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Classic
Chamonix Treks 2010
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PHOTO:
Trekking in the Aiguilles Rouges above Chamonix, looking over
to the Mer de Glace
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FEEDBACK:
"An amazing week where we saw marmots, chamois and
dinosaur footprints!"
Kirstie S, Chiswick, 2007
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| Course
Overview |
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The
Chamonix Valley
This must surely rank as one of the world's best bases
for a walking holiday. The valley is hemmed in by sharp
granite spires, tumbling glaciers, and snowy peaks. Glimmering
above them all is the dome of Mont Blanc, the highest
peak in the Alps. The best views of these dramatic lanscapes
are gained by hiking trails far above the Chamonix valley. |
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Spectacular
Viewpoints
Each day's trek has been designed to show you the most
spectacular viewpoints above the Chamonix valley: Aiguille
du Midi, the Mer de Glace, Lac Blanc, Le Buet, and Aiguillette
des Posettes. You will be lead by a qualified International
Mountain Leader (IML), who has a vast local knowledge,
so you will learn an enormous amount. |
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Chamonix
TMB
Several sections of the treks that this week will undertake,
form part of the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), and the Chamonix
region offers some of the most spectacular views of the
North Face of Mont Blanc. A popular section is the trek
to Lac Blanc from the Col du Montets, via the Aiguillette
d'Argentiere. |
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Mountainous
Terrain
The trekking in the Mont Blanc massif is unforgiving and
steep in many places, even compared to other Alpine regions.
This is a key reason why you are led by an IML. However,
some of the most popular treks have sections of good footpath,
so don't worry. At either side of the key summer season,
there is a high chance of crossing some snow patches. |
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Self-Guided days
This is a fully guided holiday, but there is always the
option for people to walk by themselves on any day, rather
than staying with the guided group. You may also choose
to sightsee a different area of the valley, or to explore
the town. Please note that any treks and activities other
than those led by Icicle leaders do not form part of this
holiday. |
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Dates & Availability
4
- 10 July 2010, 22
- 28 August 2010
(7 days, with 5 days trekking). Extra dates can be run
on demand from June through to October for groups of two
or more people. For current availability on this course
click
here. |
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PHOTO:
On the summit of the Croix de Fer with the Martigny valley
of Switzerland just behind
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FEEDBACK:
"The amount our leader knew about the region
was astounding, and we were shown places that no
one could ever hope to find on their own. Really well organised,
and extremely friendly." Linda P, London, 2006
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| Regional
Details |
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When
to Travel
Any time between mid-June and late September is suitable
for trekking in the Alps. Snowfall is possible on higher
ground all year round, but is unlikely in mid-summer.
July and August are the key months for the French holidays,
and are often the hottest months. This comes with a slightly
higher risk of afternoon rain showers. |
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Mountain
Weather
A key risk that your leader will be more than aware of
is the afternoon Alpine thunderstorm, that are at their
peak in the summer months. This just means that you should
come equiped to expect three seasons in one day, not unlike
a day hillwalking in the UK! The mornings are cold and
clear, midday is hot, and there is the afternoon storm
risk. |
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Fixed Equipment
In the Chamonix valley, there are many short sections
of fixed equipment to negotiate on the treks. This may
involve ladders, chains, fixed wires / ropes, and staples
/ footholds. Your leader always carries a rope and some
equipment to assist you on these sections, if required.
Do not worry, you are in the safest and best hands on
this type of ground. |
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Local
Produce
Chamonix is within the Haute-Savoie département
of France, famed for cheese dishes, using milk from local
cow herds and goats, as well as meat dishes. You can buy
local produce for lunch each day, and can opt to eat out
each evening when not in a hut. |
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Any queries?
If you have any questions, or would like and further information,
please contact our Chamonix Office team directly, as you
can speak to an International Mountain Leader who can
answer any query that you have about the itinerary or
area. |
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
You are led by a British International
Mountain Leader (IML). This is the highest qualification
for leading trekking groups in the Alps (where it is
a legal requirement) and worldwide. During the treks
their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment, education
and safety, all of which are equally important. Being
led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring
far more than someone to show you the way. You will
learn about the environment, flora, fauna, glaciology,
geology, and geography of the region. To ensure your
safety your IML will guide
you on steep ground, on fixed equipment (ladders, chains,
etc), and over snow patches.
