Your guide will meet you in our offices in Chamonix on the evening prior start of the trip. This is a great opportunity to run the equipment check, discuss the itinerary, weather forecast & conditions and answer any questions you have.

Today is dedicated to crampon and ice axe training on glacial terrain. Depending on your previous climbing experience and size of your group, you will learn how to use crampons and basic mountaineering skills or climb one of the alpine routes in the area. You will also stay in the historical Torino hut for the night

Transport to the Gran Paradiso National Park where we will hike up to the Vittorio Emanuele II or the Chabod Refuge. The hike takes 2-3 hours and then we spend the night at either of the two mountain huts.

The big day! An early start (3am) awaits us and we set out to climb the Grand Paradiso (4016m) before dawn. The climb is varied over easy snow slopes, glacier and rocky ridge; it takes around 4-5 hours from the refuge to the summit. We’ll see the sun rising along the way and the view from the top will be something special. The descent is by the same path and takes about 3 hours. You will return to Chamonix to celebrate your first 4000m peak ascent!

We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.

To book your transfer, we will need the following:

• Your full name
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Your destination address
• Your flight details (date, time and flight number)

SHARED TRANSFERS:

This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.

PRIVATE TRANSFERS:

Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it’s a door-to-door service, so you won’t be lugging any bags very far.

We don’t include mountain rescue insurance in any of our courses but we strongly recommend that you have it. Mountain rescue may be very expensive, particularly if helicopters are involved. Check with your travel insurance provider if you are covered for the specific activity you are going to do with us.

However, we can organise the mountain rescue insurance for you. Details of the insurance cover are different for EU and non-EU residents; please contact us for more information.

We highly recommend that you book any equipment with us at least 2 weeks in advance as the hire shops can have limited availability in the busy season.

You can collect your equipment the evening before the start of the course and return it in the evening at the end of your course. We work with the following Chamonix ski hire and mountain shop:

• Concept Pro Shop that is conveniently located directly next door from our office. Open 7/7 08:00-19:00

If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.