Challenge events
Do you wanna be in our gang – Oh Yeah!
We are in desperate need of fun, outgoing, enthusiastic people who like a challenge and don’t mind giving up a weekend night out for a good cause and joining our jolly Fundraising Team! Contact rachel@lgf.org.uk for a volunteer application pack.
Mont Blanc Summit Challenge - 28th June and return on the 5th July 2008
Deposit: £150. Recommended Sponsorship £3500
Been there, done that? Think you’re fit? Already done numerous weekend treks in the UK or abroad? Then join us on the trek of a lifetime with an attempt on the summit of Mont Blanc, Europe’s highest peak, and raise funds for The Lesbian and Gay Foundation.
This is a one-week trek involving 3 days learning the necessary rope, ice-axe, crampon and mountaineering techniques in the capable hands of one of Chamonix's world famous Mountain Rescue Team, followed by 2 days of hard, hard challenge, attempting to summit Mont Blanc by the Dome de Gouter Route.
Day 1
Arrive midday into Geneva airport. Transfer to Chamonix, meet the guides and get all hire equipment. Briefing with the guides and plan for the week. (Accommodation twin share rooms in a Gite in Chamonix).
Day 2
In the morning, get from Montvers funicular up to Mer de Glace. You will have all day learning the use of ice axe and crampons and techniques to navigate varying snow conditions (from soft snow to ice) and varying inclines (from flat to very steep). Also tips on how to walk roped up to other people. You will have a packed lunch on Mer de Glace. (Accommodation twin share rooms in Chamonix ).
Day 3
Putting into practice the skills learnt the day before and acclimatisation, you will transfer early in the morning to Le Tour. Then get the chair lift to Col de Balme and trek up to Albert 1st Refuge (2,702m) normally taking about 2 hours. The afternoon session is on the glacier below, where you can practise crampon and ice axe techniques. Then supper and an early night. (Overnight in a refuge in multi-bedded room).
Day 4
An early start at around 4am to take advantage of better snow conditions. Ice trekking on the Glacier du Tour between 3,500m – 3,800m, depending on your skill level, then returning to Chamonix. These two days provide an opportunity for the guides to assess the participants’ physical fitness, coordination, and techniques etc. They will also review the equipment brought to make sure it is suitable for the summit bid. It is possible at this point that the guides may suggest a particular participant is not fit enough to attempt the summit bid. In this case, an alternative plan will be discussed for that person or group of people. (Accommodation back in Chamonix).
Day 5
A chance to relax and visit the sights and prepare for the challenge over the next 2 days ahead. This will mean packing of rucksacks and then a full kit check by the guides. (Accommodation in Chamonix).
Day 6
The summit bid is always taken with 2 participants and one guide. Taking the Les Houches telepherique (1,000m) to Bellevue (1,800m) and then another funicular train to le Nid d’Aigle (2,372m). You will start the ascent with a 2 ½ hour trek to the start of the snow. Here you put on crampons etc and head up to the Gouter Refuge (3,817m), another 2-3 hours, but this time “4 point” scrambling. (Accommodation in the Refuge de Gouter).
Day 7
The next day, you start your summit bid at 02.00am heading up by the “normal” route (Dome du Gouter, Vallot Refuge, arista des Bosses) to the peak of Mont Blanc (4,807m) in about 5 hours, arriving there at dawn i.e. trekking there in darkness! The summit bid is always subject to weather conditions, the physical conditions of the participants and other considerations made by the guide. From the top (or as far as you get) you will return all the way to the top of the funicular at le Nid d’Aigle, all in one go - about 7 hours of descent. (Accommodation in Chamonix, with a very well earned celebration evening meal).
Day 8
Transfer to Geneva airport mid day/early afternoon.
Cost:
£1800
Included
7 nights accommodation in Gite in Chamonix or in refuge, all breakfasts and dinners except breakfast on the free day, some packed lunches, furnicular and telepherique tickets, airport transfers, other transport to start and finish of various days, equipment hire (harnesses, helmets, climbing boots, ice axe, crampons), guides
Not included
Flights. No food on the free day except breakfast. Personal insurance
Further Information: Contact Tall Stories on 020 8939 8739 or info@tallstories.co.uk
Contact us or contact us to register your interest in the Mont Blanc Summit challenge.
