MONT BLANC GRANITE
A 5 day course., June - September.
Rock climbing experience prior to course: should be able to second English vs or French 5, though this course is also open to total beginners. If you have some climbing experience all the better.

On the flanks of Mont Blanc there are some of the best quality granite climbs to be found anywhere in the Alps. This course is meant as an eye opener, to what climbs there is on offer and the different styles of climbing: friction, laybacking and jamming. Granite is often a more physical type of climbing than limestone which is found in the lower pre alps surrounding Mont Blanc.

Both types of rock I find are equally satisfying and interesting to climb. Often on these granite climbs the protection is “trad” which means the protection is placed by the leader when climbing a pitch is in the form of nuts eg: aluminium wedges and caming devices contrary to fixed bolts as it always is on limestone.

Three of the nights during the course are spent in a remote mountain hut far from the bustle of the main visited summits. There is a certain awe when climbing on these faces with the glaciers and valleys which drop away below you.

Day 1: A warm up day at Arnad which is situated in Italy, just south of Aosta. Arnad is a sports climbing venue with single pitch and multi-pitch options. The night will be spent in a charming Gite accommodation in the village.

Day 2: From the Val Ferret on the Italien side of Mt Blanc, walk into the Dalmazzi hut 2590m. On this approach walk a first mult pitch granite climb will be tackled

Days 3,4&5 Based at the Dalmazzi hut, every day climbing superb long granite routes.

Guiding Fee: Euros 1600. Guide/ client, ratio max 1/2. This fee is for one person alone or can be shared between two.

In all courses, the stated guided fee covers the guiding services of an I F M G A certified mountain guide only.
The following is not included: accommodation, any form of transport, meals and drinks. At the clients charge also is the guide's living costs when not based in the Chamonix valley.

INSURANCE:
It is essential to be adequately insured by a specialist company, which must cover all mountaineering activities. Also consider travel insurance.
You can consult: The Austrian Alpine Club or The British Mountaineering Council.