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Acclimatisation
Weekends 2012
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Course
overview
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Course
dates & availability
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This
is a course over two days that can either be done
in its own right as a weekend, or before a course
to enhance acclimatisation. It is perfect for those
booked on the one week Mont Blanc Summits or Matterhorn
courses, or for anyone concerned about getting enough
acclimatisation during their week. |
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We
run these Acclimatisation Weekends in Summer (from
June to September), every week of the season before
a scheduled course. On most weeks over half of clients
on a Mont Blanc course, opt for the weekend as well
as the standard course. |
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The
mountain that you ascend is normally a 3000m trekking
peak, on which you will not require ice axe or crampons,
as any snow patches that you may cross are non-glacial.
You should wear your normal trekking boots and travel
light. |
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Whilst
the key focus is on getting you acclimatised, we
also want to teach you about the area, so you will
be guided by a qualified UIMLA guide (IML) with
a vast local knowledge. |
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Arrive
on Saturday morning, and then trek up to a mountain
hut for the night. The next morning you set off
to reach a high summit or pass whose altitude is
around 2500 - 3000 metres. For those undertaking
a full week course afterwards, you return to reach
Chamonix by 16:30 on Sunday afternoon, and can get
straight into your accommodation to freshen up for
the 17:00 main course briefing. |
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The
weekend will also test and develop your balance
and ability to move quickly and efficiently over
broken mountain terrain, which is as useful for
an Introduction course, as it is a Matterhorn course. |
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Dates:
these
are listed in the column on the right, and they
show the live availability from our secure online
booking system. When you book online, you receive
immediate confirmation, your Alpine Information
Booklet, course specific kit list and invoice. |
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Course Dates
Acclimatisation
- [5+] 2 - 3 Jun 2012
- [5+] 9 - 10 Jun 2012
- [5+] 16 - 17 Jun 2012
- [5+] 23 - 24 Jun 2012
- [5+] 30 Jun - 1 Jul 2012
- [5+] 7 - 8 Jul 2012
- [5+] 14 - 15 Jul 2012
- [5+] 21 - 22 Jul 2012
- [5+] 28 - 29 Jul 2012
- [ 0 ] 4 - 5 Aug 2012
- [ 4 ] 11 - 12 Aug 2012
- [5+] 18 - 19 Aug 2012
- [5+] 25 - 26 Aug 2012
- [ 4 ] 1 - 2 Sep 2012
- [5+] 8 - 9 Sep 2012
- [5+] 15 - 16 Sep 2012
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| Client
feedback |
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It
made all the difference to me for coping
with the altitude on Mont Blanc, and gave
me seven days guiding!
Stephen
H , Acclimatisation
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Can
I just take this opportunity to say thank
you so much for the weekend guiding. I got
my bearings, learnt about the region, and
gave me strong hill legs for the rest of
the week. Thanks.
John
H-A , Acclimatisation
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
On this course you are led by
a UIMLA guide. This is the highest qualification, and
a legal requirement, for leading trekking and snowshoeing
groups in the Alps. It takes several years to train
to become an International Mountain Leader, and during
any trek they view your comfort, enjoyment, education
and safety, all as of equal importantance.
You will learn about the environment, flora, fauna,
glaciology and geology of the region. The leader will
have a vast local knowledge, and have lived and worked
in the Alps for years.
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Why
is acclimatisation so important?
Just the
fact that you are reading this page is an indication
that you are already aware that acclimatisation is essential
in the mountains. It takes an average person about 10
days to get 80% acclimatised, and five weeks to increase
this to 95%. In other words you will never be fully
acclimatised for a week long Alpine course, but every
day building up your acclimatisation counts. This weekend
enables you ascend to around 3000m, which is almost
three times the altitude of the highest point in the
UK, and to develop stimulation of the red blood cell
production (the blood cells that carry oxygen around
your body). We abide by the rule of climb high and sleep
(relatively) low, but don't expect to get a great nights
sleep at your first night at altitude. Some people even
notice that they sleep lightly the first night they
are in Chamonix, which is the same height as Snowdon.
By gaining height slowly and carefully you are maximising
your chances of acclimatising further during your stay
in the Alps, to make a safe and realistic attempt on
one of the larger summits.
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Top
tips for the acclimatisation weekends
1) Take your normal well worn
in
waterproof walking boots, to avoid getting any blisters.
2) A silk sleeping bag liner can be carried for use
in huts (summer), for comfort & hygiene.
3) Please take trekking poles to give you better balance,
and to look after your knees.
4) Don't carry too much extra in your rucksack, as it
will fatigue you and slow you down.
5) Ensure you take some earplugs, so you are guaranteed
to sleep at night in the hut.
6) Carry some zinc oxide tape and Compeed to pad your
feet in case of hot spots.
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ITINERARY
NOTES: Where possible we follow itineraries. Mountain
adventures are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly
we are forced to alter plans. If this is the case, suitable
alternatives are offered. Please use this outline itinerary
as a guide to the types of route / activity that you will
attempt. Please note that if you are have not arrived
in Chamonix by 12:30, the group will have set off without
you, and no refund or accommodation in Chamonix for the
night will be possible. Ensure that your flights and transfers
are booked early enough to allow you plenty of time.
When
to arrive in Chamonix
On
the Saturday the Icicle office is open for the Acclimatisation
Weekend check in and briefing at 12:00 midday, so you
can arrange flights to arrive in Geneva on Saturday morning
before 10:00 (allow a minimum of two hours for passport
control, baggage reclaim, and the transfer to Chamonix),
to avoid the expense of an extra night in town.
Saturday night accommodation
Saturday
nights are in mountain huts but please note that if
the weather is highly unstable, you will do two day routes
instead of the night in a hut. If this is the case we
will still do our utmost to get you as acclimatised as
possible, and if you are booked on an Icicle course you
can stay in the course accommodation on the Saturday night
on a room only basis for free. If
there are groups of two or less, we reserve the right
to cancel the guiding on the weekend, and you are refunded
in full, though room only accommodation in Chamonix will
be provided. |
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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2
days guiding, 2 days holiday in total |
£99 |
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Private
course
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Private
guided course for 1 or 2 people
(This
is the total price, not per person) |
£400 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA guide for two days (1:8
guiding ratio maximum), 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics
& briefings, 3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment
discount voucher for UK shops, 5) Free 36 page technical Course
Instruction Booklet, 6) Chamonix office support and full time
in-resort hosts, 7) Accommodation on Saturday night room only
in Chamonix (only if not in a mountain hut due to weather). |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Any cable
cars / uplift / transport (budget on £20), 4) One night
half board stay in a mountain hut for you and your guide (budget
on c.£50pp), 5) Activities insurance, & excess baggage
charges. |
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