These 3 days (or longer) climbing trips are held in the Mt Blanc range of the French Alps. The trips will consist of rock, ice, and mountain climbing providing the perfect introduction to alpine mountaineering and an experience not to be forgotten.
Chamonix offers some of the finest climbing in the world. Chamonix granite is legendary and the snow and ice climbs in the high mountains are world class. The Gaillands crag area just outside of town is very convenient for day rock climbs with Mt Blanc and the Aiguilles as a backdrop. High country glaciers provide easily accessible ice climbing practice and the telepherique station on the edge of town offers quick access to the high mountains.
Chamonix village is a charming mountain town with a delightful mix of traditional Savoyard and modern alpine cultures. Alpine shops, modern restaurants, comfortable hotels, and cobblestone streets with sidewalk cafes in the shadow of the Aiguilles help to create a unique mountaineering atmosphere.
The mountain refuges are small hotels perched in outrageous settings where you can get meals, drinks, and lodging.
Our trips include climbing on rock, ice, or both in an alpine setting. For beginners wishing instruction, it is our goal to develop all modern alpine climbing skills. Route finding and planning the climb are the first order of business for each day. Rock climbing techniques such as belaying, rappelling, moving on rock, and anchor placement will be put into practice. Steep ice climbing with hand tools and crampons will be taught along with ice anchor placement. Glacier travel and snow climbing situations will be encountered with practice in using the rope for traversing crevassed areas. The structure of mountain glaciers will be seen up close and personal. Avalanche awareness will be developed along with an understanding of mountain weather. Safety will be emphasized at all times. It is our belief that the hazards of climbing in the mountains can be controlled with proper training, a safe attitude, and respect for the mountain environment.
Some nights will be spent in Chamonix, at other times we will stay in mountain refuges.
We supply all group technical climbing equipment; ropes, hardware, etc.
Personal climbing gear such as harness, belay device, and nut tool will be provided if needed.
Personal equipment client must bring includes rock climbing shoes, helmet, climbing day pack, crampon compatible mountaineering boots, crampons, and ice axe. We can make suggestions if you need to purchase any of these items. Crampons, mountaineering boots, rock climbing shoes, and ice axe can be rented in Chamonix. Any items can be purchased as needed in Chamonix in the excellent mountain equipment shops.
Clothing for the Alps should include rugged, loose-fitting pants, polyester undershirt, light fleece shirt (or equivalent), cap, fleece gloves, warm fleece pullover (or equivalent), and Gore- Tex (or equivalent) jacket.
Other recommended items include sun glasses, sun screen, camera and film, and water bottle.
Schedule will be planned to suit clients' abilities and wishes. The trip can be an excellent introduction to alpine climbing or it can focus on making ascents. It is up to you.
We meet in Chamonix. Rock climbing and instruction will take place in the Gaillands crag area or the Tour Rouges. The Gaillands crags can be reached by a pleasant 30 minute walk from town. The rock is very good with crisp holds and steep, well-protected practice routes at every level of difficulty. This area is great for instruction or warming up for experienced rock climbers. The entire panorama of the Mt. Blanc range is spread out before you. The Tour Rouges are the peaks on the north side of the valley and provide wonderful day climbs. Beginners will learn climbing safety, rope handling, top rope belaying, communication, rappelling, rappel self rescue, leader belaying. and moving on rock. They will practice climbing on routes rated for novices. More experienced rock climbers will tune up on climbs selected to suit their experience and ability level.
ROCK CLIMBING. Further rock climbing will take place in the Chamonix Aiguilles, the imposing towers on the south side of the valley. Experienced climbers will test their skills on some of the finest Chamonix granite.
ICE CLIMBING. Ice climbing practice will be held on the Mer de Glace (reached by the train from Chamonix to Montenvers), the Petite Verte area (reached by the telepherique to the Montet), or the areas on Mt Blanc du Tacul (reached by telepherique to the summit of the Midi), a spectacular peak in the Aiguilles. We descend the East Ridge on crampons. This descent, although technically quite easy is very exciting and an experience not to be missed. Ice climbing instruction and practice snow and ice climbing will be held on the glacier, a perfect setting for instruction in all basic snow and ice techniques. Moving on snow and ice, avalanche awareness, mountain weather, self arrest, and basic tool use will be covered. Everything taught will be put into practice again on subsequent days. We may spend the night in the Cosmiques refuge, a small alpine hotel perched on an outcrop between the Aiguille du Midi and Mt Blanc du Tacul. The refuge offers beds and excellent meals.
CLIMBS. We will select climbs appropriate to the experience and skill levels of the clients. The north face of the Tacul is a good example. This moderate snow climb is the perfect setting for improving your alpine ice climbing technique. Ice axe and crampons are required for the climb. The climb ends on a wonderful summit with spectacular views. The Cosmiques Arete to summit of Aiguille du Midi is another. This climb is a Chamonix classic and is described in Gaston Rebuffat's book The Mont Blanc Massif (the 100 Finest Routes). It is frequently the culmination of the course and requires the use of all rock and ice climbing techniques you have learned. The setting is magnificent with the Vallee Blanche and Mt Blanc in the background.
Notes:
Single booking: 3 days - $750 Additional days - $200 per day
Multiple booking: 3 days - $600 each person Additional days - $150 each person per day
Price includes all guide fees. Clients pay for their own room, board, and telepherique tickets (when needed).
Early registration is suggested. Confirmation will be made upon receipt of a deposit of $200 per person. This deposit will be refunded less a 10% handling fee if client cancels no later than two weeks prior to the trip.
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