It’s safe to say the 7th annual Arc’teryx Alpine Academy left a lasting impression. This year’s event brought together hundreds of passionate mountain people from all over the world into the dramatic and inspiring Chamonix Valley. The goal: to connect with one another while developing their mountain skills under the guidance of Chamex mountain guides and Arc’teryx Athletes. From those stepping into crampons for the first time, to others getting ready to summit their next peak, the Alpine Academy continues to provide a safe and exciting environment to help people explore wild places.
Between the snow covered peaks of the Aguille du Midi, the ice of the Mer de Glace, the stage at Place Balmat and the Cosmiques Refuge at sunset, it is next to impossible to put your camera away in Chamonix. Luckily, our team of hard-working, mountain-crushing photographers were on the scene at every moment to capture all of the action during the Academy. Take a look through some of our favourite scenes and moments from the 2018 Arc’teryx Alpine Academy below, and check out the entire collection on Facebook.
Moody weather welcomed us to Chamonix on day 1 with fresh snow and thick cloud; a sure fire recipe for great photos! Photo: Franz Walter of the Aiguille du Midi.
It’s no secret that the Mer de Glace is shrinking, so this year we added a Permafrost and Glaciology clinic to the Academy roster. With the help of Chamonix locals Ludvic Ravnael, CNRS researcher specialist of Permafrost and rock formation, and Luc Moreau, Glaciologist, participants were treated to an in-depth look at the effects of climate change on the Mont Blanc Massif.
The clouds parted quickly and the sun greeted us in full force on Saturday morning, allowing our mountaineering clinics to take full advantage of all that the Aiguille du Midi has to offer. Photo: Anette Andersson.
It’s important to be the kind of climbing partner your friends want to be in the mountains with. Hopefully the participants of our High Altitude Medicine clinic won’t need to use all of the skills they learned, but better safe than sorry! Photo: Quentin Iglesis
The women’s glacier tour dream team on the Mont Blanc Massif, led by Arc’teryx athlete Silvia Moser. Photo: Piotr Drozdz.
Nina Caprez and Nico Favresse love life on a portaledge so much they set one up for their LyoFood Master Class presentation. This year we hosted four Master Class presentations in the Alpine Village ranging from Smartphone Photography (presented by Peak Design), to A TED Talk on finding the determination to reach your lofty goals. Photo: Julien Kenchenten.
…and then Nina got back on the wall the next day to host the LyoFood overnight Portaledge clinic. Not a bad view to wake up to. Photo: Piotr Drozdz.
The only classroom we want to be in. Photo: Piotr Drozdz of the women’s glacier tour clinic on the Mont Blanc Massif.
Movie night on Saturday drew a huge crowd, and a few emotions, to check out four films created by Arc’teryx Athletes. Photo: Hugo Vincent of Adam Campbell showing his film, In Constant Motion.
There is also fun to be had in the Chamonix Valley. Photo: Quentin Iglesis of the action during the Lead Your Climb clinic.
These are the views you get to wake up to when you take an overnight alpine photography clinic at the Alpine Academy. Photo: Franz Walter
Thank you to all of the participants, athletes, mountain guides, Chamex, volunteers, partners and the entire town of Chamonix for making this year’s Arc’teryx Alpine Academy such a huge success. See you next year!
Thank you to our team of photographers: Hugo Vincent, Piotr Drozdz, Anette Andersson, Julia Roger-Veyer, Franz Walter, & Quentin Iglesis.