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Aiguille
Verte, Whymper Couloir
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PHOTO:
Les Drus and the Aiguille Verte behind, in a covering of winter
snow.
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FEEDBACK:
"A big thank you to everyone who helped me realise
this summit. It took a year of
prepararation and training for me, but you guys made it happen"
Debbie S, London, 2003
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| Course
Overview |
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The
Verte is described as “slender, snow-glittering form
hanging ethereally above the gothic rock splendour of
its satellite the Dru” in Goedeke’s Alpine book,
and yet even this does no justice to the might and elegance
of this mountain. The peak was first ascended by Edward
Whymper in 1865, and is classified as the Alpine summit
that turns you from a climber into a true mountaineer.
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This
week trains and acclimatises you, before taking the best
weather window for the ascent. We only offer this course
between mid June and mid July each Summer, as the conditions
are at their best in the Whymper Couloir at this time. |
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The
itinerary for this course (and all our advanced level
courses) is deliberately flexible to take advantage of
the best weather window and conditions, as the key focus
of the week is the ascent of the Aiguille Verte. There
are two route options to reach the summit, the Moine ridge
which is a long mixed arete, or the Whmper couloir which
after an initial mixed section is all on snow and ice.
The exact route can often not be decided upon until you
reach the Couvercle mountain hut, as the couloir is only
in safe conditions after a series of cold and clear nights.
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Both
routes require very early starts, often around midnight,
to get the best conditions on the route, and to minimise
the risks from stonefall. This course includes five days
of 1:1 Guiding, so you are really able to benefit from
pushing yourself to the limits of your abilities, and
you will learn loads. The summit of the Verte is all on
snow, and you normally arrive at the top around six or
seven in the morning. From here the view across to the
rest of the Mont Blanc massif is amazing, as the Verte
is so high a satellite peak, and is split from the main
Mont Blanc group by the Vallee Blanche and Mer de Glace
glacier systems. |
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Dates: Run on demand from June through
to August. For current availability on this course click
here. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course
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5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£1999 |
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Premium
course
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7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation
weekend)
LINK |
£2198 |
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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
Chamonix valley and to / from Tasch, 8) One night
half board in mountain hut (inc. costs for guides),
9) Evening technical instruction on nights 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 uplift
for you and your guide (cable cars for guide included
in Chamonix), 5) Transport / tunnel ticket outside
the Chamonix valley, 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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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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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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