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| Course
overview |
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Course
dates & availability |
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To
ascend the Matterhorn in winter is a special achievement
for any mountaineer, and it takes the best of our
Guides to take you safely to the summit. |
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You
need excellent stamina and fitness and a high level
of previous mountaineering skill, Alpine D/TD, rock
climbs at VI, Scottish Grade V ice. It should appeal
to those who have attended a 1:1 Advanced or ''Ultimate
Ice' course or those who have climbed major peaks
such as Denali or Ama Dablam. |
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In
winter conditions we always use the Hornli ridge
of the Matterhorn. This is because it has a hut
at the base (Berghaus HornliHutte) and a hut at
two thirds height; the Solvay Refuge. These huts
provide much needed shelter from the snow and wind
on a winter ascent The descent is usually by the
East Face. |
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This
is true mountaineering, and your stamina and resolve
are pushed to the limits as you ascend through the
deep snow carrying your belongings with you. It
is normal to be the only group on the mountain. |
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Those
who have reached the summit of the Matterhorn in
winter have cast iron determination, skill and desire.
It is a very special experience, reserved for the
few. If this note seems a deterant for you, then
please consider another course, though if these
comments present a challenge, please contact us
for further information. |
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On
demand: if
no scheduled course dates are showing in the column
on the right, we can still operate a course on demand
for just one person booking, on any dates that suit
from January through until the end of April, arriving
Sunday and departing Saturday. |
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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
Photo 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 |
This
is your first of five days of 1:1 guiding, for to increase
your acclimatisation on an Alpine route in winter conditions
such as Contamine Grisole, or Goulotte Cosmiques. Night
in Chamonix. |
| Tue |
Travel
over to Zermatt and ascend to the Hornli mountain hut.
When there is a lot of snow this can take a long time,
and you sleep in the winter room of the Hornlihutte to
rest before the climb. |
| Wed |
An
early start from the Hornli hut to ascend to the Solvay
bivouac hut (located between the two steepest sections
on the route). Night in Solvay hut. Here you are poised
for your summit bid. |
| Thu |
Ascent from the Solvay hut to the summit of the Matterhorn.
Descend back to the Solvay hut for the night. This is
a long day on the most exposed and highest section of
the Matterhorn route. |
| Fri |
Complete
the descent from the Solvay hut to the Hornli hut, then
return to Zermatt. Return to Chamonix for the night. After
the last five days of climbing you have earnt yourself
a few beers! |
| Sat |
Breakfast
then the accommodation check out is by 10:00. Most arrange
their transfers for around this time for a flight from
Geneva about midday. |
| 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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1:1
ratio course
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5
full days IFMGA guiding, 1:1 max ratio
7 days holiday in total, Sunday-Saturday |
£2499 |
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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 Guide for five
days, 2) Transport costs to and from Zermatt, 3) Chamonix course
hosts for logistics & briefings, 4) Six nights B&B accommodation
in Chamonix (inc. bedding & towels), 5) Equipment discount
voucher for UK shops, 6) Pre course information booklet, 7)
Free 36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 8) Road transport
in Chamonix valley, 9) 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 (except
to / from Zermatt), 4) Equipment hire, 4) Personal laundry,
telephone calls, lunches, evening meals, & any purchases
in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 6) Sunday pre-dinner
drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 7) 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). Also included is the bivouac bag,
stove, pans & utensils for accommodation on the mountain. |
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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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