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Chamonix
trail running camps 2012
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Course
overview
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Current
course availability
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You
only need to scan through the running magazines
and forums to get an idea of how popular trail
running is becoming. We have been offering
these Alpine trail running camps for several
years, to help people get into this fascinating
and totally addictive sport. |
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Our
week long Alpine trail running camps are based
in Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, as
there are hundreds of kilometers of trails
to choose from. We offer a great balance of
running, coaching, and trail running advice,
preparation and top tips. |
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These
training camps are open to anyone, but we
suggest that you will get the most out of
them if you are happy running up to 10km,
or even a half marathon. If you are in any
doubt as to if they will suit, then get in
touch to get advice from one of the coaches. |
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As
well as enjoying a great week of trail running,
we aim to teach you the key safety skills
for route planning and Alpine running, with
a focus put on the selection of appropriate
equipment and how to develop your training
plans for trail running. |
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Don't
worry if you have never run trails before,
as you will pick up the skills quickly with
expert coaching and guidance. All you need
is to be fit for regular running, to have
a sense of humour, and to love the outdoors.
We can teach the rest, and you are guaranteed
a great holiday that you won't forget for
a very long time. |
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During
this course you should gain your National
Navigation Award Scheme (www.nnas.org.uk)
Silver level award through learning advanced
use of the map and compass, as well as the
use of altimeters and GPS for
winter navigation. |
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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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Location
data for this activity
The
majority of our trail runs are based in the Chamonix
valley in the French Alps. It is also easy to access
the Valais region of Switzerland or the Aosta Valley
region of Italy, as these involve less than an hours
drive. There is a great choice of trail running
venues in all these regions. |
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Time
Difference
GMT + 1 hour
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Local
Currency
€ Euros
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Travel
from UK
1 hour flight
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Our
technical partners
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We
are very happy to have Blue Ice and Raidlight as
technical partners for our Alpine trail running
courses, and our coaches use their products both
when leading our running camps, as well as in their
own time for training and in competition usage too. |
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FREE
Podcast: Getting into trail running...
Trail
running is a fastgrowing sport, and this podcast
explains what it involves, how to get into
it, and also goes through all of the equipment
that is required...
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FREE
Resource: Alpine trail running kit list...
If you are planning on attending one of our
trail running courses, you can see a kit check
list of the clothing and equipment that we
recommend you take...
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Brief
Course Itinerary
Chamonix
is blessed with hundreds of kilometers of trails over
all types of terrain, from forest tracks to high alpages
and mountain passes, and so the itinerary can be flexed
on any day to take account of weather conditions, to ensure
that you sample the best on offer. The itinerary below
is to provide you with a taster of what you could achieve,
and isn't fixed in stone. After each day in the itinerary
is an outline of the key teaching focus points for every
day, so you get a real idea of what you can learn about.
We get many clients who come back year after year to repeat
this Alpine trail running camp, but they need never repeat
a trail they have run before.
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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
(see inclusions below for what you are provided
as part of the course price). Briefings are over
by 18:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group
to pre-dinner drinks. Some clients opt to travel
out a day or two early to get their hill legs back
and to explore the town. Night in Chamonix. |
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Monday
A
classic warm up trail run in Chamonix, such as that
from the Plan
d'Aiguille
to Montenvers, then the option of
running down to Chamonix, or taking the train. The
key focus of the day is to develop different
running techniques for varied terrain types.
Night in Chamonix.
Equipment and clothing choice and its selection
- footwear, poles, bags, compression kit.
Nutritional and hydration advice, whilst in the
mountains - quantity, effects, sources.
Highlight
- running the amazing balcony trail overlooking
the whole Chamonix valley. |
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Tuesday
Today
the focus is on key mountain skills for trail running,
and so the day is spent mountain walking / running
, with a focus on navigation techniques and acclimatisation
issues. Typically this is a fairly long hill day
in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve. Night in
Chamonix.
Techniques for the use of poles for walking and
running - traversing, ascent, descent.
Mountain navigation for running routes, using GPS,
maps & compass - NNAS syllabus.
Highlight
- gaining autonomy skills hiking and running in
unspoiled stunning scenery. |
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Wednesday
We
take the picturesque Mont Blanc express train from
Chamonix to Vallorcine, and run a section of the
Chamonix Mont Blanc marathon to Montroc or further
to Le Tour. After the run, there is a session on
stretching and developing core strength. Night in
Chamonix.
Decent techniques for different trail types and
conditions - grass, rock, scree, forest.
Focus on injury avoidance, and common first aid
scenarios - planning, stretching, triage.
Highlight
- running over the Aiguillette des Posettes with
Mont Blanc ahead of you. |
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Thursday
Easier
day, with a shorter run. This is really a warm up
day in preparation for a long run the following
day, to make final preparations, and to keep your
muscles stretched. In the afternoon there is the
option of a jacuzzi to relax the muscles. Night
in Chamonix.
Session on how to plan mountain trail running routes
- tactics, equipment, food, training.
Focus on pacing, timings, effects of gradient, and
terrain factors - personal plans.
Highlight
- a presentation about participating in various
Alpine trail running race events. |
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Friday
A
longer trail run, up to a half marathon in length,
to really put all the elements together that you
have learnt over the week. Typically the route taken
would follow that of the Cross du Mont Blanc, the
annual half marathon event. Descend by cable car.
Night in Chamonix!
The icing on the cake after all the efforts for
the week - run a half mountain marathon.
Put into practice all the skills that you have learnt
- see how much you have developed.
Highlight
- completing a half marathon across the mountains
on rough Alpine trails. |
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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.
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
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
full days UIMLA guiding, 1:6 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday |
£599 |
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Live
availability
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Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Inclusions:
1) UIMLA guide for five days, 2) Chamonix course
hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course
information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher
for UK shops, 5) Six nights B&B accommodation
in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 6) Free
36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 7)
Road / train transport in Chamonix valley, 8) Chamonix
office support and several optional evening instruction
sessions, 9) Equipment hire of poles, boots and
rucksacks if required, 10) Certificate for NNAS
navigation award. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Personal laundry,
telephone calls, lunches, evening meals, & any
purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
3) Cable cars and mountain uplift, 4) Road transport
outside the Chamonix valley (not usually required),
5) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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