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Chamonix
Ice & Gullies 2011
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PHOTOS:
Ice climbing on Deferlante, far above the Argentiere Glacier
icefalls
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FEEDBACK:
"A brilliant week, with superb routes every day.
Could not have believed how much I improved,
and I was so glad not to have Scottish style walk ins that
waste half of the day" George J, Exeter, 2004
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| Course
Overview |
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This
course gives you the chance to climb some of the best
ice or Alpine routes in winter. If you want to devote
every daylight hour to climbing some of the best ice that
Europe has on offer, this course is the one for you. |
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To
join this course you should have some previous experience
of ice climbing such as a summer or winter intro level
course, so you are competant with basic ropework and the
use of ice axe and crampons. |
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The
course is aimed at those looking to develop their ice
climbing, on routes graded between Grade II to IV ice,
or Alpine routes graded at PD / AD level.
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During
the week you have many route options, from long multi-pitch
waterfall ice or gully routes, to shorter more technical
routes. You also have the opportunity to learn to lead
on ice. |
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Chamonix valley has over 300 icefalls, and within an hours
drive you can reach an additional 1000 icefalls in Italy
or Switzerland. A competitor wrote in a newsletter that
they "made the best of some thin conditions",
which is laughable as there is always good ice in the
Alps. It is just a case of knowing where to find it! |
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Dates: 16
- 22 January 2011, 30 Jan - 5 Feb 2011, 27 Feb - 5 March
2011, 20 - 26 March 2011
(this last date is for altitude ice and gullies only).
For latest availability on this course click
here. |
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The
course at a glance... |
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Week long ice course, run during winter. Price £999pp,
includes accommodation. |
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Basic ice climbing experience necessary. Avalanche safety
kit is included. |
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Top tip... for beginners to ice climbing, look at the
Winter
Intro Ice & Alpine
at £799. |
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You could also consider week long... Val
de Cogne / La Grave or
Off
Piste Clinic |
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Course
Photo &
Video Gallery
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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 20:00 and the Chamonix hosts accompany the
group to pre-dinner
drinks to answer any queries
. Night in Chamonix. |
| Mon |
A
day to refresh your ice climbing skills on valley waterfall
ice, such as on Cremerie icefalls. Also a chance to practice
placing ice screws, building anchors and leading. Guiding
ratio 1:2 (max). Night in Chamonix. |
| Tue |
Small
guiding ratios (1:2 max) for the next four days allow
you to do technical multi-pitch ice climbing or gullies.
Popular climbs include Deferlante, EMHM and Cascade du
Tour. Night spent in Chamonix. |
| Wed |
Small
guiding ratios (1:2 max),
either for more ice climbing or a mountaineering route,
such as the Arete des Cosmiques on Aiguille du Midi or
the Petite Aiguille Verte.
Night spent in Chamonix. |
| Thu |
Small
guiding ratios (1:2 max), either for more ice climbing
such as Mini Couloir or Frigor, or for an altitude gully
routes such as Couloir Chevalier or Micro Couloir (Col
des Montets). Night spent in Chamonix. |
| Fri |
Small
guiding ratios (1:2 max),
either for more ice
climbing such as Reposoir or Chatelard, or
for an altitude gully routes such as Chere Couloir or
Cascade Cosmiques.
Night spent 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 |
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Standard
course
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5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£999 |
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Premium
course
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7
days guiding, 8 days holiday in total
(Standard course plus Acclimatisation weekend)
LINK |
£1098 |
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Secure
online booking system |
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| Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide for five
days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics & briefings,
3) Pre course information booklet, 4) Equipment discount voucher
for UK shops, 5) Six nights B&B accommodation in Chamonix
(inc. bedding & towels), 6) Free 36 page technical Course
Instruction Booklet, 7) Road transport in Chamonix valley, 8)
Chamonix office support and evening instruction. |
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| Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Cable Cars (approx £30),
3) Transport / tunnel ticket outside Chamonix valley 4) Equipment
hire, 4) Personal laundry, telephone calls, lunches, evening
meals, & any purchases in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants,
6) Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges. |
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| Notes:
The
loan of all avalanche safety kit is included (avalanche tranceiver,
avalanche probe and shovel). |
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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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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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