Haute Route detailed description
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| The Chamonix Valley has held a place in the
center of alpine climbing and ski mountaineering longer than
anywhere on the planet. Widely considered to be the birthplace
of Alpinism, this small valley provides some of the best access
to the widest range of alpine terrain imaginable. With 6 ski
areas, dozens of lifts and trams, fully stocked alpine huts
and a village with all necessary amenities at the base, it is
the starting point for many a great adventure. |
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| Looking down at Chamonix from the west,
Mt. Blanc and several of its largest glaciers dominate
the view. This photo is taken from one of the ski areas
on the opposite side of the valley in the Aiguilles Rouges. |
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| The first day is a shakedown day skiing
the Valle Blanche out of Chamonix. After riding a gondola
up nearly 9000 vertical feet, we hike down onto the Glacier
du Geant for some skills training. The Aiguille du Midi
tram is the longest single span cablecar in the world
with the upper stage of the 2 stage tram rising over 4000'
without a single support tower. Inside the top station
are restaurants, bathrooms and an exit out onto the glacier
through this ice cave. |
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| This photo is taken from the Aiguille
du Midi and shows the exposed exit ramp onto the glacier
below. We often use crampons to increase security on this
section. In the distance you can see the terrain the route
travels through on the way to Zermatt. Several landmarks
can also be seen including the Grand Combin (large peak
in middle distance) and the Matterhorn (just right of
Grand Combin in far distance). |
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| We use the first day to make sure everyone's
skills are up to speed. We focus on avalanche rescue and
use of all of the specialized equipment, as well as skiing
through some incredible scenery. |
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| The run down the Vallee Blanche is probably
one of the single most famous ski runs in the world. In
good conditions you can ski all the way back to Chamonix
for a 9000' descent! Another option is to tour over to
the Italian side of the mountain for a 4000' run down
the Glacier de Toule. We can ride the Helbrunner tram
back up and continue back to Chamonix for even more skiing! |
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| The Vallee Blanche run takes you right
alongside a significant icefall. Just below it is a large
flat area perfect for lunch, dubbed the "Salle a
Mange" which means cafeteria in french. |
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| At the end of our warmup day we return
to one of the fine hotels in Chamonix for a group meal
and to pack up for the next 8 days. Our extra gear will
be transported to Zermatt, so clean clothes await us on
the other end. |
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| From the top of the Grand
Montets Ski Area we will drop down onto the Argentiere
Glacier and cross it. From there we will tour up to the
first high pass of the trip, the Col du Chardonnet. This
is the obvious col in the center of the photo. |
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| There are several options for getting
onto the Argentiere Glacier from the Grand Montets; one
of the most scenic is to ski the Rognon Glacier, skirting
this dramatic icefall. |
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| Here we are touring up toward the Col
du Chardonnet with Aiguille Verte in the backgound. It
is truly difficult to take a bad phot in the Alps. |
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| The Col du Chardonnet has the single
steepest descent of the whole tour on its backside. Skiers
will sideslip this 55+ degree slope with the aid of a
guide's belay rope from a fixed anchor at the top. |
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| After skiing across the Glacier du Saliena
and climbing up to another small col, we tour across the
Trient Glacier approaching the first night's destination,
the Trient Hut. |
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| The Trient Hut sits on a small bench
above the glacier. For those new to ski touring in the
Alps, being able to walk in, order a beer and food or
just relax in a comfortable heated space seems pretty
decadent. |
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| Continue the Tour... |
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