Activity file

COMPAGNIE DES GUIDES DE CHAMONIX
www.chamonix-guides.com - e-mail : [email protected]
190 Place de l’église 74400 CHAMONIX FRANCE - TEL + 33 (0)4.50.53.00.88
Meije climbing course – Traversee route
5 to 6 days
“No matter how many times one has climbed the Meije peak, first time summiters, local climbers, and frequent
visitors altogether, regard it as the most scenic climb in the Oisans massif …Happiness of ”the moment” arises as
one reaches the summit of Grand Pic, and marvels at the view of successive rocky arêtes…“
Gaston Rébuffat
Gaston Rébuffat was a talented mountain guide, an extremely skilled mountaineer who knew the Meije like nobody
else. He is the author of two books named “100 great classic climbs“ of the Oisans and the Mont Blanc massifs.
From the village of La Grave, one looks at the Meije arêtes with intimidation. The very glaciated North face is very
steep. It hides a much more welcoming side… The climb up the Enfetchores leads to a keyhole passage, and to a
totally different world, sunny with hardly any glacier. Located at the start of the arête, the Promontoire (“look-out
point”) hut offers a magnificent view. As the most southern great peak in the Alps, the summit of the Meije was
last to be conquered. After numerous attempts by mountaineers from all nationalities, the successful first ascent
was achieved by Pierre Gaspard and his son, guiding Boileau de Castelnau to the summit in 1877, Today’s normal
route up the Meije, usually combines the traverse of the arêtes, and follows across to the summit of Doigt de Dieu
peak (“Gods finger”, 3973m). Tired and happy, mountaineers enjoy a rest at the 100 year-old Aigle mountain hut
(3450m), in a comfortable bed after a rewarding meal. The following day is spent descending back down to the
valley and Villars d’Arène.
Climb presentation - Traversee route :
Starting Point : Vallons de la Meije Gondola in the village of La Grave.
This long sustained and mainly rocky climb includes many grade 4 rock climbing sections.
It is one of the most aesthetic lines in the Alps.
Technical difficulty: requires to be in good physical shape and a solid mountaineering experience is necessary.
Experience in AD+ climbing difficulty. The use of crampons is advised.
Itinerary
DAY 1: Meeting the party and the guide
Review mountaineering basics and rope handling on a local crag.
Later in the afternoon, hike to hut and stay overnight.
2 persons/guide
DAY 2: Easy adaptation climb
Rock climbing route : application of the mountaineering basics on a high mountain terrain
For example : Arête Midi-Plan
1 person/guide
DAY 3: Technical adaptation climb
For example :Chapelle de la Glière
1 person/guide
COMPAGNIE DES GUIDES DE CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC, 190, place de l’église 74 400 CHAMONIX ; www.chamonix-guides.com
SAS au capital social de 364 400€ - R.C.S Annecy - SIRET 448 519 306 00014 - Code APE 7911 Z
TVA intercommunautaire FR 23 446 519 306 - Immatriculation ATOUT France IM074 150011
Responsabilité civile professionnelle : MMA IARD - 14 Bd Marie et Alexandre Oyon - 72 000 LE MANS - Police 125 901 025
Garantie financière : GROUPAMA ASSURANCE - 5, rue du centre - 93199 NOISY-le-GRAND Cedex - Contrat n 4000713874/1
COMPAGNIE DES GUIDES DE CHAMONIX
www.chamonix-guides.com - e-mail : [email protected]
190 Place de l’église 74400 CHAMONIX FRANCE - TEL + 33 (0)4.50.53.00.88
DAY 4: Drive to La Grave and approach to the hut
Hike and climb to the Promontoire hut (3092m) through les Enfetchores and brèche de la Meije
1100m
DAY 5: Ascent of the Meije (3983m) and hike back down to the valley
900m 2300m
Meije ascent is unbelievably diversify through different technical passages like le Pas du Crapaud, Cheval rouge,
Doigt de Dieu…
DAY 6 (optionnal day): – Drive back to Chamonix if late return on Day 5
 500m  1280m
The program presented here above is a guideline for the course. The guide’s experience in the field allows him
only to make changes to adapt the course program to mountain and weather conditions, and to participants’ skills
and abilities.
Further informations
PHYSICAL LEVEL :
Very good level of fitness.
TECHNICAL LEVEL :
Experience in AD+ climbing difficulty.
GUIDING POLIY
Minimum 1 and maximum 2 participants per guide, on the first day.
Maximum 1 participant per guide for the 4 other days.
In terms of group size, the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix's guiding policy is one of the strictest in the
mountain guiding industry.
ACCOMODATION
Catered mountain hut, night in dormitory or in Chamonix.
MEALS
The evening meal will be taken in the mountain hut on the previous couloirs ascent's day.
Picnics lunch
Water not included in the hut.
TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT: See the equipment list.
Rental possible for mountain boots, crampons, ice axes, harness and helmet (See booking form).
DOCUMENTATION
ID or valid passport.
Having a repatriation insurance is mandatory. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended.
We provide optional insurance contracts for repatriation and trip cancellation (see booking form).
DATES 2016: On Mondays, from late June to early September
Please feel free to contact us anytime to check the conditions.
MEETING
Departure on day 1 is at 8.30am from the Compagnie des Guides in Chamonix
PRICE 2016: 2800 € per person
Including :
- Organisation and supervision by a State qualified high mountain guide
- Lifts
- Midday picnics
- Half board accommodation in mountain huts.
Not included :
-Personal equipment
-Accommodation in Chamonix.
-Rapatriation insurance
COMPAGNIE DES GUIDES DE CHAMONIX MONT-BLANC, 190, place de l’église 74 400 CHAMONIX ; www.chamonix-guides.com
SAS au capital social de 364 400€ - R.C.S Annecy - SIRET 448 519 306 00014 - Code APE 7911 Z
TVA intercommunautaire FR 23 446 519 306 - Immatriculation ATOUT France IM074 150011
Responsabilité civile professionnelle : MMA IARD - 14 Bd Marie et Alexandre Oyon - 72 000 LE MANS - Police 125 901 025
Garantie financière : GROUPAMA ASSURANCE - 5, rue du centre - 93199 NOISY-le-GRAND Cedex - Contrat n 4000713874/1