Alpine Mountaineering Week in the French Alps, Aug 2011

Having just returned from yet another fabulous Alpine-Oasis Alpine Mountaineering week out in the mountains - this one has certainly given us something to chew over...
We had a team of 6 from Ireland who had come over to the Alps specifically to climb Mont Blanc - and they had been training for this for a while and collecting money for charity...
The weather pretty much up to their arrival had been too hot in the valley...which meant trouble up on the mountain...
Essentially what I believe had been happening over a period of weeks on Mont Blanc is that the ice was thawing - which holds the rocks in place...quicker than it usually does...and then when the night-time temperature was also higher than normal it meant that the ice didn't re-freeze as quickly or as efficiently as previously...and therefore at some stage about a week or so ago - there was a big rock fall...
The reports of the rock fall were spread throughout the climbing and Mountain Guide community...and the Office du Haute Montagne in Chamonix were suggesting that the route was too dangerous and that you should not attempt it....
The huts (Tete Rousse and Gouter) were still open and clearly some people were still attempting the route...and there were reports of the Cosmiques Refuge filling up quickly - as this is another potential route up the mountain - although a lot longer and harder....
Our Mountain Guides made the decision not to attempt the climb ....and so we had to re-think our plans and find a suitable alternative climb...
The first few days of the week were not affected anyway as we had always planned on getting some altitude and some "ice -school" training (use of crampons and ice axe, crevasse rescue etc) and to do this we headed up to the Tre la Tete  Refuge from our Alpine base in the beautiful village of Les Contamines...and from there onwards and upwards to the Conscrit Refuge...one of the best mountain refuges (and most expensive) there is....
After 2 nights on the mountain and several excursions up to the Col de Miage and Mont Tondu the team re-appeared in Contamines for a quick breather...
The plans had all been torn apart and put back together - and after a short rest we picked up our other Mountain Guides and headed down to Passy for one of the best via-ferratas ever...what a head-game...you know you're safe - but you're also sure you're about to fall off....
The next day we loaded up and drove through the Mont Blanc tunnel to Courmayeur (Italy) and onto Pont...where we booted up and climbed for a couple of hours up to the Chabod Refuge...
After a belly full of pasta (well we are in Italy), early night - and ready for a 4am start...
The morning is dark but warm - and we start our climb at about 5am - the objective being the summit of Grand Paradiso (4100m) - a beautiful mountain with spectacular views...
Everyone summits...in glorious weather - and some of the crew even do the via-ferrata on the way up...
A long descent back down to Pont for a welcome and well deserved beer....

Ultra & Trail Running Week in the French Alps, August 2011- the details....

Feedback & comments from our runners on the Alpine Oasis Ultra Trail Running Camp:

“I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you for a fantastic week, everything about the week far exceeded my expectations and between, you, Phil and Andy you put on an excellent week which was fun, beautiful and interesting with a great mix of relaxation and running. So thanks to you all! I will definitely be recommending the week and participating on other weeks/weekends again in the future!”

“This was meant to be for me”

Yet another fantastic week of running and hills and views and good food….learning new skills and techniques and all taking place in the beautiful village of Les Contamines at the foot of Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

The shape of our week depends on the ambitions and objectives of our runners…as we do our best to tailor our courses specifically for our runners…

Our early morning runs and workouts are always popular – although most of our runners always declare that they might not take part at first….given the start time is 7am….

However we’ve not yet had anyone miss a morning…..

Warm up runs to the quaint La Chapelle at the far end of the valley, plus gym work out sessions in the skate park are some of our routines….always back in time for a big breakfast and a quick change….and then into the main part of the day….

Our first day out is always a surprise for our runners…as the size of the hills is not something they have usually encountered previously or can even comprehend when looking at them….

We usually set off from the village (1000m altitude) and end at the Tre la Tete (1900m altitude) – taking in the delightful Lac Armancette en route – and trying to figure out why the Lac still has tadpoles in it in late August…?!

