Aiguille Verte fell run?

I agree with Richard - there are possibilities for a 'running approach' to Alpine peaks, but you have to pick the right area. I visit the Maritime Alps above Nice every year for short multi-day peak-bagging tours before my kids arrive for a normal family on the coast. Eminently suitable to tackle fell-running style, which is what I do - wear innov-8s, carry OMM sac etc. Generally non-technical peaks, around 3000m, usually mildish scrambles with tricky route-finding and awkward terrain (not always runnable!). Some big snow patches, which make kahtoolas or similar advisable, although you can get away without them esp late season. Normally get the peaks to myself (locals do them on skis in spring).

Alan, don't lose sight of your initial ambition, you've just got a bit of an apprenticeship to serve before knocking off the Verte. There's plenty more to go at in the meantime though.

If you want to summit on some mountains in the Alps then in teh Chamonix valley, you've got all of the Aiguilles Rouges to go at with a great network of trails and several local races. I've spent several rainy days in the valley doing either of the Balcons du Nord or du Sud and it's something to do while waiting for the weather to improve so climbing can recommence. In the Aiguille Rouges themselves, there's a lot of rocky crests which are as hard as anything you'll find on Skye and these are big hills too - > 1000 m from valley floor to summit.

Your extra requirement to get above 3000 m makes me suggest that you should look elsewhere as all the stuff around that height in the Mont Blanc area has snow/ice around it. Get yourself down to the Ecrins where it's a bit further south, there's only one 4000 m summit and the glaciers are retreating faster than you can say Copenhagen. It's very rocky but there's some good high passes that make hut-to-hut runs feasible if you want to do some multi-day stuff. There's no lifts round here (although you're not far from the ski resorts of La Grave and Deux Alpes) and the views are fantastic. In particular, some of the mountains in the NW and the SW of this area give big outings without the need to cross any glaciers and yet get a good 3000 m summit with little more than scrambling involved.

All that said, these are big mountains, you'll certainly feel the altitude (it kicks in for me at about 2200-2300 m if I start from valley floor) and the weather can change with little warning - even the experienced get caught out. Snow and whiteouts in high summer at these altitudes are common and you should have enough in your sack to cope with it.

Enjoy the mountains! At the very least you'll get good at hill-climbing just get up out of the valleys!!

Oh, and I second the use of Kahtoolas (very lightweight crampons) if you need to shimmy across the odd snowfield. And learn to use an ice axe too, if you haven't already. They are pretty much obligatory if you're going on hard snow in summer and you can get very lightweight ones as used in ski touring.
Some other thoughts being as it's lunchtime: Most big glaciers are dry (and hence the crevasses are obvious and usually easily avoidable) and runnable. Getting on and off them is usually a technical and intellectual challenge, though. I've done a circuit around Argentiere taking in the Tour and Argentiere glaciers which was runnable in its entirety apart from the section off the Argentiere glacier up to the top of the Argentiere ski station which required crampons. I also can't stress enough the need for adequate covering of sun tan lotion :eek:

You'll need a bit more than Kahtoolas and Walshes Alan!

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Originally Posted by Alan Lucker

Is there anything around the area at 3000 m + that’s easy ish (not technical) in a day.

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Alan

I made 1 suggestion in an earlier post.

I have had a couple of weeks in and around Cham every year for about 15 years so know the area very well.

There are a few options for easy climbing, and I have done quite a few of the easier snow routes at PD or less.

I have run all over the Aiguilles Rouges, both day runs and multi-day trips with the Laserlight Comp, a few bits of kit and the wife for company.

If you would like a chat about options, PM me with your number and I'll give you a call.

If you have the maps handy, that would help.

Morgan

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Navigator

You'll need a bit more than Kahtoolas and Walshes Alan!

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I will have a go 1 day. But maybe serve my apprentice first, as advised earlier. It is now on my “to do” list. The goal is up and down in one continuous effort, before I turn 40...........Wearing Inov-8s.:D

For my trip I will look at the Aiguilles Rouges and do some other trail type runs further up around col du montets, and maybe beyond, maybe even courmayeur. I am going to spectate the TMB this year so I will be looking out for the Union jacks on the numbers, good luck to all of you entered.

Thanks for the offer BG sec but I only have Google earth to go on at the minute and, as is apparent, I am at the infancy stage in terms of knowledge of the mountains in the area. I think a bit more playing with Google earth away from the white stuff should get me a few good runs sorted. You have reminded me about my lack of maps though. Some mountain biking is on the agenda too. Any of you any tips on were to hire a bike. Thanks again for all the information.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alan Lucker

I will have a go 1 day. But maybe serve my apprentice first, as advised earlier. It is now on my “to do” list. The goal is up and down in one continuous effort, before I turn 40...........Wearing Inov-8s.:D

For my trip I will look at the Aiguilles Rouges and do some other trail type runs further up around col du montets, and maybe beyond, maybe even courmayeur. I am going to spectate the TMB this year so I will be looking out for the Union jacks on the numbers, good luck to all of you entered.

Thanks for the offer BG sec but I only have Google earth to go on at the minute and, as is apparent, I am at the infancy stage in terms of knowledge of the mountains in the area. I think a bit more playing with Google earth away from the white stuff should get me a few good runs sorted. You have reminded me about my lack of maps though. Some mountain biking is on the agenda too. Any of you any tips on were to hire a bike. Thanks again for all the information.

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Alan, the 2 IGN blue series maps at 1:25,000 are invaluable and a joy to look at! Widely available and also via Stanfords, the map people.

I'd be happy to make some recommendations either now or in due course if that would help.

Several bike hire places in Cham, easy to find. Took the kids for a day's MB a few years ago. Some quite hairy stuff if you fancy it. There are a couple of descent routes which involve going up in the cable car to Flegere then striaght back down. Have seen a few walking wounded pushing their bikes over the years.