The trip

LEVEL ****

Physical level :
Used to outdoor sports. Regular practice of endurance sports (cross-country skiing or hiking, running, swimming). Otherwise, 3 times a week, do 1 hour of jogging, 2 to 3 months before the departure (10 km/h). 

Technical level :
Learning basic mountaineering techniques, mainly in snow and ice. Easy routes. In the vertical world of the via ferrata, you will belay along the cables.

As a prerequisite for all our discovery trips, such as glacier trekking, or for learning mountaineering, you need to be a good hiker, including off-piste, and be used to walking 8 hours a day. A sporty background is recommended and a taste for effort is essential. It is necessary to be well rested and fit for any high mountain tour.

Number of participants
4 to 6 participants with a mountain guide.

ACCOMMODATION

5 nights in a refuge in dormitory.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are served in the accommodation.
Picnics and lunches are provided on site.

CARTOGRAPHY

- Map of the Swiss Office of Topography at 1/50.000e n° 283 "Arolla".
- IGN map at 1:25,000 - Mt Blanc Massif

Practical information

ACCESS TO THE STARTING POINT

Meeting point at 1.30 pm at the Tour village, at the end of the Chamonix Valley, large free car park

BY CAR
Motorway A40 to Chamonix, then follow the main road to Argentière and Switzerland to the village of Montroc (1km after Argentière).
There is a large car park at the meeting point in the Tour village 1km away.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered car park: Chamonix Park auto in Chamonix: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
In order to plan your journey, we advise you to get information about your itinerary from the different websites: 
www.viamichelin.fr
www.mappy.fr

BY TRAIN
PARIS - ST GERVAIS then take the train to Chamonix from Saint-Gervais les Bains and get off at the Montroc stop.
https://www.oui.sncf/
Return journey: Train Zermatt/Chamonix - arrival in Chamonix around 8pm.

END OF STAY

In Zermatt in the afternoon.
To leave Zermatt and reach Täsch, it is possible to take the train (about 5€ per person). The return journey from Täsch to Chamonix can be booked as an extra, to be booked before leaving and paid directly on site: 90€ per person.
For this trip, the train costs around 80€ (for a duration of 3-4h with 1 or 2 changes instead of 2h by private minibus).         

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER THE TRIP

Chalet Alpin du Tour: +33 (0)4 50 54 04 16
Chamonix - Hôtel de l'Arve: +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31
Vallée Blanche Hotel: +33 (0)4 50 53 04 50
Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24
www.chamonix.com

TO CONTACT US

If you are late, contact the agency +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07.

Equipment & luggage

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

Clothing

• 1 pair of warm gloves
• 1 pair of light gloves made of polar fur or wool
• 1 hat or cap + scarf 
• 2 short-sleeved T-shirts => avoid cotton, which takes a long time to dry; prefer Capilene (Patagonia), Dryflo (Lowe Alpine), Light Effect (Odlo) etc...
• 2 undershirts (same as above)
• 1 pair of tights
• 1 warm jacket in "polar fibre" such as Polartec 200, Windstopper, Windpro or wool jumper.
• 1 waterproof and windproof jacket such as Goretex or equivalent. A ski jacket can be used as well.
• 1 pair of waterproof and windproof mountain trousers (Goretex or equivalent), ski trousers can be used
• 1 pair of warm, cramponable mountain boots in good condition
• 2 or 3 pairs of mountain socks; avoid cotton => long to dry + high risk of blisters; prefer Coolmax socks for example.
• 1 pair of gaiters
• 1 very warm down jacket or 2nd warm jacket is recommended!

Other equipment

• 1 pair of glacier goggles (with side shields) protection level 4
• 1 ski mask (in case of bad weather or strong wind), preferably with a clear screen
• 1 headlamp + new batteries
• 1 multi-purpose knife
• 1 thermos flask (capacity according to your consumption) or insulated water bottle + 1 water bottle or a large solid bottle
• Light toiletries
• Warmers for those who want them
• Anti-noise earplugs
• Camera and charger (charging is often possible in the refuge)
• Valid identity card or passport

Technical equipment

1 x 40/50 litre rucksack with ice axe attachment.
1 classic ice axe, not too short
1 pair of telescopic or folding poles
1 pair of pre-set crampons + compulsory "anti-snow" system (to prevent the snow from sticking)
1 harness that can be put on (preferably) without having to put it on 
1 light mountaineering helmet
2 safety carabiners

LUGGAGE TRANSPORT

Carrying personal belongings (avoid excess) and food for several days.

If you extend your holiday, we can take care of your extra luggage at the start of the hike, labelled with your name, which will be returned to you at the end of your stay.