Alpine Sports & Practical Seminars Summer Course/2026
The course is aimed at all participants of the ÖÄK Diploma in Alpine and High Altitude Medicine, but is open to all physicians interested in alpinism.
The course is particularly aimed at all participants of the ÖÄK Diploma in Alpine and High Altitude Medicine, but is open to all physicians interested in alpinism.
Thu, June 4 – Sun, June 7, 2026
Location: Alpinpark Steinmühle, Gaal, Styria
Registration is handled by the ÖGAHM Secretariat, Ms. Katrin Pühringer.
Alpine Sports & Practical Seminars Summer Course
Information & Program
Course ID to follow!
Alpinpark Steinmühle
Puchschachen 5
8731 Gaal
Organizer and Course Director
Dr. Frans van der Kallen on behalf of the Austrian Society for Alpine and High Altitude Medicine (ÖGAHM)
Course Location
Alpinpark Steinmühle, Gaal/Styria
Target Audience
The course is particularly aimed at all participants of the ÖÄK Diploma in Alpine and High Altitude Medicine, but is open to all physicians interested in alpinism!
Prerequisites for Participation
Enjoyment of mountain sports and fitness for several hours of daily mountaineering activity.
Three main activities are offered:
- Via ferrata climbing
- Easy alpine multi-pitch routes (difficulty UIAA III-IV)
- Plaisir – sport climbing routes (UIAA V-VI)
DFP Accreditation
General Medicine: 34 points
ÖÄK Diploma Sports Medicine: 37 teaching units
ÖÄK Diploma Alpine and High Altitude Medicine: 32 teaching units
Medical Sports: 22 teaching units
Theory: 5 teaching units
Practical Seminar: 10 teaching units
Costs
€ 890,-
The course fee includes:
- Individual supervision by state-certified mountain guides in small groups (depending on interest and performance level: max. 6 people in group A, max. 4 people in groups B and C); practical exercises in the Alpinpark and guiding (via ferrata or alpine climbing route)
- Medical lectures
- Usage fee Alpinpark Steinmühle
- Coffee and snacks at Alpinpark Steinmühle
Costs for accommodation and meals are not included!
Cancellation Policy
Up to 4 weeks before the start of the course, i.e., until May 6, 2026 inclusive, the entire course fee will be refunded. For cancellations after May 6, 2026, the entire amount will be retained. We recommend taking out cancellation insurance!
Accommodation
There are various accommodation options of different categories in the surrounding area (Seckau – Gaal – Knittelfeld). We kindly ask you to make your reservation independently; we will be happy to assist you if needed!
Suggestions:
- Gasthof Steinmühle (Alpinpark distance 250m) www.steinmuehle.at
- Hofwirt Seckau (Alpinpark distance 3km) www.tauroa.at
- Haus Simbuerger (Alpinpark distance 3km) Contact: haus@simbuerger.at
- Lorettohof Gaal (Alpinpark distance 6km) www.lorettohof.com
- Gasthof Wachter Gaal (Alpinpark distance 14km) www.gasthofwachter.at
- Nature lovers can camp for free at Alpinpark upon request!
Content
The following topics will be taught and practically implemented in these alpine sports courses:
- Knot theory, explanation and learning of necessary knots
- Equipment knowledge, explanation of individual equipment items and their practical handling
- Walking in pathless terrain, footwork training, basics of climbing technique
- Tour planning
- Anchor building, connecting two or more belay points
- Abseiling (passive and active)
- Basic rescue techniques
- Independent ascent on a fixed rope
- Via ferrata technique, handling of via ferrata sets and difficulty rating
The objective is the self-responsible ascent of alpine via ferratas or climbing routes (depending on interest and performance group). On the 3rd and 4th course days, tours in the Graz Bergland, the Eisenerz Alps, or the Hochschwab area are planned, weather permitting.
Course Program
Thursday, June 4, 2026
- 12:00 PM (optional) Joint lunch at Gasthof Steinmühle
- 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM Alpine sports with practical training at Alpinpark Steinmühle
Equipment check and equipment knowledge; group division, further training in small groups (depending on participants’ interests and prior knowledge): belaying on via ferrata, via ferrata technique; knot theory, rope technique, basics of climbing technique, anchor building - 6:00 PM Joint dinner at Steinmühle
Friday, June 5, 2026
- 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Alpine sports with practical training at Alpinpark Steinmühle
Activities from the previous day in small groups: refining via ferrata and climbing technique; rope technique and anchor building in multi-pitch routes; active and passive abseiling; rescue techniques; ascent on fixed ropes - 5:00 PM – 6:45 PM Lecture “Mental Health and Mountain Sports” (F. van der Kallen)
- 7:00 PM Dinner
Saturday, June 6 2026
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tour day with practical training in the Graz Bergland, the Eisenerz Alps, or the Hochschwab
- 5:00 PM–6:45 PM Lecture “Climate Change in the Mountains and Health” (A. Podesser / F. van der Kallen)
- 7:00 PM Dinner
Sunday, June 7, 2026
- 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Tour day with practical training in the Graz Bergland, the Eisenerz Alps, or the Hochschwab
- 4:00 PM End of course and individual departure
Speakers
Dr. Frans van der Kallen, Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Seckau
Dr. Alexander Podesser, Head of the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics Graz
Program changes are reserved by the organizer!
The basic theoretical courses in Alpine and High Altitude Medicine take place at UMIT Tirol.
Alpine Sports & Practical Seminars Summer Course
Course Director
Dr. Frans van der Kallen
Senior Physician at LKH Graz II (Sports Psychiatry)
Private Practitioner
Seckauer Straße 10
A-8732 Seckau
Profile
- Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine
- General Practitioner
- Mountain and Ski Guide
Alpine Medical Focus Areas
- Board Member of the Austrian Society for Sports Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
- Member of the Department for Sports Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the DGPPN
- Lecturer on “Psychiatric Illnesses” in the ÖÄK Diploma Course for Alpine and High Altitude Medicine
- Lecturer on Sports Psychiatric topics within the DIMM training courses