"High alpine rock climbs offer the ambiance and scenery of traditional alpine routes, but with the emphasis on technical climbing rather than long hours of leg work! So if you fancy climbing 50 pitches of perfect granite in a week, then this is definitely the trip for you."
A week of high alpine rock climbing in the French, Italian and Swiss Alps. We usually start the week with a day or two climbing in the Mont Blanc range, before venturing further afield to explore other areas in France, Switzerland and Italy.
We offer this itinerary as a private guiding special - with dates by arrangement from mid June to mid Sept. Prices are as per our private guiding rates, up to a maximum of 2 climbers per guide.
Course Base
We start and finish the week in Chamonix, but may be climbing in other areas during the week.
Sample Itinerary
Subject to weather and conditions, we follow the general format below:
Day 0 - Sat
PM, meet in Chamonix - discuss plans, sort equipment and overnight in valley.
Day 1 - Sun
Acclimatisation Climb. Ascent of a high quality alpine rock route in the Aiguilles Rouges, to acclimatise and brush up on alpine skills.
Days 2 - 6 Mon - Fri
Alpine Rock Climbing. A varied and challenging week of climbing tailored to your ability and ambitions.
Typically we climb in the Mont Blanc range at the start of the week, before heading off to Switzerland or Italy to explore new areas.
Our guides select the best routes and climbing regions to visit in light of the current weather conditions, your interests and ability. If you have a particular route or objectives in mind for the week, then please discuss this with us before you book, so we can advise further on conditions and the best time to plan a trip.
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. For example, the following routes would come into this category:
Grand Capucin - Voie Des Suisses
MB de Tacul - Gervasutti Pillar
Salbitschen - West Grat
Routes on the Drus, Grand and Petit Jorrasses
If you have a particular big objective in mind, then please contact us for a quote so we can discuss the route 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
Chamonix is easily reached by flights to Geneva and an airport transfer, both of which are bookable online.
Ability and Experience
You need previous multipitch rock climbing experience at French 5 (British VS) or higher in order to get the most out of this week. Some previous alpine experience is useful, but not essential - as relevant skills can be taught at the start of the week. Good levels of fitness are required as typical routes involve 4-6 hours climbing each day (see fitness level 2-3) so we advise you to prepare well in advance with regular training and climbing.
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.
