Chamonix Mountain Adventures. Hilary Sharp

Prarion circuit

       Route 3 Pipeline descent: Saint-Gervais to Le Fayet

       Route 4 Tour des Ayères

       Route 5 Promenade de l’Arve

       Route 6 Petit Balcon Nord: Chamonix to Le Tour

       Route 7 Montroc to Chamonix along the Arve

       Route 8 Col des Montets to the chocolate shops

       Route 9 Vallorcine–Col des Posettes–Le Tour–Montroc

       Route 10 Vallorcine to Martigny

       Descents and airtime

       4 Road Biking

       Route 1 Chamonix to Sallanches

       Route 2 Col des Montets

       Route 3 Emosson Lake

       Route 4 Col de la Forclaz

       Rides outside of the Chamonix valley

       5 Rock Climbing and Bouldering

       Rock climbing

       Area 1 Les Gaillands

       Area 2 The Index

       Area 3 La Joux

       Area 4 Les Chéserys

       Area 5 Aiguillette d’Argentière

       Area 6 Vallorcine Slab (Rocher de la Saix)

       Area 7 Barberine

       Bouldering

       Area 1 Col des Montets

       Area 2 Pierre d’Orthaz

       Area 3 Les Bossons

       Area 4 Le Coupeau

       Area 5 Le Médonnet

       6 Via Ferratas

       Route 1 Le Mont, Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval

       Route 2 La Curalla, Passy

       Other routes in the Haute Savoie region

       Route 3 La Yves Pollet Villard, La Clusaz

       Route 4 La Roche à l’Agathe, Thônes

       Appendix A Useful contacts

       Appendix B Useful French words and phrases

       Appendix C Further reading

       Appendix D Glacier travel and rescue techniques

      At the Col Cornu enjoying splendid views of Mont Blanc (Classic Walk, Route 5)

      The crux scramble of the Aiguille du Belvédère (Adventure Walks, Route 3)

      INTRODUCTION

      The Chamonix Valley seen from the Cosmiques Arête (Alpine Mountaineering, Route 1)

      Chamonix, the place of dreams, the home of huge glaciated mountains, including western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc; the playground of serious mountaineers … in summer alpinists frequent the sheer rocky faces and steep icy couloirs, in winter extreme skiers launch themselves down audacious slopes and aspirant North Face climbers tackle the cold dark ice faces.

      There is another Chamonix, one that offers a plethora of different mountain activities for those who are searching for a mountain holiday not confined to one sport. There are walks both on and off glaciers for all levels; easily accessed climbs for beginners as well as experts; bike rides both on and off road for those just learning how to pedal as well as those looking for daredevil jumps and long hard ascents; miles of trails perfect for runners; and, if you know where to look, there are some very adventurous walks and via ferrata which venture onto terrain normally off limits for non-climbers. Add to this a practical and reliable infrastructure of public transport and lift systems, which make Chamonix an easily accessible and user-friendly resort. Put succinctly, Chamonix is a playground for anyone looking for adventure in whatever form, against one of the most splendid and inspiring mountain backdrops you could dream of.

      This guide aims to open up this world of multi-activity to anyone who wants to explore it. Classic hikes and challenging adventurous expeditions are described, along with walks that will suit all the family, from dog to granny. Regular valley mountain bike routes are included here as well as the very latest in dedicated descents using cable cars and the fabulously spectacular ‘Dirt Zones’ and bike parks – strictly for those under 30 with shock-absorbing bodies as well as bikes. The most popular and accessible rock-climbing venues are also briefly outlined, with some of the favourite moderate routes described as well as the increasingly popular bouldering sites.