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Alpine
"Big 3" extensions 2010
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FEEDBACK:
"The extension was a
great way to round off the already excellent week, and
to
summit Mont Blanc was a magical experience"
Amanda McA, Dover, 2002
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Overview |
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These
are the guiding rates for two day ascents of the
Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn or the Eiger, and they
are ALWAYS operated over a weekend (Saturday and
Sunday). The extensions are ONLY available to those
who have just completed a week long Icicle course,
to ensure that you are sufficiently trained, safe
and acclimatised before your summit attempt. Please
note we do not offer stand alone two day ascents
or bespoke courses of these peaks, as we are so
sure that our itineraries are correct to maximise
your summit chances. |
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We
can also arrange bespoke ascents of any Alpine peak,
or days of private guiding, prices from £300
a day. All the prices are for guiding only. You
must pay for you and your guide for the following:
cable cars & mountain railways, transport costs
to the area, Chamonix valley accommodation, and
half board in mountain huts. |
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As
an estimate you should allow about £150 expenses
on top of the price of the extension (depending
on the route). These extensions are only two days
long, and only available over the weekend (Saturday
& Sunday). |
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Dates: Run on demand from
June through to September. For current availability
on this course click
here. |
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Mont Blanc
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Course
Duration: Weekend (2 days) running over Saturday
and Sunday
Instructor / Guide Ratio: 2 days IFMGA Guiding
with ratio of 1:1 or 1:2 (see prices)
Previous Skills: Scottish Grade II/III Ice / UK
Rock S or VSevere / Alpine PD+
Level of Fitness: High, especially stamina (capable
of running a half marathon).
Prices: £999 for a 1:1 Guide ratio, or £499
for a 1:2 ratio (2 people booking at same time).
Dates: This course is run on demand, with dates
between mid June and early September.
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Matterhorn |
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Course
Duration: Weekend
(2 days) running over Saturday and Sunday
Instructor
/ Guide Ratio: 2 days IFMGA Guiding with ratio
of 1:1 only
Previous Skills: Scottish
Grade II/III Ice / UK Rock S/ VSevere / Alpine
PD+
Level of Fitness: High,
especially stamina (capable of running a half
marathon).
Prices: £1099
for a 1:1 Guide ratio, which
is the only Guiding ratio allowed on this peak.
Dates:
This course is run on demand, with dates between
mid July and mid August.
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Eiger |
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Course
Duration: Weekend
(2 days) running over Saturday and Sunday
Instructor
/ Guide Ratio: 2 days IFMGA Guiding with ratio
of 1:1 only
Previous Skills: Scottish Grade III Ice / UK Rock
HVS / Alpine AD
Level of Fitness: High,
especially stamina (capable of running a half
marathon).
Prices: £1099
for a 1:1 Guide ratio, which
is the only Guiding ratio allowed on this route.
Dates: This course is run on demand, with dates
between mid July and mid August.
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Commonly
asked questions |
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What
about an extra day Guiding to give a bigger
weather window?
We only offer the extensions as two days Guiding.
If you would like any extra days, then we
recommend a standard week long course. For
mountains of this stature, we consider that
our week long courses are the best itineraries
to allow for weather windows, acclimatisation,
and summit success. We do not offer any tailor
made alternatives for any of these peaks,
as we are so sure our itineraries are correct. |
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What
happens if there is bad weather?
If the weather is too bad for you to attempt
the mountain, then you will only be charged
according to the daily Guiding rates for whatever
alternative you climb. The mimimum Guiding
rate will be charged as £300 per day,
and you will be refunded the difference from
the amount that you have paid in the form
of a voucher towards a future Icicle course
(valid for 12 months). The decision as to
the level of refund and suitable alternatives
offered is made by Icicle staff. This policy
must be in force, as the Guides are booked
up front, and need to be paid for two days
work anyway. If you attempt the peak you originally
booked for, and are turned back by bad weather,
you are entitled to no refund. No summit can
be guaranteed, and this is the luck of the
draw. |
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What
ratios are allowed, and can you take more?
For Mont Blanc, a Guide can take one or two
clients (depending on your choice and the
Guides / Icicles assessment of your abilities).
No Guide can take any more than two clients.
We have been asked in the past if it is permissible
for a "separate" roped team to "shadow"
the Guided group. This is NOT possible, as
essentially the other team is Guided. If anyone
is thought to be trying this behind our backs,
we give the Guides our full backing to turn
around immediately, and to summon intervention
from the Gendarmes if necessary. On the Eiger
or Matterhorn, we enforce a 1:1 Guiding ratio
as the highest that Guides can operate with,
even though on some easier routes on the Eiger
a 1:2 ratio is legally permissable. We stick
to our 1:1 ratio to improve safety and speed,
and therefore summit chances. |
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