Summer - Climbing in chamonix
“Fantastic hosting by Erin, Graham and Dawn, meant that we were extremely well looked after. Put simply, nothing was too much trouble.”
Matt NealeDirector - Clarksons
What can we say about climbing in Chamonix that has not already been said? It is a mecca, it is THE mecca of Europe. Chamonix town is at an altitude of 1048 metres above sea level. It lies at the foot of Mont Blanc which has a peak of 4810 metres above sea level. In those 3.8 kms it varies from basic rock climbing crags on the valley floor, to multi-pitch rock or ice climbs or even ascending Mont Blanc itself. Chamonix has it all.
Be it summer or winter mountaineering, whatever your ability, we can arrange a day’s activity with a mountain guide to test your metal.
Alpine (Mont Blanc)
You have run with the Bulls at Pamplona, slid on a tray down the Cresta Run and now you want to climb Mont Blanc, the highest Mountain in western Europe…
During summer, weather permitting, Mountain Guides generally recommend a minimum 4-day course to get you acclimatised and successfully to the top (and back down). Ideally they want more time to ensure the correct preparation. The most experienced Mountain Guides are booked early and space in the refuges is like everything in the summer…busy.
Maybe you are the real deal and you want to train to summit Everest. Contact us and we will put you in touch with the people who have been there, done that and are making a living out of getting other people up there.
Rock and sports climbing
Chamonix boasts 19 separate equipped crags in the valley alone with many more in the valleys nearby. For the uninitiated this means there is safety equipment in place with graded routes shown in guide books. This is merely the beginning. From here to a 35 pitch ascent of the Dru there are many days climbing in between!
We can put you in contact with the people you need to see, whatever your aim (realistic or not) or, more importantly, whatever your level (Everest or not).
Ice climbing
The challenge of climbing Chamonix's world famous ice formations and glaciers is an exhilarating experience.
Harnessed, roped and wielding crampons and ice axes under the leadership and guidance of a high mountain guide, there is plenty to learn. The feeling of walking up sheer ice is unique.
As you can imagine the first time you ice climb you wield the ice axe as if you life depends upon it and it does. However, like every alpine activity you do in Chamonix there is likely to be a world-class exponent doing the very same nearby. Albeit a little better. The first thing you notice about a great ice climber is how gentle they are with their axe. They use it as a claw not as a sledge hammer like a first timer!
