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Mont Blanc Ski | ||||||
Dates: 28 Apr-2 May Price: £1000 Level: 1:4, then 1:2 | ||||||
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Skiing Mt Blanc is an ultimate backcountry experience - picture standing on the top of western europe's highest mountain with at least 2500m of descent just waiting... Our 6 day programme involves plenty of quality descents and day tours to acclimatise and prepare for the main event. During this time we will spending a night in a high mountain hut. We will teach avalanche transciever use and the necessary crampon/ice axe techniques during the week. We have a choice of descent route according skiing ability, but most commonly we will ski the Grand Mulet route. Weather allowing, we use a helicopter drop to within 4-5hrs climb from the summit - this will help save our legs for the epic descent from 4810m! Please note the whole itinerary is very condition and weather dependant, and so may need to changed at the last minute. If the helicopter can't fly we will climb the whole way, with a night in a hut beforehand. Included in the price: guides fees and expenses, upto 2 nights half board accomodation in mountain huts, travel during the week. Not included in the price: Travel to and from Chamonix at the start/end of trip, accomodation in Chamonix, equipment rental, insurance, lunches and drinks, any skilift tickets, helicopter flight (this is very weather dependant). Meet: We meet Saturday evening (day 0) at 6pm in Chamonix to deal with any equipment rental and run through the plan for the week. We return to Chamonix Friday afternoon and recommend you book your return flight on Saturday morning. | Kit List skis with touring bindings - we reccommend skis that you will enjoy skiing on, but are not too heavy, eg Rossignol B2 with fritschi bindings. With skins and ski crampons. Poles - NOT collapsable Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! 'Fit' is more important than whether a boot is 'stiff enough' or not. I use a touring boot that is designed to ski well, rather than ultra light. Rucksack - 40-50l. with ski straps Waterbottle - not platypus type - they freeze and leak. Transciever, probe, shovel, crampons, ice axe, harness, 1 screw gate karabiner, head torch 2 pairs sunglasses, goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/block 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops Lightweight goretex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves (when skinning) Insulating layers. I use a thin '100' weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket (thin). Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix. | |||||
What to expect from mountain huts They are basic but comfortable. They can cater for vegetarians. Food is usually on a set menu basis (3 course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast). Often there is no running water and so you have to buy water to drink and wash with (no showers). You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping arrangements are normally dormitory style bunkbeds (eg 6 people on the bottom, 6 on the top) with blankets or duvets. There is certain 'hut etiquette'. On arrival we leave our boots and metal ware in the entrance bootroom before going inside. Huts can be economical on space, and so staying tidy helps everyone! In the morning, breakfast will be early. We need to make sure the bedrooms are left as we found them (no rubbish, blankets/duvets folded). You can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view! See links page for Chamonix accomodation and airport transfers from Geneva. | ||||||
Typical Itinerary Day1 - a warm up day of classic offpiste skiing and transciever training Day2 - col du Passon day tour - a classic with over 2000m of descent for about 2.5 hours uphill Day3 - ski across the Vallee Blanche for a run into Italy and return to overnight in the Cosmiques hut. About 2.5hrs uphill Day4 - climb and ski Mt Blanc du Tacul 4135m (about 4hrs uphill). Return to Chamonix. Day5- ski the grand Envers du Plan from the Aiguille du Midi. Overnight in the Chamonix. A restful day. Day6 - ski Mont Blanc! | ||||||
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