The trip

LEVEL****

Physical level:
High level of fitness required, people who train regularly in endurance sports (cycling, hiking, running, cross-country skiing, swimming) several times a week for at least 6-12 months before departure. Minimum preparation is for example, twice a week, one hour of jogging (10km/h) and once a week an endurance sport for several hours.

Good fitness is vital to appreciate this tour. Please arrive well-rested and prepared for this mountain   tour to maximise your enjoyment of reaching a 4000m peak!

Technical level:
No particular difficulty, mainly walking on snow. An initiation of walking in crampons on snow will be given along with walking with a rope, however it is essential to have a habit of walking (off-trail) in the mountains with a backpack of several kilos. Accessible to good walkers who have walked up above 3000m and used to walking 8 hours a day.

GUIDING

A qualified high mountain guide per four people for the duration of the tour.
The guide may modify the itinerary at any time or cancel the tour for a participant who does not have the required level for their own safety and that of the group. In this case, the participant cannot claim any refund. In the event of very bad weather and always to ensure the safety of the participants, the tour may be cancelled. In this case, we will examine the reimbursement requests according to the number of days spent on the tour.

ACCOMMODATION

2 nights half-board accommodation in a refuge dormitory, blankets provided, *bed linen and towels are NOT provided, you must carry your own lightweight sleeping sheet, shared bathroom *no shower. Possibility to dry wet clothes in a drying room. For your personal purchases, credit cards are not accepted, cash only.

MEALS

Breakfasts and dinners are provided in the refuge.  
Picnics are not included. Possibility to order them at the refuge or have lunch thereon your return from Grand Paradis ascent.

MAPS

1/25000 Val Savarenche-Val de Rhême-Val Grisenche N102
Edition Instituto Geografico Centrale

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meet Wednesday at 11:00am at Pont Valsavarenche.
Return transfer from Chamonix to Pont possible: contact us.
Please note: the tunnel can be very busy in summer. Allow extra time if you need to book a bus or train from Chamonix.

BY CAR
VIA THE MONT BLANC TUNNEL
Take the A40 motorway towards Chamonix, follow signs for Milan and take the Mont-Blanc Tunnel to Italy (51.50€ on way / 64.20€  return) www.atmb.net
Follow signs for Courmayeur/Aosta (signed blue), then direction Introd and Valsavarenche, 3kms after the village Aviez continue to to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.

VIA THE COL DU PETIT ST BERNARD
From the southern regions of France take the A43 motorway to Chambéry, the A30 to Albertville and follow direction Bourg St Maurice. Follow signs to Col du Petit St Bernard and Italy (a very good mountain road) passing through La Thuile to Pré St Didier. Follow signs for Aosta (signed blue), then direction Introd and Valsavarenche, 3kms after the village Aviez continue to to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.

BY TRAIN/BUS
Arrival by train in Chamonix. Then take 3 successive buses to get to Pont/ Valsavarenche:
Bus Chamonix – Courmayeur
Bus Courmayeur – Villeneuve
Bus Villeneuve – Valsavarenche (Pont)

End point Friday in the afternoon in Pont, Valsavarenche.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

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

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Fleece or jumper
• Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket
• Warm down or synthetic fibre jacket
• Waterproof Gore-Tex over trousers (simple and light)
• Gaiters
• Pair of mountaineering gloves, pair of lightweight fleece or wool gloves
• Sun hat or baseball cap + warm headband + warm hat 
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Trail type running shoes for the climb to the first refuge (and especially much appreciated for the descent!) 
• Mountaineering boots warm and suitable for use with crampons

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag with the bare minimum
• Small quick drying towel
• Glacier sunglasses with side protection, level 3-4 lenses
• Ski mask (in case of bad weather or strong winds)
• Sun cream factor +50
• Water bottle (size depending on how much you normally drink) *warning Camelback style water bags can freeze!
• Flask (size depending on how much you normally drink)
• Multi use knife (always useful)
• Small First Aid kit (vitamin C, antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads, etc...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch, spare batteries or recharge cable, replacement bulbs
• Sleeping bag liner sheet (blankets provided at refuge)
• Identity card or passport

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

• Comfortabe 40-50 litre backpack
• Ice axe (adapted to your size) (provided)
• Pair of telescopic walking poles
• Pair of crampons already adjusted + must be "antibott" system (to stop the snow sticking) (provided)
• Climbing harness (provided)
• Climbing safety carabiner
• Lightweight climbing helmet (provided)

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

You will be carrying your own kit and snack supplies for several days (avoid anything unnecessary). 

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point clearly marked with a name tag and it will be deposited at the end of your stay.