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Chamonix Intro Week | |||||||
Dates: 23-27 June, 4-8 Aug, 8-12 Sept Price: £760 Ratio: 1:3 | |||||||
proceed to booking | |||||||
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During this 5 day programme we will start with alpine rock climbs and scrambles while we acclimatise, learning appropriate ropework and belaying skills on the way. The second part of the week we spend in the high glaciated mountains of the Mont Blanc massif, taking in 2 quality peaks while we learn appropriate crampon, rope and crevasse rescue techniques. The course is flexible, so if rock is your thing we can focus more on that or vice versa - let us knowon your booking form. A good level of fitness and previous hillwalking and scrambling experience is all you need for this course. Previous rock climbing experience is desirable, but not necessary. A perfect week for alpine first timers or old-hands looking for a great weeks' climbing while brushing up their skills. Included in the price: guides fees and expenses, upto 3 nights half board accomodation in mountain huts, travel during the week. Not included in the price: Travel to and from Chamonix at the start/end of trip, accomodation in Chamonix, equipment rental, insurance, lunches and drinks, any skilift tickets. Meet: We meet Sunday evening (day 0) at 6pm in Chamonix to deal with any equipment rental and run through the plan for the week. We return to Chamonix Friday afternoon and recommend you book your return flight on Saturday morning. | Kit List Ice axe - for general mountaineering (at least 60cm long) Crampons - for general mountaineering with anti-ballingplates Helmet Poles - optional Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! Try and make sure they broken in before the week. They should be high-end insulated leather and must be compatible with your crampons. Rockboots Rucksack - 40-50l Waterbottle 1L - not platypus type - they freeze and leak. Harness, 3 screw gate karabiners, belay device, 1 8-foot sling, 2 prussik loops 2 pairs sunglasses (cat 4), goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/block 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops Lightweight goretex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves Insulating layers. I use a thin '100' weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. Head torch and gaiters Book/iPod for spare time in huts Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix. Typical Itinerary Day1 - multipitch rock climbing and abseiling in Chamonix valley Day2 - traverse of the Clocher-Clochetons in the Aig Rouges Day3 - traverse the glacial Vallee blanche from the Aig du Midi to Pt Helbronner. Overnight in the Torino hut. Day4 - climb the Tour Ronde and overnight in the Cosmiques hut. Day5 - climb Mt Blanc du Tacul and return to Chamonix | |||||
What to expect from mountain huts They are basic but comfortable. They can cater for vegetarians. Food is usually on a set menu basis (3 course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast). Often there is no running water and so you have to buy water to drink and wash with (no showers). You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping arrangements are normally dormitory style bunkbeds (eg 6 people on the bottom, 6 on the top) with blankets or duvets. There is certain 'hut etiquette'. On arrival we leave our boots and metal ware in the entrance bootroom before going inside. Huts can be economical on space, and so staying tidy helps everyone! In the morning, breakfast will be early. We need to make sure the bedrooms are left as we found them (no rubbish, blankets/duvets folded). You can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view! See links page for Chamonix accomodation and airport transfers from Geneva. | ||||||
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