Mountain Program Formats
MCS AlexClimbIt's not the goal that determines the value of the path. It's who you become on the way to that goal.
All the guided programs of my Mountain Club IClimb (i.e. MCS AlexClimb Mountaineering School), both mountaineering and trekking, are divided into two main categories depending on their service organization: supported and unsupported.
What are the main differences? (The following explanation does not apply to training rock climbing or ice climbing programs.)
The supported format for trekking and climbing is the safest and most comfortable option.
Ascents and hikes in this category are held typically in areas with all the necessary infrastructure for a comfortable outdoor experience.
Overnight stays are arranged in huts or stationary tents, and expeditionary loads are transported along the route using pack animals or porters.
Meals on supported mountain programs are prepared by a professional chef who accompanies the group throughout the entire route.
The team members in supported programs are not required to participate in expedition tasks such as cooking, organizing overnight stays, or carrying loads (except for a small backpack with water, camera and snacks).
Food plan and expedition menus can be agreed upon with the organizer before starting the route.
Supported mountain programs are only possible in areas with the appropriate infrastructure and accompanying services to support all program elements.
We conduct most of the programs of that kind in South America – in Peru, Bolivia – and in Africa – Morocco, Kenya, and Tanzania.
Supported mountain programs in regions traditionally underserved by such services (the European Alps, the Caucasus, Altai, and Kamchatka) are in most cases either impossible or extremely difficult and expensive for organizing the programs of the supported format.
This is because all the personnel necessary to realize the program must be brought in from other, sometimes quite remote, areas. For this reason, the geography of supported mountain programs is tied to specific regions.
Advantages of supported mountain trekking and climbing:
- Accessibility for participants, regardless of their fitness level and experience in climbing and trekking
- No complicating factors, opportunity to focus on your own emotions and the beauty of the mountain landscape
- No camping duties, more free time
Disadvantages of supported mountain programs:
- Higher cost
- Attaching to popular areas with high tourist traffic
- Limited choice of standard routes
Examples of supported mountain programs from the IClimb collection:
Cordillera Huayhuash Trekking, etc.
Unsupported mountain programs offer a more authentic, challenging format for the team members, where all the expedition duties are divided equally between the participants.
This is a more mobile and affordable format for mountain travel, in its classic form, so to speak.
Many popular mountain areas, historically associated with the development of mountain recreation, lack the infrastructure to host supported programs.
For example, in Switzerland, France, or Northern Italy, on the mountain routes almost no one uses porters or expedition cooks.
Traditionally, all ascents and treks in highly developed Alpine regions are conducted in a classic unsupported format, maintaining authenticity and "purity of style."
Due to the lack of staff and the associated logistical difficulties, unsupported programs are much more flexible.
They can be of greater technical or physical difficulty, involving overcoming long distances and challenging technical mountaineering obstacles.
Naturally, unsupported mountain programs are more demanding in terms of the participants' special experience and adequate physical fitness corresponding to the level of the route.
Together with my friends from many countries we organize unsupported mountain programs in the most remote corners of the earth.
This unpretentious format does not require any additional conditions for ascents or trekking. Of course, this is subject to the physical safety of the participants and the availability of professional rescue services in the region.
Advantages of unsupported mountain climbing and trekking programs:
- Lower organization costs compared to the supported format
- No geographic restrictions or ties to crowded tourist regions
- Wide range of route difficulty categories
Examples of unsupported mountain programs from our collection:
Climbing volcano Kluchevskaya Sopka, etc.
Which format of mountain activities is better - to this question it is difficult, if not impossible to answer, as it depends entirely on the preferences of the program participants.
Both the supported and unsupported mountain programs have their obvious advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered when choosing your travel itinerary, budget, timeframe, and geography.
Text and photographs by Alex Trubachev
International mountain guide, rock and ice climbing coach
MCS EDIT 2025