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Daily
Course Itinerary |
| Sun |
Travel
to Chamonix to arrive for the 18:00 check-in followed
by and course safety and itinerary briefings. There
is time for kit checks or rental of equipment. Briefings
are over by 20:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany
the group to dinner. Night in Chamonix. |
| Mon |
Lac
Blanc & the Aiguilles Rouges
Today's trek takes you high up into the Aiguille
Rouges (Red Needles), and you are taken to some
of the best viewpoints of the Mont Blanc massif,
such as Lac Blanc (2,350m) which often has icebergs
in it until late summer. This region is ideal for
the first day's walk, and it lets you get your bearings
from high above the Arve valley. Night in Chamonix. |
| Tue |
Emmosson
& the dinosaur tracks!
High up in the mountains above the Emmosson dam
are rocks with dinosaur tracks all over them. This
walk takes you into very different scenary from
Chamonix, and you descend a remote gorge to return.
Night in Chamonix. |
Aiguillette
des Posettes & Col de Balme
This option follows part of the Tour
du Mont Blanc to the Swiss border at Col de Balme.
From there you traverse the the ridge of Aiguillette
des Posettes, and descend to either the Montroc
or Trelechamp hamlet. Night in Chamonix. |
| Wed |
Plan
de l’Aiguille and Montenvers
In the morning you take the cable car up to the
Aiguille du Midi at 3842m, and you spend a couple
of hours taking in the spectacular views of Mont
Blanc, before descending as far as the half-way
station and traversing the Balcon Trek across to
Montenvers and the Mer de Glace glacier. You finish
by trekking down to Chamonix where you spend the
night. |
| Thu |
Le
Buet to the Pierre Berard Refuge
Walk from Le Buet up the spectacular Vallon Berard,
to reach the Pierre Berard refuge at its head. The
valley is also a famous ski tour in winter. The
night is spent in the mountain refuge, sleeping
in the cosy rooms. |
Servoz
to the Col d'Anterne Refuge
This trek takes you up through the trees above Servoz
to walk through some spectacular meadows to reach
the remote Anterne refuge. Here you eat and then
spend the night, sleeping in one of the mountain
dormitories. |
| Fri |
Le
Buet Summit and return
A very early start to reach the summit of Le Buet,
which provides one of the most famous views of Mont
Blanc across the intervening Aiguilles Rouges. Descend
back to the refuge, and then back to Chamonix for
the night. |
Lac
Anterne and a summit
For a brilliant end to the week, you get up early
to walk to the lake around sunrise, then trek up
one the the nearby summits for amazing views of
Mont Blanc. You descend all the way back to Chamonix
for the last night. |
| Sat |
Breakfast,
then course debrief, with feedback and questions
and answers session. Depart for home. |
| N.B. |
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
All the photos below are from the
current trekking season in Chamonix Mont Blanc.
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Chamois
on a rock
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Crossing
snow patches
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Trumpet
Gentian
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In
the Aiguilles Rouges
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Signal
Forbes & Les Drus
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On
the Grand Balcon Nord
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£499 |
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Premium
course
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7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£598 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for five days,
2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) B&B
accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings & towels), 4) Pre
course information booklet, 5) Equipment discount voucher for
UK shops, 6) Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet,
7) Valley transport as it is required, 8) Evening technical
instruction when in Chamonix. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3) Personal
laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening meals in valley,
& any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
4) Cable cars and mountain uplift (not normally required), 5)
Option of one night half board stay in a mountain hut for you
and your guide (budget on c. £30), 6) Activities insurance,
& excess baggage charges. |
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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 later on during
your course, details. |
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Mont
Blanc Extension
from £449
(two days guiding) |
Two
days of extra guiding to attempt Mont Blanc, with the
same guide who you have climbed with on this course. Ascent
via the Gouter route, details. |
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Private
Room Upgrade
£120
(7-27 June & 6-26 Sept)
£150 (28 June - 5 Sept) |
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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