Starting mountaineering: advice from Martial Carbonnaux

Mountaineering is the call of the high mountains, the thrill of jagged ridges, and the raw beauty of the peaks. But before you strap on a harness and put on crampons, it's best to be well prepared. To support those who want to start mountaineering , Lagoped invited one of its ambassadors, Martial Carbonnaux , to share his experience during an after-work event dedicated to the mountains. Here are his essential tips.

With the rise of outdoor activities and the desire to reconnect with nature, mountaineering is experiencing a resurgence of interest. Many enthusiasts are now looking to learn this demanding discipline. But mountaineering is far from a simple hike: it combines physical, technical, and mental commitment, and requires adherence to certain rules to progress safely.

Mountaineering requires endurance, resilience, and good physical condition. There's no need to have a background in elite athletics, but rigorous preparation is necessary to cope with a long effort in unwelcoming conditions (wind, snow, cold).

• The foundation? Good cardio . Running, swimming, cycling, or hiking are all excellent ways to get in good physical condition.

• A good level of climbing is recommended (grade above 5a/b), particularly to acquire arm strength and climbing skills.

• The technique is acquired over time: crampons, roping, using an ice axe... All this comes with practice.

Facing the mountains means facing the unknown. The cold, the fear of heights, the lack of oxygen... you have to learn to manage your emotions and stay clear-headed. This is why Martial insists on steady progress and field experience .

To cope with these challenges, it's helpful to break down your route to focus on achieving each small milestone - this helps you understand the whole race.

A mountain guide is a valuable ally for beginners. He or she will know:

• Adapt the itinerary to the group level

• Teach essential technical gestures

• Ensure the safety of the rope team

Homogeneity is essential:

• A good physical and technical level must be shared

• The objectives must be clear and common

• The atmosphere within the group plays a big role in the success of a climb.

The goal of the first outings is not performance, but learning. It is therefore necessary to aim for glacier or rocky routes that are not very technical, with an altitude ideally between 4000m and 4200m, an overall rating between Easy (F) and Little Difficulty (PD) and a stopover rating lower than IV.

A multi-day Mont Blanc or Mont Rose course is a good option for getting started while climbing a beautiful peak!

To find these courses, resources like CamptoCamp or the websites of guide companies are very useful.

Altitude is a physiological stressor. It's best to anticipate your body's reactions before aiming for a 4,000-meter summit.

• Climb gradually by making sustained efforts at altitude (3000m+)

• Spend a night at about 3000 m and come back down

• Listen for signs of fatigue, headaches, or nausea

• Stay well hydrated during and after exercise at altitude / in the refuge

Good acclimatization is a key factor for success (and safety).

Each race is rated according to several criteria (technical difficulty, commitment, altitude, etc.):

• Rating levels range from F (easy) to ED (extremely difficult)

• Climbing is also graded, generally in Roman numerals in the topos for the small grades I, II, III, IV, V

But above all, snow and ice conditions and the weather can change everything . It is essential to check the reports before departure, on Meteoblue , Météo Suisse or Chamonix Météo .

Mountaineering is practiced in summer, over a shorter period than before (preferably June/July depending on the route). Rockfalls and landslides are now more frequent in August due to global warming.

You therefore need to be flexible, know how to adapt your plans, or even give up if conditions become too unstable.

Preparing for a mountain outing cannot be improvised. You must cross-reference information and plan ahead as much as possible.

Among the tools to know:

• Topographic maps to identify routes suited to your level

• The CamptoCamp site, rich in feedback and recent conditions

• Hut booking apps like Hut Reservation

Consider putting yourself on the waiting list if a shelter is full: last-minute cancellations are common. And on the day of your stay, don't hesitate to call directly to check availability.

On the ground, locals often have a head start : a local guide knows the intricacies of booking and can sometimes find a spot that doesn't officially exist .

Finally, joining the French Alpine Club (CAF) is a real bargain: you'll benefit from discounts on nights in mountain huts.

A good mountaineer knows how to travel light. Martial advises making a list first, then eliminating anything superfluous : do I need a second pair of socks or a second T-shirt? Is the (small) book essential to pass the time in the refuge? Should I bring a toothbrush and toothpaste, underwear, etc.

According to Martial, anticipation is a major quality of the mountaineer :

• Anticipate your physical preparation

• Find out as much as possible about the conditions on the RS or from the shelters

• Consult weather reports and projections to schedule ascent slots

• Read the topos and identify the key passages (“crux”)

• Plan schedules with margin

• Anticipate group fatigue, withdrawal, escape routes

In some situations, giving up is the safest decision . The dangers are real and lucidity is vital.

A useful question: "If things go wrong, are we able to manage?"

This requires perspective, experience, and a good understanding of the situation.

Mountaineering is a quest for balance between willpower, technique, commitment, and pleasure. For Martial Carbonnaux, it all begins with a sincere desire to be in the mountains , where everything is experienced with intensity. If you feel called to the peaks, then follow his advice, take your time... and listen to the mountain.