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SEPTEMBER 9 - 22, 2006
$2000
Jack & Shelley Finnegan, Leaders
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 Tentative ItineraryDay 1-Saturday, September 9, 2006: Arrival Arrive in Geneva, and transfer to Chamonix, the world-famous resort and mountaineering center in France. Here we will enjoy our first impressive views of Mont Blanc. An orientation meeting and dinner will complete the day. Day 2-Sunday, September 10, 2006: Free Day In Chamonix, France With Mont Blanc as a backdrop, Chamonix is the world's greatest mountaineering center. A day of options including cable cars, test hikes, shopping or just marveling at the white massif of Mont Blanc. Our accommodations while in Chamonix will be in a hotel with double room and private bath. Day 3-Monday, September 11, 2006: To Miage, France-Hiking 3-4 Hours Today we begin our hike by taking a public bus to Les Houches then a cable car to Bellevue and then hike 3-4 hours to Miage. The bus will cost approximately 3 euro while the cable car will cost about 7 euro, not included in the price. Miage is described as being at the end of a hanging valley, the upper end has three glaciers suspended from a curved mountain wall. Our accommodations will be at the Refuge Miage in bunkrooms with shared facilities. No luggage transfer Day 4-Tuesday, September 12, 2006: To La Balme, France-Hiking 4-5 Hours  Next we hike through the small village of Les Contamines, arriving in time for an early lunch. The refuge La Balme is set in a wonderful valley with the Auguilles de la Pennaz to the south and the Monts Jovet to the east. Our accommodations will be in bunkrooms with shared facilities. No luggage transfer. Day 5-Wednesday, September 13, 2006: To Auberge de la Nova, France-Hiking 6-7 Hours One of our longer days today, we hike 6-7 hours to Auberge de la Nova. Our accommodations will be a combination of private rooms with 2-4 people and bunkrooms. The facilities will be shared. No luggage transfer. Day 6-Thursday, September 14, 2006: To Courmayeur, Italy-Hiking 5-6 Hours We hike 5-6 hours to La Visaille our rendezvous point for our group transfer to our hotel in Courmayeur. Our accommodations will be double rooms with private baths. Luggage will be transferred. Day 7-Friday, September 15, 2006: Free Day In Courmayeur, Italy Courmayeur, Italy located at 4,003 feet is also steeped in mountaineering history. What Chamonix is to the French side of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is to the Italian side. One attraction that we will consider is the high-level cableway that actually goes all the way back to Chamonix over 6 different stages. If the weather is right, we can go to the very top of the Alps.  Day 8-Saturday,
September 16, 2006: To Rifugio Walter Bonatti,
Italy-Hiking 5-6 HoursNamed after the great Italian mountaineer and adventurer Walter Bonatti, this large, comfortable, and well-appointed hut stands on a pastoral hillside on the south side of the Val Ferret facing Mont Blanc. Privately owned and opened in August 1998, this mountain hut has become the model for others to follow it both design and facilities. No luggage transfer. Day 9-Sunday, September 17, 2006: To Ferret, Switzerland-Hiking 5-6 Hours Today we hike to Ferret, Switzerland over the Col Grand Ferret (8,372'). Stopping for lunch en route you are offered views of the Val Veny, Val Ferret and the Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Talefre and Mont Dolent. This wonderful day of hiking ends in the Swiss Val Ferret. Luggage will be transferred. Day 10-Monday, September 18, 2006: To Champex, Switzerland-Hiking 5 Hours Tranquil is the best way to describe this Swiss resort, set beside a small lake on a natural shelf between Val d'Arpette and Val Ferret. This hike is very different than the others as we hike through small hamlets and wonderful forests. This should be one of our favorites. Luggage will be transferred. Day 11-Tuesday, September 19, 2006: To Trient, Switzerland-Hiking 5-7 Hours There are two hiking options for today, one via the high alpine pastures of Bovine with expansive views of the Rhone Valley, and the other more difficult route up and over the ruggedly beautiful Fenetre d'Arpette. Both offer wonderful views of the majestic Swiss Alps. Luggage will be transferred. Day 12-Wednesday, September 20, 2006: To Vallorcine, France-Hiking 5 Hours Today we hike over Col de Balme (7,230'). Crossing into France at the col, once again the spectacular sight of the Chamonix valley and the Mont Blanc range with its dramatic peaks and glaciers will be breathtaking. We will end our day at a quiet hotel situated in Vallorcine. Luggage will be transferred. Day 13-Thursday, September 21, 2006: To Chamonix, France-Hiking 4-6 Hours Back to our hotel in Chamonix and any additional luggage that was not transferred along our tour. Day 14-Friday, September 22, 2006: Depart Chamonix, France Early group transfer by bus from Chamonix to Geneva for morning flight to the USA. Return to Outing Description. |