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Valley Bases
Chamonix There is an almost never-ending choice of the finest quality rock routes, be they long mountain routes or multi-pitch, modern routes - some with bolts and fixed abseil points. The quality and quantity of snow and ice routes vary from season to season. So, depending on conditions, this alpine area offers all styles and types of climbing catering adequately for both beginners and experienced alpinists. Because of its height the Mont Blanc Massif can attract more than its share of unsettled weather, but the forecasts are usually accurate. Chamonix also offers quick access by car to many other Valley Bases if we need to escape bad weather. All forms of accommodation are available in Chamonix or Argentière. Several campsites offer excellent facilities. Expect to pay £8-10 per night for two people, small tent and car. 'Gîtes' provide hostel style accommodation for about £10-12 per person per night. Hotels start at £20 per person per night.
To get there fly to Geneva and drive in one hour to Chamonix along the Autoroute Blanche. Car hire is easy and there are many transfer services including Chamonix Transfer (+33 680 907506) and ATS. There are two buses per day in the summer and more in the winter. Trains take several hours and require a couple of changes. Chamonix Tourist Office
Arolla Arolla is an ideal location for an introduction to Alpinism, offering a comprehensive range of classic routes, from short and easily accessed climbs to serious mountain excursions. There are few modern technical routes but the classic ridges (e.g the mighty Dent Blanche) retain their reputation of demanding the full range of alpine skills. There are some easy classic traverses and also good rock routes on solid gneiss. Evolène Région Tourisme
Zermatt Private cars are not allowed in Zermatt so the lower village of Täsch is the end of the road from Visp in the main Rhône Valley. Zermatt can be reached by post bus or the famous railway, or one of the numerous private taxi firms. There is only one, rather small and hard, campsite in Zermatt, a good hostel "The Bahnhoff" and many hotels. The rock in the high mountains is generally shattered so the best routes are on mixed ground or snow and ice. There is excellent scope for multi-day traverses through the mountains. The weather is typical of the central Alps, following the pattern of settled spells interrupted by storms. Private cars are not allowed in Zermatt, the lower village of Täsch is the end of the road from Visp in the main Rhône Valley. Zermatt can be reached by post bus or the famous railway, or one of the numerous private taxi firms. There is only one, rather small and hard, campsite in Zermatt, a good hostel "The Bahnhoff" and many hotels. Tourist Office of Zermatt
Saas Saas is attractive because of the extensive possibilities for routes on some of the great 4000m peaks. There is also a lot of scope for multi-day traverses and for lower level walking. There are fine 150-200m rock climbs on the Dri Horlini, very near the Almageller Hut and several Via Ferrata. Valley rock climbing is limited but there are a number of crags around Saas Fee.
The weather is typical of the central Alps although slightly drier than further west, following the pattern of settled spells interrupted by storms. The Saas Valley has all the facilities required including money exchange facilities, campsites, supermarkets, hotels etc. Saastal Tourismus
Cogne With more than 200 icefalls, the Valley of Cogne near Aosta is one of the best places to climb frozen waterfalls. In Cogne you can do your first climbs on ice, as well as climb some mythical icefalls. A world point of attraction for icefall climbers of all nationalities, crystal clear icefalls turn Cogne into a spectacular playground for all lovers of adventure. AIAT Cogne Grand Paradis
La Grave La Grave is a world centre for icefall climbing with hundreds of ice climbs available within easy reach from the village. Walks to the climbs can be from 2 minutes to two hours and there is a huge variety of climbs from short testpieces to long adventures, mid-grade to extreme top end! The La Meije community does not experience the huge tourist invasions common to conventional resorts, and the population varies only slightly throughout the year. There are just over 600 inhabitants, made up of both locals and former French and foreign vacationers who fell in love with the site and settled there permanently. Although the La Meije area draws its resources today mainly from tourism, it has never sold its soul, and proudly preserves its authenticity. Tourist Office |
