Climbing, Via Ferrata & Potholing

Most famous for Mont Blanc (4807 metres), the Haute-Savoie region also offers other classic peaks such as the Drues, the Aiguille Verte or the Grandes Jorasses. The region offers challenges for mountaineers and climbers of all abilities, though we recommend that novices or newcomers to the Alps are accompanied by a qualified mountain guide.

The Haute-Savoie has 3 mountain guide associations. Guides are highly trained and experienced professionals who can organise set courses or special programmes upon request, including:

• Ice, snow and rock climbing: all levels, half day programmes. Courses lasting 3 to 6 days: all levels including: Introduction to Mountaineering (ice, snow and rock climbing), Techniques in Leading a Rope Party, Safety and First Aid in Mountain Environments.
• Peak climbing: excursions lasting half a day to 3 days
• High mountain treks
• Mountain hut programme
• Special programmes for children

Via Ferrata

Via Ferrata is the name commonly used to describe the high-level footpaths found in the Alps that use fixed cables for protection and steel ladders to surmount difficult sections (another name is Klettersteig).

Originally Via Ferrata were constructed in the Italian Dolomites and Austrian Tyrol to enable troop movements in during the First World War. After the war these protected high-level paths were taken over by mountain guides who used them as an easy way to get clients to the foot of climbs. Gradually the network was extended by these guides and Via Ferratas became a pastime in their own right. In recent years other countries have noticed the increase in tourist revenue that the Italian Via Ferratas have engendered and now modern, and in many cases, steep and exposed Via Ferratas can be found all over the Alps.

Although they break just about every rule of aesthetic mountaineering ("Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints" etc), Via Ferrata are very enjoyable and highly popular, and give nearly everyone, adults and children alike, an opportunity to move through spectacular and often extremely exposed alpine scenery with a minimum of equipment.

Potholing

The Haute-Giffre mountains are full of holes and caves of all sorts making up an exceptional underground network eroded through the layers of limestone by underground streams through the centuries. The valley's reputation is worldwide. The Jean Bernard Hole (-1602 metres) is situated above the Refuge de Foly and in 1981 the world record depth for potholing was achieved here, finishing 70 metres below the streets of the village. The Miranda Hole (-1610 metres) located just above the Criou chalets has since exceeded this record. There are professional guides who can descend you into this magical underground world and we recommend that you do not enter the holes without a guide or without having consulted a guide.

For all the above activities we recommend the following guide associations:

Guide Associations

Compagnie des Guides du Haut-Giffre Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 34 43 12

Compagnie des Guides of Chamonix 190, place de l'Eglise - 74400 Chamonix Mont Blanc Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53 00 88

Compagnie des Guides of Saint-Gervais 114 avenue du Mont Paccard - 74400 Saint Gervais Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 47 73 52

The International Association des Guides of Mont Blanc 98 rue des Moulins - 74400 Chamonix Tel: +33 (0) 4 50 53 27 05