Climbing in Chamonix

[raisinbran]

I'm living in Lyon this summer and winter and not finding any sites online to connect with climbing partners.

 

I'll probably go to Chamonix and Grenoble in the next week and hang out at the campsite, try and hook up with people.

 

Anybody with exp. over there have any advice they care to impart about this... finding partners for climbing over here. Also if any NW climbers are coming this way, let me know.

 

Thanks.

[Jim]

I was able to find partners pretty easily over there on two visits, though the last was about 12 years ago. I camped at Mer de Glace, which used to be a free mud-hole in days back. It's a bit spruced up now but you can still find climbers there. The American Bar is also a good place to find potential partners. And there are some good moterate snow routes that you can do solo, with assistance from the telefrique (sp?). You can always hire a guide for a day if you want to try something ambitious that you can't find a partner for. Avoid the main guide service in the middle of the square, frenchies with their noses in the air and charge an arm and a leg. While hitching into town I got picked up by a young guide for a smaller group - seemed very friendly and enthusiastic. Search around the side streets off the square. Great place though a bit busy.

[jefffski]

chamonix is all grown up. there is no free camping except for the aiguille de midi glacier, which is illelegal but if yours isn't the only tent do it anyway. great place to acclimatize.

 

as for partners--easy. go to the maison de guides 3rd floor. info, partner books, etc.

 

 

have fun

 

[Norsky]

In 97 I spent a couple weeks in Cham. You can camp for free by the first frique station at the Plan on the up to Midi.

Try the "Chalet" hotel clear across the valley from Mt. Blanc for partners or cheap rooms.

Enjoy!

[Gaston]

I'll be living somewhere in Southern France from October until next spring, and would love to climb with someone from the NW. I expect to have a fair amount of spare time, as well as several vacations from my work in the school system. I've been to Chamonix a few times, and will be there for two weeks at the end of September with my partner. PM me and we can talk.