Chris Ensoll Mountain Guide



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Summer Alpine Mountaineering

Information covered on this page:
Ratios and Routes | Guiding Fees | Accommodation |Preparation | Equipment | Insurance | Booking Conditions




I am available late June to early September each summer for guiding based in the Chamonix valley in France, the Saas valley in Switzerland, and elsewhere in the Alps. If you want to book a particular date but find that I am already booked, I should be able to arrange another Guide for you. All guiding is led by UIAGM/IFMGA Guides, guaranteeing the highest level of qualification and expertise. By booking your own Guide for yourself or your small group, you have lots of input into the content of your days out and the routes undertaken. If you have a particular ambition but don't have the experience or expertise to tackle it yourself, private guiding is the answer.

Ratios and Routes
The size of your group will determine the kind of challenges you can undertake. At 1:1 you are limited only by your own ability and aspirations - Matterhorn, Eiger, Täsch-Dom traverse, NE face of Liskamm, Aiguille Verte, absolutely anything! At 1:2 you could attempt Monte Rosa, Mont Blanc, Dent Blanche, Jungfrau, Petit Aiguille Vert, Aiguille de Tour, Dent de Geant. 1:3 would allow ascents of Weissmies and Gran Paradiso, and 1:4 limits you to straightforward 4000ers, such as Bishorn, Allalinhorn, Breithorn, Haute Route, Pigne d'Arolla, and glacier treks on straightforward glaciers.

Guiding Fees
The fees are £250 per Guide per day. In addition, the Guide's out-of-valley expenses (hut fees and telepheriques) must be met by you in the local currency (usually in the region of £140 in total for a five day period, depending on the programme and exchange rates). You must also pay your own hut fees and telepheriques, and your accommodation and food when in the valleys. The Reciprocal Rights Card gives reduced rates in some mountain huts, and is available to BMC members. You have to pay for the card, but it will pay for itself in just a few hut nights. Contact British Mountaineering Council on 0161 445 4747.

Accommodation
Check out the Accommodation in Europe page for ideas.

Preparation
The fitter you are, the more you will get out of your time with us, as all Alpine mountaineering requires considerable physical effort. Swimming, cycling, and hill-walking are all good preparation. We offer Alpine Dreamers days in the Lakes, which offer training including crevasse rescue and essential ropework.

Equipment List
Check out the Equipment for Summer Alpine Mountaineering page for a full list of all the kit you will need.
alps pinnacle
alps abseil Insurance
Insurance is absolutely essential when climbing abroad. You must ensure you are covered for rescue from the mountain environment, medical treatment, and cancellation, as well as all the normal things such as personal belongings. Standard holiday insurance does not cover for adventurous activities. Try either the British Mountaineering Council, tel 0161 445 4747, or Foundry Travel Services, tel 0114 275 5806 - both offer a range of services.

Booking Conditions
Please send a non-refundable deposit cheque with your booking form: £250 per booking for up to 6 days guiding; £500 per booking for 7 days or more. The balance of the fee will be due 14 days before the start of the course. If the booking is made within 14 days of the guiding start date, please send the full fee with the booking form. If you cancel for any reason and we cannot fill your date, we will expect you to pay the full fee as arranged and claim from the insurance company as appropriate. If we fill your date, we will refund your fee less the deposit. If we cancel, we will refund any money paid in full.




Contact me with your ideas - call on 07775 630 488 or send me an email to info@chris-ensoll.com or fill in and send the enquiry form