UKC

I'll be visiting Chamonix quite soon and I was wondering which campsite is good to stay at if you want to meet other climbers. I also heard campsites get quite busy and campsite les Arolles seemingly doesnt take online bookings (I'm with a tent anyways). Will this be a problem upon arrival? (which will likely be after 6pm).

Also, any good bars that will (likely) broadcast the world championships in hachioji? Any cheap food in Cham? Any other healthy tips? :3

Thanks for the advice! ^^

Try the campsite in Argentiere. Loads of climbers, often space for a single tent even when officially full. Communal undercover areas for cooking and meeting other climbers. They do have a tv lounge / bar on site. Free valley transport into Cham and elsewhere in the valley. Supermarket and bakery 10 minutes walk away.

    Cheapest food is the food you cook yourself I'm afraid.

Enjoy!

Exactly as the other Mark says - the campsite in Les Chosalets is ideal if you're a solo climber.

Thanks! great that they have some kind of transport into cham, ah yeah and as for the food I do really miss italy and their 5 euro Pizza's , was kinda hoping Cham might have the same. But I'll look around anyways!

Not quite as cheap, but the pizza van that appears on the campsite does a very passable pizza (though they often seem to struggle to understand 'sans olive s'il vous plait'), the pizza place at the Grand Roc on the walk in to Argentiere is also good, and the Cafe La Yaute next to the campsite do great food and beer but are quite expensive.

And most importantly, both the bakery near the garage and the bakery above the Super U in Argentiere are fantastic.

But none beat Poco Loco...

This is great! Penned them down in my little notepad so I won't forget. Also, are the gearshops in Cham reasonably priced? might be looking for a new puffy among things as my current one is quite worn. The Netherlands tends to be  a pricey country when it comes to buying quality stuff.

Snell Sports has a reputation of being expensive - but to be honest I don't think it's any more so than Outside, and they are in the same category as Outside and Needle Sports for fantastic and knowledgeable service. Technique Extreme is a good place to go for a good bargain, if they have what you want.

Edit: just twigged you might not be from the UK. Outside and Needle Sports are very highly regarded independent climbing shops in the UK.

Oh, and to add to the list of food places I like: if you come off a route around Plan Praz, the brasserie opposite the bus station in Cham Sud does a good burger and has the range of Brasserie du Mont Blanc beers on tap, which are excellent. And I say that as someone who doesn't tend to drink or particularly like beer. The IPA is exceptional.

A short walk form the lift and a good place to chill and have a post-route beer while you wait for the bus.

There is a Decathlon City in av. Mchel Croz