TOUR OF MONT BLANC, FRANCE
September 3—16, 2009
$2225
Jack &
Shelley Finnegan,
Trip Leaders
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Trip
Itinerary
Wednesday 09/02/09:
Depart USA For Geneva
 Day 1, Thursday
09/03/09—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. Luggage available. (Dinner not included).
Day 2, Friday
09/04/09—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. Luggage available. (Breakfast included,
Dinner not included).
Day 3, Saturday
09/05/09—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 cable car
will cost approximately 7 Euro per person, not included in the price.
Miage is described as being at the end of a hanging valley, the upper
end of which has three glaciers suspended from a curved mountain
wall. Our accommodations will be at the Refuge Miage in bunkrooms
with shared facilities. Luggage not available. (Breakfast
and Dinner included).
Day 4, Sunday 09/06/09—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. Luggage not available. (Breakfast and Dinner included).
Day 5, Monday 09/07/09—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. Luggage not
available. (Breakfast and Dinner included).
Day 6, Tuesday 09/08/09—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 available. (Breakfast included,
Dinner not included).
Day 7, Wednesday
09/09/09—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. Luggage available. (Breakfast included,
Dinner not included).
Day 8, Thursday
09/10/09—To Rifugio Walter Bonatti, Italy—Hiking 5-6 Hours
Named 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. Luggage not available. (Breakfast and Dinner
included).
Day 9, Friday 09/11/09—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 not available. (Breakfast and Dinner included).
Day 10, Saturday 09/12/09—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 available. (Breakfast and Dinner
included).
Day 11, Sunday 09/13/09—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 not available. (Breakfast and Dinner included).
Day 12, Monday 09/14/09—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 not available. (Breakfast and Dinner included).
Day 13, Tuesday
09/15/09—To Chamonix, France—Hiking 4-6 Hours
Back to our hotel in Chamonix and any additional luggage that was not
transferred along our tour. Last group dinner is included. Luggage
available. (Breakfast and Dinner included).
Day 14, Wednesday
09/16/09—Depart Chamonix, France
Early group transfer by bus from Chamonix to Geneva for morning flight
to the USA. (Very early light Breakfast included).
For more information
and to register, contact Jack Finnegan, P.O. Box
573, Lehighton, Pa 18235, telephone 570-386-2128, E-mail jackfinn@ptd.net
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Please
note: Prices and trip arrangements are subject to change due to
circumstances beyond ADK's control. All registration fees are
non-refundable. Details including cancellation policy will
be supplied to
all those requesting trip information.
MEMBERSHIP
IN THE ADIRONDACK MOUNTAIN CLUB IS REQUIRED FOR
PARTICIPATION
MEMBERSHIP
APPLICATION |
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