I've realised I want to do some more mountaineering.

I'd like to go to the Alps this summer since I've never climbed there before, however going there on my own to solo up some mountain is somewhat of a stupid thing to do, hence I need a bit of help.
Either way, it will take some planning and research before I even start thinking about booking tickets, so I thought I'd put a post up here and pick the brains of those knowledgeable stoats who have been to the Alps.

Does anybody have any advice/books/web sites/places to go/routes to do which they could recommend?
I know this is somewhat of a long-shot, however, is anybody going to the Alps who wouldn't mind me tagging along?
[I'm collapsible, and can fit into a small rucksack + I'm known to dispense Nutrigrain bars, chocolate and pineapple]

Thanks in advance.

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"I'm not mad, I just see things differently"
No longer VP : But still Vaguely Philippino
FYI: Actions speak louder than wombats

JCB - there is a course called the "Conville Course" which is a three day course subsidised by a trust fund and organised through the BMC. A number of UBMC members have done it, including me. Its a good course.

I will try and find some stuff, but some googling / BMC website should help.

You have to apply but I would think you would be an ideal candidate. It (in previous years) was based out of a campsite in Chamonix which puts you in an ideal place for all sorts of climbing.

Plenty of pictures in my Facebook album.

Have no fear James!!

I will be running a Pre-alpine evening for anyone who's interested in going to the alps this summer, it will probably take place at the start of the last week of this term. Details will Follow shortly...

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Girls like three things: Danger, Boners and R1oss' guns.

a post all about the conville course will be apearing soon on FTR. i am also thinking about applying for it and going to the alps this summer, but it would only be for a short period of time. to get the heads up, visit
http://www.thebmc.co.uk/News.aspx?id=2957
http://www.pyb.co.uk/courses/conville.php
with regard to guide books, places to go etc i'd talk to Alek, Starley, Neil, Tom G, Shaggy, Tom M etc etc

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VP '08-'09

Awesome. Thanks for the replies! I'm definitely considering the conville course. & I'll be at that meeting Tom, if there's the possibility of going to the alps this summer.

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"I'm not mad, I just see things differently"
No longer VP : But still Vaguely Philippino
FYI: Actions speak louder than wombats

The conville course is the best thing since sliced bread. it's a three day course subsuidesed by the BMC. it costs £62 but should be around £200!!! it's three days and goes into kit, navigation, route finding, huts, glacier travel, crevasse rescue with you doing a route on the third day. loads of the old gits have done the course (bout 20 of us) and it is definately worth it. it is not aimned at experience climbers, but compitant novices who want to shag safely in the alps. it is mainly aimed at students and goes on every three days for around 2 months over the summer so there are loads of students staying at the camp site where it is based. This means you dont have to go with a big group to have partners (although in a big group it is a laugh!!) some of my best routes have been done with randoms i met at the campsite!! the course is one experienced mountain guide to three students.

ideally you want to go for at lweaat 3 weeks with doing the course at the beginning. but the longer out there the better for fitness, getting to know your way around and aclimatisation. i usually went for 5-6 weeks and some even went to 2 months!! you can do it pretty cheap if you camp in the valley, bivi in the mountains, walk into the climbs rather than getting cable cars and are happy eating amazing cheap french bread and cheese:)

I have a copy of my application still from year ago if anyone wants it, and am happy to give a list of good first season climbs.

definately go and do it, it's a great summer !!!!! - you're students, when you get a job then it is time for crap summers working in the uk!!

martin

PS applications need to be in by the end of the month i think!?!?!?!?!?

yes, 27th March. apply online from the Play-y-Brenin website or follow links from the BMC site.

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VP '08-'09

James I'll definately go with you! Lets try and get a group of UBMC members going it will be awesome!

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Unlevel-headed member of team Gadd-vey

Cheif Scout

If anyone is thinking of going to the alpes this summer i will be out there already but am looking to stay another week or so around the 10th august-17th august after my family goes back, if any ones about would be great to meet up.

The more people going out, the better it'll be.

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"I'm not mad, I just see things differently"
No longer VP : But still Vaguely Philippino
FYI: Actions speak louder than wombats

if there are a number of people going - then i definatly suggest you look into the possibilty of driving. it makes it marginally cheaper, and means that you are not stuck in one place - you can follow the good weather!

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Mountain sec .... once upon a time

especially as it looks like easy jet are not flying birmingham-geneva from about april

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Mountain sec .... once upon a time

Both driving and flying are possible (I have done both) and so is a coach, and less so, train.

Driving is not necessarily cheaper but is more flexible. Easyjet from Birmingham - Geneva is only a winter route but you can still fly cheaply to Geneva from other airports (for example Luton, which you can get National Express directly to).

Get on the case with Conville, if you have any questions just ask

My Conville Photos

I may be interested in going this year, depending on money and whether I have a job at the time, anyone else up for going by car?

do you know when that changed Starley? its really annoying!

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Mountain sec .... once upon a time