The Conville courses, as they are affectionately known, are an excellent way for young mountaineers to gain essential skills.

Set up by the family of Jonathan Conville after he died on the North face of the Matterhorn in the winter of 1979/80, aged 27, the Jonathan Conville Memorial Trust aims to encourage and assist individuals to train for and pursue outdoor adventure in the spirit which Jonathan followed during his life.

What does the Trust do?

The trust encourages safe and enjoyable practice in mountaineering, by operating subsidised training as follows:

• Alpine Preparation Courses
• Alpine Mountaineering Courses
• Scottish Winter Mountaineering Courses

These activities are aimed mainly at young people, and are staffed by qualified instructors, usually members of the British Association of Mountain Guides.  Their purpose is not simply to increase safety but also enhance enjoyment, widen horizons and help spread good practice.  The trust's subsidy reduces the cost to approximately one third of the normal rate.

Alpine Preparation Courses - in the UK

The JCMT now has an exciting alternative Alpine training course. As travelling to Chamonix may not suit everyone’s plans or budgets, they are now offering 24 places on Alpine Preparation Weekends.
Based in North Wales at Plas y Brenin, The National Mountain Centre, they are delivered by PYB IFMGA Guides. This is a great opportunity to cover alpine rope work skills and to consider all the aspects of alpine mountaineering. The PYB Guides will help you plan your next Alpine trip. The course is based in PYB’s Moelwyn Bunkhouse, on site, and is self catering. All the usual PYB facilities will be available including bar, evening lecture and the climbing wall. he deadline for applications is usually the end of February.
Plas y Brenin – JCMT Alpine Preparation Course .

Alpine Mountaineering Courses

Based in the Chamonix Valley in June, July and August, for climbers and mountaineers who have experience of British mountaineering and who want to climb in the Alps.  Ratio of 1 Guide: 3 participants, three days in duration.  They give a practical introduction to glacier travel, crevasse rescue, avalanche assessment and use of equipment.  The courses will be administered and run by Plas y Brenin so please contact them for application forms & full information.  The deadline for applications is usually the end of February.
Plas y Brenin – JCMT Alpine Mountaineering Course .

Scottish Winter Mountaineering Courses

Based in the Cairngorms in January, these bridge the gap between summer climbing/walking and winter mountaineering.  The ratio is 1 instructor to 6 participants, two days in duration.  The courses cover use of ice axe and crampons, navigation and avalanche assessment.  The courses will be administered and run by Plas y Brenin so please contact them for application forms & full information.  The deadline for applications is usually the end of October. 
Plas y Brenin – JCMT Scottish Winter Mountaineering Course .

The trust is a registered charity, and depends on donations to promote mountain safety. Any financial support is most welcome. Find out more about the JCMT.
 

WATCH BMC TV: Explore the Alps with the Conville Trust

Watch this and more on BMC TV.

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