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Ski
Ascent of Mont Blanc
2012
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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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For
the ultimate mountain challenge, this course ascends
the highest summit in Western Europe, Mont Blanc
4810m. If there is sufficient snow, you can descend
by ski right down from the summit to Chamonix, a
vertical drop from the summit to the town of nearly
four kilometers! |
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This
is a physically demanding route that requires
a high level of fitness and stamina. As with a
summer mountaineering ascent of Mont Blanc you
should be capable of running a half marathon as
a minimum. The fitter you are the more breath
you will have to enjoy the route and the views.
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You
should already be a strong off piste skier, have
previous crampon experience (Alpine PD or Scottish
Grade 1) and previous advanced ski touring experience
(several week long tours e.g. completion of Haute
Route). |
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The
maximum number of days are available for a summit
weather window. After the first day where the Guide
checks your ability, you ascend to the hut to attempt
the summit on any of the subsequent days. If the
summit is gained early then the extra days of guiding
can be used for technical ski touring or off piste
days. |
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In
the mountain huts you get a good three course
cooked meal after the efforts of each day, and
breakfast, which avoids you having to carry heavy
stoves and pans. Support and assistance from the
Icicle Course Reps is provided throughout for
logistics, advice, valley travel, equipment fitting,
and route briefings.
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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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Brief
Course Itinerary
Please
note that whilst the itinerary below is an ideal, the weather
and conditions, as well as your skills, fitness, experience
and acclimatisation all play a part too. In our decade of experience,
we have found that hardly two weeks ever run the same, and even
on a particular week sometimes different summit groups go on
different days from different huts. Whilst the itinerary notes
outline this, it is imperitive that you understand how flexible
this course must be. You are dealing with the high mountains
and extreme altitude, not a prescribed coach tour! |
| 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 |
A
day of challenging warm up off piste and some ski touring,
such as around the Grands Montets. There will be a high
focus on the mountain skills that you will require during
the week, such as crevasse rescue and avalanche transceiver
practice. A classic objective for the day would be something
such as the Pas de Chevre, perhaps via the Rectiline Couloir
start. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Tue |
There
are usually two options for the day, either a day route
such as the Col du Tour Noir or Traverse of the Vallée
Blanche, or a two day ski tour with a night in a mountain
hut (e.g. Cosmiques or Argentiere). Either option aims
to get you as hill fit and acclimatised as possible. There
is a continuing focus on mountain skills, to prepare you
for Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix
or mountain hut. |
| Wed |
Either an Alpine start from the mountain hut or a second
acclimatisation route. The aim of the day would be to
ensure you acclimatise further, and to undertake a decent
ski tour with several hours of skinning uphill. A classic
tour is into Combe Maudit and down the Vallée Blanche.
After the ski tour, you return to Chamonix to prepare
for Mont Blanc. Guiding ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix.
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| Thu |
Equipment
and bag checks before you set off to ascend up to one
of the high huts, either the Cosmiques or the Grand Mulets
hut for the night. Neither of these hut approaches takes
too long, which is intentional to rest your legs and lungs
before the Mont Blanc attempt. This day is also spare
to make a summit attempt and to stay in a mountain hut
on the descent. 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 if the conditions permit you can ski all the way from
the summit itself, though often it is better to leave
the skis at the Vallot and to continue on foot for the
last hour or so. This occurs if the top section of the
North Face is too icy. Whichever ascent route you took,
the usual descent is past the Grand Mulets route to the
Plan d'Aiguille and even right the way down to Chamonix.
Reach valley late
afternoon, celebrations in the evening. Another option
for your summit attempt is to use a helicopter drop on
the Piton des Italiens, from which it is roughly a 3 hour
ascent to the summit. At this altitude a helicopter drop
is only possible for 3 people, so the team of the guide
and two clients. Note that if you select this option,
the cost of the helicopter ride is not included, and you
would split the cost with the other client. Guiding ratio
1:2 (max). 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
full days IFMGA guiding, 1:2 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday |
£1599 |
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Live
availability
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Click
on the planner logo to the right to
see the real time live course availability
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1)
IFMGA Mountain Guides for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts
for logistics & briefings, 3) Pre course information booklet,
4) Equipment discount voucher for UK shops, 5) B&B accommodation
in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 6) Up to two nights
half board accommodation in mountain huts including three course
cooked evening meals. 8)
Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Road transport
in Chamonix valley and to and from Italy, 10) Chamonix office
support. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable cars and uplift, or
the optional helicopter ride on Mont Blanc, 3) Ski hire, 4)
Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, & any purchases
in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 5) Sunday pre-dinner
drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 6) Activities
insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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| Notes:
The
loan of all technical climbing equipment for each client is
included* in the course price as required: ice axe, 12 point
crampons, helmet, harness, ropes, ice screws, avalanche tranceiver,
avalanche probe and shovel. |
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| Upgrade
options |
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Avalanche
Skills Day
£49
(throughout the season) |
To
learn avalanche prediction, reutschblocks and use of avalanche
tranceivers. Course is available on any day during the
week (includes ARVA),
details. |
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