UKC

heading out to cham next week, first alpine season. looking at Pd routes. any reccomended routes at the moment that are in?

also what lifts will be open?
i gather there is still a fair amount of snow? skis/snow shoes essential?

if cham isnt ideal, any other areas reccomended?

finally quick question, 1 axe or 2 at this grade?

cheers, any advice greatly appreciated

Tom

In reply to Tom Redmond:

The usual recommendations for first seasons are:

Ailefroide - the Ecrin - http://www.ailefroide.fr/camping/
Arolla - http://www.arolla.com/english/index.htm

If you're set on Cham, then there's a selection of routes in this book:

http://www.needlesports.com/Catalogue/Books-Maps-DVDs/Foreign-Climbing-Guid...

Which are nice and easy and were recommended to me as good first routes on my Conville course.

In reply to Tom Redmond: Some first routes could be:-

- Petite Aiguille Verte (NW ridge)
- Aig du Tour (take your pick!)
- Aig Argentiere (Mileu Glacier)
- Tour Ronde (East Ridge)
- Mt Blanc du Tacul (NW face)
- Cosmiques Arete on the Midi

I'm afraid I can't advise on current conditions, so some of the above might not be accessible or sensible.

1 axe should be fine.

In reply to Tom Redmond: Ask Charlie, he's the man! http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?n=504980

In reply to Tom Redmond:

The Aiguille du Midi is the only one that's open.

Conditions are probably quite difficult if you are walking and don't have a good avalanche awareness.

In reply to Tom Redmond:

This is probably a bit early season really as you can tell from other responses above (and I think there's been late season snow). Snow conditions high up are going to be dodgy, I would have thought. Have you thought about lower level rock routes and cragging to ensure you get some stuff done?

In reply to Tom Redmond: Have a look at the Aiguille Entreves. It is a short day and should be accessible from Helebonner

In reply to Tom Redmond:
Mont Buet for a warm up/kit test/acclimatisation.

Aig de Belvedere above Lac Blanc on the Aig Rouges for something different.

The train to Montenvers should be open.

In reply to lowersharpnose: I've never been, but some of the Aiguilles accessible from Montenvers? Aiguille de L'Em?