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Mont
Blanc 'Achievements' 2012
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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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The
Mont Blanc Achievements course is the Intro 4000m
'Summits & Skills' Course with the Mont Blanc
Summits course bolted on the end. It gives a total
climbing novice the skills for a realistic chance
of summitting Mont Blanc. |
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As
the course is over two weeks, it is ideal for those
wishing to climb Mont Blanc, but who believe that
they would benefit from a longer period over which
to develop their skills, fitness and acclimatisation. |
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You
need no previous experience of climbing or mountaineering.
This course is suitable for keen hill walkers, indoor
wall climbers, or ramblers, to introduce you to
the key technical aspects necessary for mountaineering. |
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As
with the Mont Blanc Summits course, for the ascent
of Mont Blanc itself you should be capable of
running a half marathon or cycling for five hours
continuously. The fitter you are the more you
will enjoy the views.
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On
the second week of this course, we are as flexible
as possible with the itinerary so that, if you feel
ready, fit and acclimatised, you make your summit
attempt on the first available weather window, Tuesday
onwards. |
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This
course is focused on you preparing and summitting
Mont Blanc, with other summits and nights spent
at altitude to increase acclimatisation. There is
a dedicated information page for Mont Blanc: summit
focus. |
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You
will also stay for up to three nights in mountain
huts and and
should gain your National Navigation Award Scheme
(NNAS, www.nnas.org.uk) Silver level award through
learning advanced use of the map and compass, as
well as altimeters and GPS. |
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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
Mt Blanc Achievements
- [ 0 ] 10 - 23 Jun 2012
- [ 0 ] 24 Jun - 7 Jul 2012
- [ 0 ] 8 - 21 Jul 2012
- [ 2 ] 15 - 28 Jul 2012
- [ 0 ] 29 Jul - 11 Aug 2012
- [ 3 ] 12 - 25 Aug 2012
- [ 3 ] 26 Aug - 8 Sep 2012
- [ 4 ] 9 - 22 Sep 2012
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| Client
feedback |
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I
just wanted to say thank you for the most
fantastic two weeks this summer. I had such
an amazing time, loved every minute of it.
You guys do such a brilliant job and i am
so so greatful to you both for 'looking
after' me. I am already trying to think
of things to do next summer and I'm really
keen to come out again for a few weeks.
I have attached a few of pictures I took,
thought the one of the three of us girlies
with the guides at the top was a good one!
I hope you are all well, and hopefully see
you again next year!
Laura
Owen , Achievements
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Guides
were very proactive with teaching and understanding
of beginners. Course was good. Covered a
wide range of stuff
John
Anderson , Achievements
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Brief
Course Itinerary
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Sunday
Travel to Chamonix to arrive for the 17:00 check-in followed
by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There is
time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings
are over by 19:00 and the team accompany the group to
pre-dinner drinks. Many clients opt to travel out a day
or two early to do a two day acclimatisation weekend course
to provide an extra night in a hut, and to ascend a 3000m
peak. Night in Chamonix. |
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Monday
Alpine
skills, navigation, route planning and snow techniques
day. There are a huge range
of options and skills that can be covered today including
climbing to an Alpine summit via a steep ground,
practice of hazard awareness, use of
GPS & altimeters, moving on snow and emergency procedures
. Guiding ratio
1:6 (max).
Evening theory session on the key safety knots and ropework.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Tuesday
Day
to learn and practice using crampons and ice axes on the
Mer de Glace glacier (2000m). You also climb vertical
ice, create ice anchors, and learn glacier travel skills.
This is one of your most important days of the course
in terms of skills development as it is essential to have
good footwork on Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max).
Evening session on Alpine
weather prediction and the effects of mountains. Night
in Chamonix. |
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Wednesday
Glacier
travel skills, practicing building snow anchors, crevasse
rescue, and probing for crevasses, spent on a journey
across either the Vallée Blanche, Pointe Lachenal
and the Col du Midi, or the massive Argentiere glacier
basin. The day is essential for your acclimatisation before
Gran Paradiso. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max).
Evening session on climbers crevasse rescue and emergency
hoist systems. Night in Chamonix. |
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Thursday
A
morning of rock climbing skills, to learn / practice belaying
safely and how to lead / set up safe anchors on rock climbs.
You climb either in the Chamonix or Aosta valleys, depending
on where the weather is better. The drive to Pont below
Gran Paradiso takes just over an hour, and after lunch
you trek up to either the Chabod or Victor Emmanuel hut
on Gran Paradiso itself. Guiding
ratio 1:3 (max). Night in mountain hut. |
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Friday
Summit
Gran Paradiso 4061m after an Alpine start from the high
hut, then after you have reached the summit, you descend
to the refuge for lunchtime. After this you trek back
down to the valley in Pont, and make the return drive
to Chamonix. Celebrations
in Chamonix in the evening. Guiding ratio 1:3 (max).
