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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So
why choose Icicle? |
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We
are true specialists in providing this
activity. See our blog, by clicking
on the logo (right). |
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Itinerary
flexibility to allow you to take full
advantage of the weather and conditions
each day, so that you maximise the amount
of time spent in the mountains. |
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Our
prices are fixed in £ pounds sterling,
to protect you from euro currency fluctuations,
so that you can budget accurately. |
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We
have a team of over 30 guides, and a
resort support team, who all want you
to have the best holiday possible! For
more details on the guiding team and
qualifications, please click
here. |
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Course
Photo Gallery
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| Course
Prices |
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Standard
course |
5
days guiding, 7 days holiday in total |
£2999 |
Live
availability |
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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Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain
Guide for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for
logistics & briefings, 3) Self-catered 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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Course
upgrade options
Many clients on this
trip consider upgrading with one or more of
the following course additions... |
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Private
room |
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Big
5 Alpine
extensions |
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Technical
kit rental |
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Acclimatise
weekend |
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Upgrade
to single from
£300-£500 in addition to
standard course price,
depending on week. |
Extend by 2 days after
to ascend one of the
Big 5 Alpine peaks as
an extra summit. |
Rent all technical kit
for a week. Full Alpine
Bundle costs you just
£100 for the week. |
Saturday
night spent in
Chamonix, with choice
of self-guided or guided
on Sunday. From £70. |
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Click
for details |
Click
for details |
Click
for details |
Click
for details |
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Standard
course accommodation - normally clients are based
in self-catered flats (details),
so take a look, and decide if it's for you. For
more luxury, contact us for quotes in higher standard
apartments, or hotels of any standard required.
If you have / source your own course accommodation,
or we cannot provide an upgrade, the standard course
price has a £100pp reduction applied on your
invoice. |
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