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Gran
Paradiso trek & summit 2012
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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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This
is a classic route and is a great mix of challenging
trekking and easy Alpine climbing to reach the highest
point completely in Italy. The holiday is over seven
days, with five days trekking and climbing. |
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The
vast majority of the trek is in the Gran Paradiso
National Park, and so the area is unspoilt by cable
cars or development. Most nights on the trek you
stay in Italian mountain refuges, and can indulge
in great mountain food. You stay in huts on a half
board basis (included) for three nights during the
week. |
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The
trekking in the region is remote and unforgiving,
so you need to have a good level of trekking fitness.
For the ascent of Gran Paradiso no previous climbing
experience is required, as you can be taught any
skills on the mountain. We provide all the safety
equipment such as crampons, axe and harness for
free. |
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You
can look on this week as tough trekking or easy
climbing, and it will appeal to those who enjoy
remote areas, but love staying in mountain huts,
and there is a real sense of challenge with the
prospect of what is probably your first Alpine 4000m
peak at the end of the week. For those who do not
want a 'climbing' course, yet want to experience
remote and easy Alpine summits, this is the holiday
for you. If you are looking at more of a 'climbing'
course, consider the Alpine Intro 4000m Course,
and for details click
here. |
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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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| Why
choose Icicle for this trek? |
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Great
guiding ratios where we guarantee a maximum group size
of six people on each day of the holiday. |
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The highest quality and qualifications possible for leaders.
See the section below for full details of this. |
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Three nights half board in mountain huts in the remote
and unspoilt Gran Paradiso National Park. |
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Itinerary flexibility to enable you to take in several
peaks during the week. |
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Your
guarantees of the highest standards
On this course you are led by
UIMLA International Mountain Leader(s) for the trekking
days, and IFMGA Mountain Guides for the ascent of Gran
Paradiso itself. These are the highest qualifications
in the world for these activities, so rest assured that
you are in the safest of hands at all times. To read
more about our guiding team click
here, or to
read more about the qualifications, click on the logos
to the right.
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Daily
Course Itinerary
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| Sun |
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 Chamonix hosts accompany
the group to
pre-dinner drinks to answer any queries.
Night in Chamonix. |
| Mon |
Today
you travel through the Mont Blanc road tunnel into
Italy, and after passing Courmayeur, to turn up
the Valgrisanche. At its head you trek up to the
Mario Bezzi refuge, then in the afternoon a popular
option is to visit the Lago di Vuert. Walking
time: c. 5 hours. Night in mountain hut. |
| Tue |
The
objective for the day is to reach the Benevolo refuge,
and this involves crossing either Col Bassac Dere
3082m or Col Bassac 3155m. If you have energy you
can take in the summit of Becca della Traversiere
3334m
or Punta Basei 3388m. Walking time: 6 - 7 hours.
Night in mountain hut. |
| Wed |
Today
there is a choice of routes, such as the remote
Col Rosset 3023m, or the ascent of the Punta di
Leynir 3240m, before crossing back to the Valgrisanche
via a quieter route to the north. Here you travel
back to Chamonix for an evening instruction session.
Walking time: 6 - 7 hours. Night in Chamonix. |
| Thu |
Today
is a deliberately easier day to prepare you for
the exertions of the next day. After breakfast and
kit checks, you drive to the Valsavaranches, to
reach the hamlet of Pont around lunchtime. Here
you ascend to the Victor Emmanuel hut. Walking time:
c. 3 hours. Night in mountain hut. |
| Fri |
A
very early start to cross the boulder field behind
the hut, to reach the glacier, then it's crampons
and harnesses on for the ascent of the highest point
completely in Italy. On the glacier you are roped
up for safety, and it is a long but gradual ascent
to Col Montcorve, then steeper to reach the summit
ridge. Here it is a short and easy but exposed scramble
to reach the summit at 4061m. After the summit celebrations
you descend to Pont and return to Chamonix. Walking
time: 9 - 10 hours. Night in Chamonix. |
| Sat |
The
morning is free for you to spend as you wish. Most
people opt to explore the Chamonix market for local
produce and presents. The accommodation check out
is by 10:00. |
| 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
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£699 |
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Premium
course
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7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£798 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for three days
and IFMGA Guide for two days, 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 huts (inc. costs for guides), 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 travel to / from Gran Paradiso
region, 9) 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)
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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Half
Board Upgrade
£99
(throughout the season) |
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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Mont
Blanc Extension
from £499
(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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