Evening instruction session, then a celebratory meal,
with the final night spent in Chamonix. |
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Saturday
Breakfast, then week one debrief, with feedback and questions
and answers session. Some people opt to book a tandem
paraglider flight in the morning to celebrate the weeks
efforts, and prices for this are from 90€ for a c.30
minute flight. These flights can be booked in resort up
to the day before you wish to fly. You have the rest of
the day as free time to ascend cable cars to acclimatise,
or to rest and explore town. |
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Sunday
Day off in Chamonix, to spend as you wish visiting the
numerous tourist attractions, or resting and preparing
your kit for the second week. Everyone meets for the second
week briefing at 17:00 followed by and course safety and
itinerary briefings. There is time for kit checks or rental
of equipment. Briefings are over by 19:00 and the team
accompany the group to pre-dinner drinks. Night in Chamonix. |
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Monday
Day
for further practice using crampons and ice axes on the
Mer de Glace glacier (2000m). You also climb vertical
ice, create ice anchors, and learn glacier travel skills.
This is one of your most important days of the course
in terms of skills development as it is essential to have
good footwork on Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:6 (max).
Evening theory session on the key safety knots and ropework.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Tuesday
Acclimatisation
route to a summit. Continue to a mountain hut for the
night or return to Chamonix. The aim is to develop your
skills at altitude. The choice of the 1 or 2 day routes
is made in reaction to which day you attempt Mont Blanc,
as we can alter the itinerary to maximise your chances.
Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Evening
session on Alpine weather prediction and the effects of
mountains. Night in Chamonix. |
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Wednesday
Acclimatisation
route to a summit. Either an Alpine start from the mountain
hut or a second acclimatisation route. Typical routes
for the last two days include Cosmiques Arete, Gran Paradiso,
Petite Verte, Pointe Lachenal or Aiguille du Tour. Return
to Chamonix to prepare for Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:2
(max). Evening session
on climbers crevasse rescue and emergency hoist systems.
Night in Chamonix. |
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Thursday
Equipment
and bag checks before you set off to climb up to one of
the high huts, either the Cosmiques or the Gouter / Tête
Rousse hut for the night. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). The
choice of route that you take on Mont Blanc, and which
hut(s) you stay in is a function of the weather, conditions,
and your skills and fitness. Often different teams suit
different plans to maximise their summit chances. Night
in hut on Mont Blanc. |
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Friday
Summit
Mont Blanc 4810m from an Alpine start from the high hut,
and descend to Chamonix. It
is usual to reach the summit just after sunrise, to take
advantage of the best snow conditions, and to minimise
the risks of stonefall or late afternoon storms. Reach
valley afternoon, celebrations in the evening. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max).
Evening instruction session, then a celebratory meal,
with the final night spent in Chamonix. |
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Saturday
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most arrange
their airport transfers to leave around this time, to
catch a flight from Geneva about midday.
Depart for home. Some people
opt to book a tandem paraglider flight in the morning
to celebrate the weeks efforts, and prices for this are
from 90€ for a c.30 minute flight. These flights
can be booked in resort up to the day before you wish
to fly. Depart for home. |
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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 the 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. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Course
Prices
An
Introduction course (£799) followed by Mont Blanc Summits
course (£1349), totals £2148, so you save £149!
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Standard
course
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10
days guiding, 14 days holiday in total |
£1999 |
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Premium
course
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12
days guiding, 14 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
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£2098 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide for nine
days, UIMLA guide for one day, 2) Chamonix course hosts for
logistics & briefings, 3) B&B accommodation in Chamonix
(inc. beddings & towels), 4) Up to three nights half board
in mountain hut (inc. costs for guides), two nights of which
are paid for by Icicle, 5) Pre course information booklet, 6)
Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 7) Free 36 page technical
Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Road transport in Chamonix valley
including tunnel ticket and road transport to / from Gran Paradiso,
9) Evening technical instruction, 11) Icicle expedition kit
bag for FREE (see below). |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Cable
cars & uplift (c. 120 euros depending on itinerary), 4)
Optional third night in a mountain hut on a half board basis
for you and guide, 5) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches,
evening meals in valley, & any purchases in mountain huts
/ hotels / restaurants, 6) Certificate for NNAS navigation award,
7) Sunday pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory meal &
drinks, 8) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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Icicle
expedition kit bag for FREE
All those booking on this
course are entitled to a free Icicle expedition kit bag.
This tough c.75 litre capacity kit bag is designed for
full expedition usage and is made out of durable and waterproof
rip-proof material. It normally retails at £50.
Postage within the UK is included in the prices. If you
live overseas, it's not a problem at all. We'll let you
know the price for postage. Want a second bag? Order another,
click
here. |
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| Upgrade
options |
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Acclimatisation
Weekend
£99
(throughout the season) |
To
get the most out your course, acclimatisation is essential
so that you minimise the chances of AMS (altitude sickness)
later on during your course,
details. |
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Half
Board Upgrade
£99
(per week ) |
For
every night that you are in town, you eat in a different
restaurant in the centre of Chamonix. Always three courses,
to power you for the next day. |
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Private
Room Upgrade (pw)
£150 (sunject to
availability) |
The
course accommodation is usually in rooms of two sharing.
Two people booking / sending forms together are guaranteed
a room of two sharing. This upgrade guarantees you a private
room on
your own for your course. |
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