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Mont
Blanc Intermediate 2010
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PHOTO:
ascending an acclimatisation peak for preparation for Mont
Blanc
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FEEDBACK:
"Good organisation. Plenty of information and skills
learnt from Guides and instructors.
Felt confident of suggestions / recommendations of routes.
Very useful course for learning autonomy
in the Alps. Gained lots of skills useful for climbing in
a small unguided team." Ryan D, London, 2007
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| Course
Overview |
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For
those with a little previous climbing experience, the
Mont Blanc Intermediate course is the Alpine Autonomy
Course with the Mont Blanc Summits course on the end to
give a good chance of summitting Mont Blanc. |
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Over
two weeks you attempt famous Alpine routes, including
the remote Domes du Miages, and train and acclimatise
for your ascent of Mont Blanc. There are up to three nights
in huts to ensure great acclimatisation. |
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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 can make your summit attempt
on the first available weather window during the week. |
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The
technical content will be tailored to build on your current
experience, with an emphasis on glacier travel and crevasse
rescue on both dry and wet glaciers. The course also covers
a whole host of ropework and Alpine safety issues such
as avalanche awareness, belays and anchors, crampon and
ice axe techniques. |
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This
course is set at just above the level of the Introduction
course (summer or winter), so if you have a bit too much
experience (such as previous rock climbing experience)
this course is for you. The vast majority of the routes
ascended are of the Alpine PD grade (roughly equivalent
to Scottish Grade II/III). |
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The
second week 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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On
the second week of this course, we are deliberately as
flexible as possible with the itinerary so that, if you
feel ready, fit and acclimatised, you can make your summit
attempt on the first available weather window during this
second week. |
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Dates: 6
- 19 June 2010, 20
June - 3 July 2010, 25
July - 7 Aug 2010,
8 - 21 August 2010, 22
August - 4 September 2010, 5
- 18 September 2010.
For current availability on this course click
here. |
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The
course at a glance... |
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Two week long course, run during summer. Price £1999pp,
includes accommodation. |
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If you have some experience you develop your autonomy
and summit Mont Blanc. |
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Top tip... if you have no climbing experience, consider
2 week Mt
Blanc Achievements |
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You could also consider week long... Alpine
Autonomy
or
Mont
Blanc Summit. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Brief
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 pre-dinner
drinks to answer any queries.
Night in Chamonix. |
| Mon |
Day
on the Mer de Glace glacier at around 2000m, with the
day spent vertical ice climbing, creating anchors, placing
ice screws & learning glacier travel skills. Guiding
ratio 1:6 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Tue |
Alpine
ridge route, such as the Traverse of Aiguille du Crochues,
to focus on ropework, moving together, anchors, and the
assessment of objective dangers.
Guiding ratio 1:3 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Wed |
Today
you really progress your altitude snowskills with an ascent
of another peak, such as the Petite Aiguille Verte, and
all skills previously learnt will be tested. Guiding ratio
1:3 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Thu |
From
Contamines you ascend to the Conscrits hut beneath the
Domes du Miages, where you spend the night before the
Alpine start the next morning.
Guiding ratio 1:3 (max). Night in mountain hut (half board). |
| Fri |
Ascend
the glacier to reach the Col des Domes, then traverse
the magnificant ridge over the five summits to the Col
du Berangere. Descend to hut then the valley. Guiding
ratio 1:3 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Sat |
Breakfast,
then course debrief, with feedback and questions and answers
session. Free afternoon to relax, go sightseeing and prepare
for the next week. Night
in Chamonix. |
| Sun |
Morning
off for sightseeing. Join the new group at 18:00 for the
briefings and kit checks. Briefings are over by 20:00
and the Chamonix hosts accompany the group to dinner.
Night in Chamonix. |
| Mon |
Day
to learn / 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.
Guiding ratio 1:6 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Tue |
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. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night spent
in mountain hut / Chamonix. |
| Wed |
Acclimatisation route to a summit. Either an Alpine start
from the mountain hut or a second acclimatisation route.
Return to Chamonix to prepare for Mont Blanc. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Thu |
Equipment
and bag checks before you set off to climb up to one of
the high huts, either the Cosmiques or the Gouter hut
for the night. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in hut on
Mont Blanc. |
| Fri |
Summit
Mont Blanc 4810m from an Alpine start from the high hut,
and descend to Chamonix. Reach
valley late afternoon, celebrations in the evening. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Sat |
Breakfast,
then course debrief, with feedback and questions and answers
session. 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
Alpine
Autonomy course (£899) followed by Mont Blanc Summits
course (£1299), totals £2198, so you save £199!
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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)
LINK |
£2098 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide for ten
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 hut (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, 9)
Cable cars & uplift as specified in detailed itinerary for
the second week (Monday to Friday), worth over 100 euros, 10)
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 for first week, 4) Personal laundry, telephone
calls, lunches, evening meals in valley, & any purchases
in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) 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 100 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)
£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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