The Alpes Maritimes' Big Three

Peak bagging with a difference!

Join a group on this long weekend in the high Alpes Maritimes, or if you're a bunch of mates looking for something different, give us a call and make the most of our flexible way of working.

Cime du Gelas (3143m), Cima des Brocan (3054m) and Cima Sud Argentera (3290m), the highest on the French side, and the second highest and highest on the Italian side, all require alpine skills to get up 'em. If you're the kind of person who's "done a bit" in the UK, enjoys a scramble or two and fancies broadening your horizons to something a bit bigger - then this is for you.

We describe the border ridges of the Alpes Maritimes as the "Cuillin with attitude", airy, uncompromising, complex - serious. This is an ideal testing ground if your mountain aspirations are to the higher ranges.

Taking this guided weekend means that you can really pack it in without worrying about route finding, how much gear to carry, where to bed down and all the other conundrums that would normally go with such a weekend - "but that's all part of the fun" we hear you say - well, yes it is, but could you really do so much in such a short space of time without our assistance?

Only you can answer that one.

Why else?

Great weather

You'll be unlucky to encounter one or two people a day.

Phenomenal scenery.

Good refuges, good food.

It's the Alps!

Season

EarlyJuly to mid September

Departures to date

2008 - contact us for more information

Pricing

Hotel and refuge full board - £650

For non-standard periods and programmes, contact us to discuss the options. Read about our flexible way of working.

Grades

grade

Your Accommodation

Gîte

What's included

5 day break, 4 nights accommodation full board, two nights in mountain refuges, one night in a gîte d'étape, one night in a village hotel.
The last night's evening meal in a local restaurant - drinks at own cost.
Three days guided summit ascents by Guides des Haute Montagne.
Transport from and to Nice airport.
All technical gear. All parties must supply their own appropriate clothing and footwear.
Important Note :
Client to guide ratios are 3:1. Even on the "go as you please" basis, the absolute minium number for this trip is five, with a maximum of eight.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Nice airport, pick up and transfer to the refuge at Madone de Fenestre.
  
• Day 2 Early start 7 am, ascent of Cime du Gelas the highest peak on the French side of the border at 3143m. Transfer to gîte d'étape at Le Boréon.
  
• Day 3 Early start 6 am. Trek up through the Vallon des Erps and over Col Guille to access the summit of Cima des Brocan at 3054m. descend to Refugio Remondino.
  
• Day 4 Early start 6 am. Ascend summit of Cima sud Argentera at 3290m. descend via the acent route and back over Col Guille to return to Le Boréon. Pick up and transfer to your hotel at St Martin Vésubie, dinner in local restaurant.
  
• Day 5 Breakfast and return to Nice airport.

Suitable for

Your welfare & protection