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FEEDBACK:
"I wasn't prepared for how contrasting
all the valleys were on this amazing route.
It was a great holiday for us"
Steve & Briony,
York, 2007
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| Course
Overview |
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In
the summer months the famous Haute Route, from Chamonix
to Zermatt, can be made on foot as most of the deep winter
snows have melted. The traverse requires no mountaineering
experience, as all the skills required are taught to you
by the leader during the week, and they are always on
hand to assist you on the more technical sections. The
summer Haute Route is essentially a high mountain trek
between Chamonix and Zermatt, but you should be an experienced
trekker, and fit to undertake this route. |
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Most
nights are spent in mountain refuges on a half board basis,
this course will really appeal to a hillwalker or a climber
who likes to get away from it all, and you can pick up
a lot of navigation and GPS tips from the guide. At each
end of the week, there is a night spent in Chamonix. |
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This
is quite a physically demanding route that requires a
good level of fitness as the trek is continuous, with
six days of trekking at altitude with a pack. Although
you do not need to be super fit, good stamina will make
it easier for you. The fitter you are the more breath
you will have to enjoy the stunning scenery along the
route. |
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You
will travel with the same leader throughout the week,
allowing them to know your strengths and adapt the itinerary
to best suit your skills and previous experience: such
as, if the group members are strong, there may be the
opportunity to ascend some small peaks along the way as
part of the route. |
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When
staying in huts you are on a half board basis. This level
of comfort is important, as you really need a good cooked
meal after the efforts of each day of trekking, and with
half-board you avoid having to carry heavy stoves, pans
and food for evening meals. The hut guardian provides
blankets and pillows, a cooked three course meal, and
a simple healthy breakfast. |
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If
you have any questions, or would like and further information,
please contact our Chamonix Office team directly, as you
can speak to an International Mountain Leader who can
answer any query that you have about the itinerary or
area. You can e-mail them on reps@icicleUK.com or call
00 33 67 55 621 55. |
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Dates: 26
June - 3 July 2010, 31
Jul - 7 August 2010, 14
- 21 August 2010
(8 days, with 6 days trekking). Extra dates can
be run on demand from June through to September for groups
of four or more people. For current availability on this
course click
here. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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Your
guarantee of the highest standards
On this course you are led by
a International Mountain Leader (IML). This is the highest
qualification for leading trekking groups in the Alps
(where it is a legal requirement) and worldwide. To
become an IML, it takes several years to train. During
the treks their focus is on your comfort, enjoyment,
education and safety, all of which are equally important.
Being
led by an IML to take you on a trek, you are hiring
far more than someone to show you the way. You will
learn about the environment, flora, fauna, glaciology,
geology, and geography of the region. The leader will
have a vast local knowledge. In terms of safety an IML
can guide you on steep
ground, on fixed equipment (ladders, chains, etc), and
over snow patches.
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Daily
Course Itinerary |
| Sat |
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 dinner. Night in Chamonix. |
| Sun |
Les
Ruinettes - Louvie. This section ascends to the
remote Louvie hut. |
Why
is our Haute Route starting near Verbier? So many
of our clients have already completed the Tour du
Mont Blanc or the Tour du Grand Combin, that the
first couple of days would be repeated. Rather than
insist on this, we offer the section of the Haute
Route that will be new to you, and the effect of
this is that you can complete this classic trek
in one week, rather than it taking up a second week
of your precious holiday time. We can arrange two
extra days guiding for those who would like to undertake
the first section from Chamonix to Verbier. |
| Mon |
Louvie
- Praz Fleury. The days involves crossing several
high passes. |
| Tue |
Praz
Fleury - Les Haudères. Then it is the beautiful
Arolla valley system. |
| Wed |
Les
Haudères - St Jean. Here you cross into the
Val d'Anniviers in the Valais. |
| Thu |
St
Jean - Grüben. Today the aim is to cross into
the Turtman valley area. |
| Fri |
Grüben
- Zermatt valley. Here the route descends into the
Zermatt valley, and you can opt to look around Zermatt
before returning to Chamonix for celebrations!
Guiding ratio 1:8 (max). Night in
Chamonix. |
| Sat |
Breakfast,
then course debrief, with feedback and questions
and answers session. Depart for home. |
| 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
Photo Gallery
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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6
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total |
£899 |
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Premium
course
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8
days guiding, 9 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£998 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) UIMLA Guide for six days, 2)
Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings, 3) Two
nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix (inc. beddings &
towels), 4) Up to five 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) 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)
Transport from Chamonix to La Ruinettes, and from Zermatt to
Chamonix, 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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Mont
Blanc Extension
from £449
(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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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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