Price per person
Advanced tech level |
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Fitness level 3/5 |
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5 days of climbing |
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5 nights at a camp site |
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2 climbers per guide |
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Available May and October |
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Alpes-de-Haute-Provence |
The Verdon Gorge is located in Southern France in the region of Alpes de Haute Provence. Impressive in size and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful river canyons in Europe, the bright turquoise of the Verdon river shimmers against the massive limestone walls that tower either side of it.
The Gorges du Verdon limestone is well known for its quality and challenge, however it is also the perfect training ground for beginner climbers to master the techniques of multi-pitch climbing. The gorge offers amazing bolted and traditional multi-pitch climbing routes - you'll find everything from perfect cracks to overhanging walls and technical face climbs. With over 1000 routes in the area, you never have to climb the same one twice!
The massive choice and variety of routes makes this area popular with beginners and experienced climbers alike; some routes are accessed on foot via tunnels that lead into the bottom of the gorge, whereas you'll abseil into others from above.
Verdon Gorge is the perfect destination offering good quality climbing and great cuisine in the amazing environment and climate of the Haute Provence. This is an unmissable trip for any climber.
Whether you wish to ravel by your own means or you will join us on the drive from Chamonix, we aim to be in La Palud sur Verdon by 4pm. We will pitch the tents and organise our selves at the campground. We will have the trip meeting with all the participants and guides to discuss the week. Today is a good day to shop for the food supplies.
We will analyze your climbing, divide the group into climbing teams and plan routes for the rest of the trip. Swimming in late afternoon is an option for hot weather days!
These two days are dedicated to explore and climb some of the best routes in the Verdon Gorge. There are so many! Most of the big routes are accessible by an abseil from the top of the canyon and this is what we will do tese days! Dropping into the gorge with a long rappel, we'll then climb routes of about 5-8 pitches.
We will start early today. Final day of climbing will involve a shorter but challenging route. We will return to the campsite in the early afternoon to shower and pack the camp. At about 3pm will be departure for Chamonix. Those who will travel to Chamonix with us can preview arrival time for 20H - 21H depending on traffic.
We designed this trip to be in low guiding ratio (2 climbers per guide) which will allow division of the group into independent climbing teams. Therefore we have the flexibility to accommodate for climbers of all levels.
We expect you to have at least some experience in rock climbing and to know the basic rope work techniques (how to tie your knot, how to safely belay your lead climber, how to rappel). This course is ideal for climbers who can comfortably follow rock routes french 6a and more.
Warm hat
Sun hat
Climbing shoes
Fleece or woollen layers
Light puffer jacket
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Climbing pants
Swimwear
Approach shoes
T-shirts
Shorts
Long sleeve shirt
Climbing harness
3 x Screwgate carabiner
Belay device
Climbing helmet
25-30 litres rucksack
Lanyard
60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik
Sunglasses
Water bottle - Ideally two 1L bottles
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Washbag and toiletries
Towel
Sleeping bag comfort rating 0°C
Fork & spoon
Pen knife
Tent
Camping mat
Camping cookware
Camping stove + gas
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
Accommodation on a campsite. Tents and camping mats can be provided if needed.
Un transfert aller-retour en groupe de Chamonix à La Palud est inclus.
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.
Please see the "Equipment" tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.
Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.
Food is not included in the trip price
The accommodation will be in tents on one of the local campsites. The campsites are quite basic but have all the facilities needed. We can provide the camping equipment (a tent, a mat and a stove) if needed.
No food is included in the package. You will be free to cook your dinners at the campsite or eat in restaurants, whatever you wish. We will do regular stops in the grocery shops to top us the food supplies.
If you wish to travel with us by a car or a minibus from Chamonix, you need to arrive in Chamonix the day before the D1 - arrival day. We will leave Chamonix before midday. The drive to Verdon takes about 5 - 6 hours.
You can also fly to Marseille or Nice and hire a car. Drive from either airport is about 2H30.
You can stay in the region after the course ends. The Verdon Gorge is a beautiful area offering amazing hikes and visits (Lac de Sainte Croix, Natural Park Verdon). There are also activities such as mountain biking, horse riding and rafting / canoeing. If you wish to do a road trip, you will be a short drive away from the Cote d'Azur, Calanques, Camarque and other beautiful places of the Provence.