Friday, August 31, 2007

Emergency Contact Details

Most of us have mobiles with us. We are travelling with KE Adventures and are staying at the Yeti Lodge.

Itinerary

  • 01 Sep 07 Rendezvous at the group's chalet in Argentiere in the Chamonix Valley. The guide will chat about the days ahead and check out your equipment before dinner.
  • 02 Sep 07 We take the train from Chamonix to the Mer de Glace, where we practice using our ice-axe and crampons. Return to Chamonix on the railway, and back to the chalet.
  • 03 Sep 07 Taking the cable car from Le Tour to the Col de Balme, we walk to the Albert Premier Hut (2707m) and have a further opportunity to practice snow and ice skills.
  • 04 Sep 07 After an early start, we climb the Aguille du Tour (3542m) for views which extend all the way to the Matterhorn. We descend back to the valley and to our Chalet in Argentiere.
  • 05 Sep 07 We take the Aiguille Midi cable car to the Aiguille Midi (3800m). Cross the Vallee Blanche to Hellbronner, return by cable car to Chamonix.
  • 06 Sep 07 Climbing Mont Blanc, we can tackle either the 'Normal Route,' via the Dome du Gouter, or the longer 'Traverse Route' via Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. Overnight in a hut on either route.
  • 07 Sep 07 An early start for the ascent to Mont Blanc's summit (4807m). Mostly open snow-slope climbing on either route. Return via the 'Normal Route' to the valley. Chalet.
  • 08 Sep 07 Services (?!) end after breakfast.

Too late to do anything about it now

We are off tomorrow morning, meeting up in Chamonix mid afternoon to discover if we have anything like the right kit and to see who is the least fit.

Training is over. The half marathon never happened, nor did the training weekend. Fortunately we can always claim that it was the altitude.