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Mountaineering Family exploration of the mountains
Duration:
2 days
Price from: 345€
Fitness:
Infobulle physique
Physical Level 1: For individuals who engage in occasional physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 300m.
Physical Level 2: For individuals who engage in regular physical activities, positive elevation gain of up to 600m or routes above 3500m.
Physical Level 3: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 900m or routes above 4000m.
Physical Level 4: For individuals who engage in regular endurance activities, positive elevation gain of up to 1300m.
Physical Level 5: For individuals who engage in intensive endurance activities, positive elevation gain exceeding 1300m.
Technique:
Infobulle technique
Technical Level 1: For regular hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route is not very steep and is well-marked, or the activity may also take place in beginner-friendly areas.
Technical Level 2: For experienced hikers wishing to discover mountaineering. The route includes short, steep sections and may involve scree or rocky ridges, requiring surefootedness.
Technical Level 3: For occasional mountaineers (2 to 5 recent outings). The route includes steep sections requiring prior climbing experience at a French grade 3c level and/or mastery of crampons and ice axe use.
Technical Level 4: For regular mountaineers (5 to 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing at a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and an ice axe, as well as basic roping and belaying techniques.
Technical Level 5: For experienced mountaineers (more than 10 recent outings). The route requires climbing above a French grade 4c level and mastery of mountaineering techniques, including the use of crampons and ice axes for ice climbing, as well as advanced roping and belaying techniques.
General information
The area around the Albert 1er hut is the perfect destination for exploring the mountains and their glaciers. Easily accessible via the Balme-Vallorcine ski lifts, this area offers a breathtaking immersion into the icy world of glaciers. Our program includes a night at the Albert 1er hut and takes a fun, friendly approach focused on exploration. Our program is specifically designed for families who want to discover the world of glaciers and experience a night in a mountain hut. It also provides a great opportunity to learn basic mountaineering techniques, such as using crampons and ice axes.
The Tour Glacier area offers numerous possibilities, and the outlined trip can easily include an additional night in the hut if you'd like to extend your stay. Don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to customize your program.
Private booking
Private hiring is the historical relationship that binds a guide to his/her client. It allows you to be alone, or in a constituted group, with your guide that meets your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal formula to realize your projects because it guarantees you a maximum of comfort. You are free to choose your departure date (depending on the availability of the huts) and the itinerary can be adjusted, according to your specific expectations.
Dates : On request, depending on availabilities (from Mid-June to Mid-September).
Prices 2024 :
2 persons : 760€ per person
3 persons : 550€ per person
4 persons : 450€ per person
5 persons : 385€ per person
6 persons : 345€ per person
Minors aged 14 and over must be accompanied by an adult
Included in the package :
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service,
- One Half-board in Albert 1er hut (dinner, breakfast and night),
- Lift access as per programme,
Not included in the package :
- Personal drinks and other personal expenses (we recommend you bring Euros),
- Take out lunches and daily snacks,
- Cost of getting to meeting point,
- Personal technical equipment including your mountaineering shoes.
Further information
In this section, find all the information about this activity. To prepare your trip effectively, refer to the guides’ tips. They share their expertise and recommendations, ensuring you have a great experience.
Meeting point : Meeting at 1pm at "le Tour" ski lift
Physical level : For people who regularly exercise/take part in sports. Six to seven hours of exercise per day
Technical level : No mountaineering experience necessary
Guiding policy : 1 to 6 people. Minors aged 14 and over must be accompanied by an adult
Accomodation : One half-board in hut (night, dinner & breakfast)
Documentation : Participants must have mountain sports insurance with repatriation cover. We strongly recommend that this also includes cancellation cover. You can take out insurance offering both of these types of cover when you sign up. Participants must also take valid ID with them.
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend you take particular care over you choice of equipment, as it plays a large role in the success of your trip. Weight is critical, and you must always evaluate the weight-to-comfort ratio to find the best compromise.
Equipment
- 35-litre backpack
- High-altitude mountaineering boots that are not too tight
- Gaiters, if needed for your trousers
- Telescopic trekking poles
- Crampons with anti-balling plates; helmet, harness and straight ice axe
Clothing
- Warm hat that can be worn under a helmet
- Sun hat or cap
- Neck protection such as a ‘Buff’
- ‘Micro-fibre’ style long-sleeve base layer
- Fleece
- ‘Gore Tex’ style shell jacket with hood
- Down jacket
- Base layer leggings
- Durable summer mountaineering trousers (not ski trousers)
- ‘Gore Tex’ style over-trousers
- Warm specialist walking socks
- Lightweight specialist walking socks
- Ski gloves or good quality mitts
- Leather or fleece gloves
- Change of clothes at your discretion
Accessories
- Category 4 sunglasses
- Ski goggles
- Headtorch plus spare batteries
- Sheet sleeping bag
- Water bottle (minimum 1.5l) and thermos bottle
- Personalised first aid kit with a minimum of: sun cream, lip balm, cotton buds, blister kit, antisickness medication
- Watertight bag to contain your ID/passport and Euros
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Walk up to the Albert 1er hut
Start in the village of Le Tour (1450m). We use the ski lifts to take us up to near the Col de Balme (2100m). We take a comfortable path that starts with a traverse before following the moraine of the Tour glacier to the Albert 1er hut (2702m). The hut was renovated in 2014 and we hope you will appreciate the level of comfort and the views from the terrace at sunset.
Vertical ascent: 600m
Day 2
Ascent of the Tête Blanche
We head out by the light of our headtorches. We quickly reach the Tour glacier. We walk up the gentle slopes of the glacier to the summit of the Tête Blanche (3429m). Having taken in the stunning panoramic views across the Aiguille du Chardonnet (3824m) and the Trient glacier (3200m) we return to the hut and the village of Le Tour via the same route.
Vertical ascent: 715m / Vertical descent: 1320m
Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 14 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 14 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 1.4€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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