The view of the whole of the Val Montjoie seen from the Tre la Tete is totally absorbing….or is it because we’re already knackered…?.

Another day will see us running through & along the limestone plateau region of the Aravis Mountains…up to an altitude of about 1800m …the climb to this altitude is un-relenting and our coach & ultra runner Andy Mouncey starts to introduce different ways of managing the hills….of which surprisingly there are quite a few (including crawling up them on your hands and knees…)

Because of the position of the Aravis – from the ridge you can get a total panoramic view of the whole of the Mont Blanc Massif – on the other side of the valley….snow capped peaks (including Mont Blanc) and fabulous peaks & ridge lines…well worth the uphill.

The run is delightful – you’re high up – but not as high as you can go…the limestone radiates the heat…and we all return to the (slightly) cooler valley exhausted and elated..

To top this day out we take a bit of a break – and manage a bit of retail therapy and sleep before driving round to Chamonix for the start of our night run – which is also the first part of the UTMB course….

Starting from the now famous archway (which is already in place proclaiming the 2011 UTMB start line) at about 6.30/7pm we run out of Chamonix towards Les Houches and then start the climb up and over the Col de Voza, dropping down into St Gervais…

By the time we’re starting the climb – its head torches on – and silence descends on the group..At the top of the Col we get a great view of the starry sky…and then start the descent with Joy (our International Mountain Leader) leading the pack we hurtle down into the sleepy village of St Gervais – to be met by the Alpine Oasis crew with dry/warm clothes, fluid, snack and pizza!

Allowing a little extra time for everyone to sleep in and re-charge batteries – the next day we set off at about 11am for a walk/ run up to the Col du Bonne Homme….which is one of the legs of the UTMB…

This is a great day out as the first part takes us along the old Roman Road up past La Balme and the views and sights at each twist & turn are pretty breathtaking…

From La Balme we head up to the Col du Bonehomme at 2483m and then a slight drop down to the refuge at 2443m where we are spending the night…

By this stage the runners are so tired that’s its early to bed – and no-one hears the helicopter which lands directly outside our dormitory the following morning as everyone is so soundly asleep….!

After a quick warm up run to the Tete Nord (2756m) and a few great shots of Mont Blanc the team wiz back down to the valley in record time….

Stu Mills joins us for the evening meal and the runners quiz and question him and Andy Mouncey (both who are doing the UTMB – but have also raced together previously in the Lakeland 100) on their training, their plan for the UTMB, their running strategies etc etc

Our last full day is a mixture of running and walking…but all with a purpose - as our International Mountain Leader (Phil Coates) sets us map reading tasks for the day, gets us to point out where we are on the map and lead us from point a to be…along with more practice running with poles (whilst navigating) …..Our setting for the day is Mont Jolie…but this time we get to ride up to the first stage in the cable car…yippee…..

We’re back down into the valley for early afternoon as we need to sort ourselves out to get round to Chamonix in time for the UTMB….

And what about the UTMB….?

Well – the start time was supposed to be 6.30pm – but because of the bad weather that was forecast to come in – the start was delayed until 11.30pm…which was communicated to the runners by late morning on the Friday….

The bad weather did arrive – and stayed…and the 2300 runners left Chamonix at 11.30pm in full waterproofs…..

We watched the start and then scooted round to Les Contamines to watch them come through the village – which is one of the major feed stations on the route and the last before the big ascent of the Col du Bonne Homme….

We see both Stu and Andy through the village…at about 3 – 3.30am…..the volunteers will be out on the course all night – but we head home for a bit of rest before picking up the race again tomorrow…

Saturday online reports are alarming – high winds up on the mountains, snow & ice on the Bonatti, driving rain and cold most of the night – and the drop out rate increases massively….

