"A week of one on one guiding with our core team, concentrating on ascents of the big classics of the Alps. If you have a dream, with the fitness and ability to match - then this could be the year to make it happen."
Experience: You should have good quality alpine experience, appropriate to the chosen objective and be capable of climbing quickly on technical terrain for the whole day.
Included:Guiding Fees and Expenses.
Other Costs:Accommodation, food, travel and uplift ~ £450
The aim is to climb classic routes in the AD to TD- range, but we are also able to extend this to attempt routes as hard as your ability, inclination and conditions will allow.
A lot of time and effort goes into planning these weeks, as we discuss ideas with each client to suggest dates for particular routes and inspiring alternatives should conditions dictate a change of plan.
We usually start and finish the week in Chamonix, but may be climbing anywhere in the Alps during the week, so if appropriate we can also meet elsewhere.
On these specialist weeks, it is also possible to climb longer more involved routes, beyond the scope of our normal itinerary - for which premium guiding rates apply (paid as a supplement, on a per route basis). As a guideline these apply to routes that involve one of the following: more than a 10-12hr day, bivouacs, over 500m long, TD or above. Examples would include:
The Hardest Ridges: West Ridge of Salbitschen...
The Hardest Faces:
S Face La Meije, NE Face Piz Badile, N or W Faces Le Dru, Grand/Petite Jorrasses....
The Hardest Traverses:
Grand Jorrasses, Dom-Taschorn, Les Drus.....
If you have a particular big objective in mind, then please contact us for a quote so we can discuss the route, best time of year and conditions with you in more detail.
Food and Accommodation
We run all of our courses on a guiding & instruction only basis. Food and accommodation must be paid for seperately. Our recommended accommodation in the Chamonix valley is Ice and Orange - Chalet Tissières, who we will happily put you in touch with if you'd like to reserve a room. You are however free to make other accommodation arrangements if you choose (for a full hotel service, Hotel Les Lanchers in Chamonix Les Praz is another good option - Chamonix has numerous other hotels and rental apartments available at a wide variety of prices - click on 'reservation' at the Chamonix website for more details).
Travel
Full travel details are provided with your joining instructions. If meeting in Chamonix, the resort is easily reached by flights to Geneva and an airport transfer, both of which are bookable online.
Ability and Experience
You should have good quality alpine experience, appropriate to the chosen objective and be capable of climbing quickly on technical terrain for the whole day. High levels of climbing fitness are usually required for this week, as typical routes may involve 8-12 hours on difficult terrain each day. (see fitness level 3-5) so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular training and climbing.
Acclimatisation
Due to the nature and altitude of our objectives, pre acclimatisation for a week like this is highly recommended.
Equipment
We will supply you with a full kit list. All communal safety equipment (ropes etc) is provided by us. You are expected to come equiped with personal clothing and climbing equipment. For the more technical items (ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet, boots etc) local equipment hire is also available.
