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Saas
Classics, 4000er Peak Bagging
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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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If
you have already attended an Introduction course
in Scotland, Chamonix or Arolla, this course will
take your skills to the next level. Based in the
beautiful Saas Fae region it is focused on climbing
as many Alpine 4000m classic summits around the
Saas region as possible, whilst pushing your technical
climbing skills. |
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This
course ascends famous routes around the PD/ AD grade
in the Saas Fae. Examples include famous routes
on the Weissmeiss, Lagginhorn, Nadelhorn, and Alphubel,
based in comfortable mountain huts on a half board
basis, so you are given a good three course cooked
meal every evening. This is excellent for developing
your acclimatisation and saves any time consuming
walk-ins, making the most of your climbing time. |
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For
those prefering snow or ice routes, rather than
mixed or involving some rock, you should opt for
the course dates early in the season (June or July)
for the best conditions with more ice and less stonefall. |
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This
course can be used as progression from the Alpine
Introduction
in Chamonix, or if you are feeling more confident,
look at the Swiss
4000er Peak Baggers course
which has a ratio of 1:2 guiding, involving more
stamina, and is focused more on technical demanding
snow / ice and mixed climbing summits. |
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Whatever
your previous ice or rock experience, the aim of
this course is also to teach you more skills and
style points useful in your own climbing, developing
your mixed climbing, grades and techniques on different
routes.
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When
in Chamonix at either of the end of the week, or
when in the mountain huts, you are taught technical
skills such as knots and ropework, crevasse rescue
hoist systems, and avalanche prediction. |
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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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Course Dates
Saas Classics
- [ 4 ] 1 - 7 Jul 2012
- [ 4 ] 5 - 11 Aug 2012
- [ 4 ] 2 - 8 Sep 2012
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| Client
feedback |
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Just
wanted to say thanks for a wonderful trip.
Everything was so well organised and really
friendly which made it absolutely perfect,
especially when combined with our luck with
the weather! Please pass on our thanks to
Paolo too, couldn't have wished for a nicer
or better guide
Jenny G ,
Saas 4000m Peaks
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This
week really boosted my confidence. Great
summits, a great group, and Jean-Luc was
really knowledgeable. I will be back!!!
Louise
H
, Saas 4000m Peaks
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So
why choose Icicle? |
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We
are true specialists in the Saas region. See our
blog, by clicking on the RSS logo (right). |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full advantage
of the weather and conditions each day, so that
you maximise the amount of time spent climbing each
day. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling, to
protect you from euro currency fluctuations, so
that you can budget accurately. |
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We
have a team of over 30 IFMGA guides, and a resort
support team, who all want you to have the best
summit chances possible! For more details on the
guiding team and qualifications, please click
here. |
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Brief
Course Itinerary |
| 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 |
Setting
off from Chamonix in the early morning you are driven
to Saas Grund near Zermatt. Today is a day to refresh
your climbing and ropework skills on rock and in crampons.
After catching the cable car, the aim of the day is to
climb Jegihorn (3206m), which has a section of via ferrata
and great views of Mischabel. In the afternoon you trek
three hours to the Almageller hut. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max).
Night in mountain hut. |
| Tue |
Starting
with an early Alpine start from a hut, today is the stunning
exposed traverse of the SSE ridge of the Weissmeiss (4017m).
This is an exciting 45 degree snow and ice ridge route.
After photos and some lunch you start the exciting decent
by the SW ridge. You cross huge exposed crevasses to reach
Saas Almagell, then catch the Hoghaas lift to reach the
hut beneath the Lagginhorn. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in hut. |
| Wed |
Today
is the famous altitude route to the summit of Lagginhorn
(4010m). The route is a long and varied ridge with some
mixed climbing, involving climbing tricky sections of
broken rock in crampons. There are fantastic views and
ample photo opportunities throughout the day, particularly
from the exposed summit block.
In the late afternoon you descend back
to the hut. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night
in mountain hut. |
| Thu |
After
the past couple of long technical days, today is a little
easier with a shorter route to prepare you for the big
route tomorrow. The summit aim is Alphubel (4206m) which
is the most Southerly point of the Mischabel chain.
The ascent is via the SE ridge from Saas Fae from the
Langthue cable car to reach the snow ridge with a small
summit block. In the afternoon you trek the 4-5 hours
which
is equipped with cables and chains
to reach the Mischabel hut. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in mountain hut.
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| Fri |
The
ascent of the Nadelhorn starts from a short ridge directly
behind the Mischabel hut, to reach the Hohbalm glacier
and Windjoch at 3850m. From here the NE ridge is an impressive
mixed climbing route with a void on both sides to reach
the tiny summit block.
The views from the summit are stunning, with the Matterhorn
and Mont Blanc dominating the panorama. After the descent
you are driven back to Chamonix for the night. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Celebratory last night meal and night
in Chamonix. |
| Sat |
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. |
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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
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£1249 |
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Premium
course
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7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£1348 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain 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) Road transport in the Chamonix valley and to and from Saas,
8) Up to four nights half board (breakfast & three course
cooked dinner) in mountain huts (inc. costs for the Guides),
9) Evening technical instruction on evenings in Chamonix. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to & 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 & uplift for you & your guide, budget
approx £50 (Guide cable cars included in Chamonix), 5)
Sunday pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory meal &
drinks, 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 (altitude sickness)
later on during your course,
details. |
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Matterhorn
/ Eiger Extension
£1099
(two days guiding) |
Two
days of extra guiding to attempt the Matterhorn or the
Eiger, with the same guide who you have climbed with on
Mont Blanc, 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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