at first hotel and collected on return.

  • Passport

  • Money - You will need some cash for food and drinks. There are some ATMs and most hotels, shops and restaurants will accept credit cards, but most huts still accept cash only. You should allow about 30-40 Swiss Francs or 25-35 Euros per day for lunch and drinks (amount approximate and depends on consumption).

  • Toiletries – Should contain:

  Toothbrush and paste - a mini one is ideal

  Soap

  Anti-bacterial hand cleaner

  Wet wipes – essential to try to maintain hygiene

  Tissues and toilet roll

  Small light quick dry towel e.g. a Lifeventure Soft fiber towel

  (Any other essentials you need but remember there are no shower facilities and generally no running water in the huts and you have to carry everything with you!)

  • Alpine club card - If you're a member.

  • Book, pack of cards and or Ipod/MP3 player – It’s nice to have something to read or listen to when you are in the huts or to challenge your fellow travelers to a game of card. These items are not essential but if you have space you might appreciate them.

• Marco Polo - Return Airport Transfers

  We include in the price of the trip 1 shared, group airport transfer from and to Marco Polo (Venice) airport.  This is at set times so we ask you to arrange your flights accordingly.  

  On the arrival day, the transfer will depart Marco Polo airport at 11:00 am, you have the flight booked already that arrives at 9:10 am from London Standsted FR792 so you have time to collect your luggage and make your way to the meeting point.  On the departure day the transfer will pick everyone up from the hotel at approximately 10:00 am, this means you will be dropped off at Marco Polo at approximately 12:30 pm. This should be suitable for a flight departing at 4:35 pm from Marco Polo Airport to London Stansted FR795.  

  If you have to arrive/depart outside of these times then you will need to make your own arrangements to get to and from San Vito di Cadore, just outside Cortina d'Ampezzo.

  Note that because it is a private trip transfer times can be discussed and changed. 

• Alpine Mountaineering - Guides

  All our mountaineering trips are run by our team of IFMGA Mountain Guides. This trip will be led by Guido Candolini, Gianni Dorigo and Andrea Fusari, Italian English speaking IFMGA guides local to the area.