// Trip Reports  

Report name	Benenden Alpine Intro and Mont Blanc 2006
Date submitted	Sep-06

11 pupils and 3 members of staff from Benenden School embarked on a 12 day mountaineering course, assuming little or no climbing experience, with the aim of a possible ascent of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe or other 4000m Peak in the range.

The course began with a week in the unspoilt village of Arolla in the Valais region of Switzerland, gaining essential mountaineering skills and climbing two peaks from the Arolla Valley, before moving on to Chamonix in France the base for Mont Blanc and other Peaks.

The group arrived in good weather, which was to remain pretty much throughout the twelve days, despite a few evening storms which are the norm during Alpine summers. Based in the village campsite, which at 2000m is the highest campsite in Europe, they had to learn camping skills and also assist in the preparation and cooking of meals on the campsite, which included large amounts of washing up afterwards!

Meals consisted of simple campsite concoctions of chill con carne, curry and bangers and mash. One evening the group ate Rosti, a Swiss dish similar to hash browns. The team were camping in 2/3 man tents and also had a small marquee tent to eat meals in and use to read in or play cards or just chat.

The mountaineering programme was directed by BMG/IFMFA Guide Andy Owen assisted throughout by Julie-Ann Clyma and Roger Payne and other British and Swiss Guides at various stages of the programme.

The team got over their flight from the UK and coach journey from Geneva with a day rock climbing and abseiling on a local crag. The next day was spent on the nearby Ferpecle Glacier learning how to use crampons and an ice axe and how to move across a glacier safely by roping up.

The team then had four consecutive mountain days climbing two mountains from Arolla; the Pte de Vousson (sic) and the Pigne D’Arolla. These were tough climbs, especially straight after each other but nearly everyone made it up both peaks and it was a fine effort by everybody. Apart from practicing their technical skills the group learnt about living in Alpine huts, making early, pre-dawn starts whilst enjoying the spectacular scenery with views into France and Italy including the nearby Matterhorn.

The following day was to most people’s relief a rest day, well, if you call taking down all the tents, clearing and packing away the whole campsite and transferring to Chamonix, a rest then fair enough! It did give everyone’s legs the chance to recover though and the afternoon allowed for a shopping trip in Chamonix. This was an excitment for everyone as the two shops and post office of Arolla can’t really compete with the attractions on offer in Chamonix; Pubs, casino, bars and night clubs! Of course, I am sure none of these were frequented by the group who by now were all serious mountaineers committed to the core…!

The group stayed in the Chamonix International Youth Hostel, which provided meals and was a spacious and relaxing base for the group. The next morning saw the group split up to pursue different objectives.

6 of the group would attempt Mont Blanc via the Gouter Route while the others aimed to climb Mont Blanc du Tacul from the Aiguilles du Midi, the short but technical Cosmiques Ridge or the Pointe Lachenal.

Most of the group made it up the Tacul which provides fantastic views across the Mont Blanc Massif and to Mont Blanc. In fact, one enthusiastic teacher climbed the Tacul twice on consecutive days! The fantastic weather, comfortable hut and the relaxing cable car ride up to the Aiguille du Midi made this an enjoyable 3 days for all.

The group on Mont Blanc also had a cable car journey, followed by a train and a couple of hours walking until the Tete Rousse hut, their stop on day one. The following morning the group traversed the Grand Couloir before an enjoyable scramble up to the Gouter hut, their accommodation for the night. However, before the group was starting the long climb up and down Mont Blanc, in fantastic conditions and relative quiet. The climb follows the Gouter route and provides a steady approach up the Dome du Gouter before steepening and becoming an exposed snow ridge in its upper section. Everyone in the group made it to the top tired but pleased. The climb back to the Gouter proved hot and exhausting. A restless night was spent there before descending back down to Chamonix.

Back at the hostel, both groups reunited and rested before a meal in the hostel and one last chance to sample Chamonix’s night life before a morning transfer back to Geneva and the flight back home!