Our two runners drop out at Cormayeur….they’ve both had a great race but the elements have conspired against them…

Onwards & upwards…a great race and plenty for us all to chew over in the next few weeks….and here’s to another great Trail & Ultra Trail Running holiday…..

Ultra & Trail Running Week in the French Alps, August 2011

With 6 clients across 3 nationalities, Alpine-Oasis hosted their second residential week introduction to high mountain ultra running in UTMB country, with a chance to take in the UTMB race experience as one of the highlights. Tiiu, Cluadia, Zara, Claire, Lilly & Simon covered more ground, climbing and descending in stunning alpine scenery than they thought possible – yet by the end of the week were so full of energy that they were asking for more!

Alpine-Oasis Trail Running weeks offer a unique blend of mountain and ultra running skills, & powerful insights into the mental and emotional strategies needed for enjoyment & success in this sport. Lead coach & ultra runner Andy Mouncey (www.bigandscaryrunning.com) is supported by Chamonix-based International Mountain Leader Joy O’Flanagan (www.mountainbalance.com) & International Mountain Leader & film-maker Phil Coates (www.philcoates.tv) They are a combination which inspires & equips their clients beyond the life of any running retreat. As Lilly remarked at the end of the week: ‘This was meant to be for me.’

Ingleton - Ultra Trail Running Camp July 2012

Another fabulous weekend of hills, more hills and yet more hills as the Alpine Oasis Trail Running team took the runners through their paces...
This was the first "short" weekend we have organised - just 2 days of running and mountain skills...
The Saturday started with a 7am pre-breakfast jaunt around the Ingleton waterfalls  - the only time in the day when you can go round the waterfalls without meeting millions of tourists!
After breakfast we took to the hills and ran up and down Ingleborough, stopping on the way to admire the views and pick up on some new techniques...
After a short break for a bit of retail therapy - (new hydration sacks needed!) the team went up & down  Whernside ...and then a much deserved large plate of fish & chips...
Sunday started again with a pre-breakfast run around High Bentham, followed by another hill (Pen Y Ghent...) and lots of time spent running with poles, map reading (and yet again - we didn't get lost), talking first aid and feet ...and lots more....
And a few comments for the runners.....

" I had a fantastic time and I learnt a lot. I really feel that I have a much clearer vision of how to take the next step with the ultra training and racing and in fact I am looking forward to it because it seems so much more simple and pared down. No worrying about pacing and miles etc.... I love the simplicity of just purely getting the miles in my legs."

Sort of says it all.....

This is a great weekend for those who are starting out on the Trail Running/Ultra Running journey...you'll learn lots and have a great time....

Keswick: Ultra Trail Running Camp - May 2011

What a weekend ...talk about mixed weather...Friday was wet & windy all morning - 7am morning run in the valley was ok but then nice soggy feet as we were going up Blencathra later that morning...
Made the decision to go up Sharp Edge as Phil Coates (our Mountain Leader) had one eye on the weather all the time and said it was "shifting round"....and yep - as we were hanging onto Sharp Edge a few moments later - the sun came out and it was fabulous.....
After 5 hours on the hills practising our navigation, using the compass and being taught how to run with poles we only just made it back down and into Keswick for Andy Mouncey's talk at the Mountain Festival on "Ultra Running Made Ultra Simple"...pretty exhausting day all in...

Saturday shaped up as: early morning run followed by a session on kit, hydration, maps and a foot session (!) - neatly followed by a bit of retail therapy and chill time in Keswick before preparations for the night run.
So the night run - after a bowl of pasta we drove round to our start at Wasdale Head...and as predicted by Mr Weather man (aka Phil Coates) the weather set in for the night - rain and high winds for the first part of the run - up Black Sail Pass and down into Buttermere...where we were met for the first pit stop with a welcome cuppa and eccles cakes...
Buttermere to Braithwaite and more tea and cakes...and by this point the weather has turned awful ...driving rain, we're all soaked - but we're all grinning...and then onto what turns out to be our last pit stop at a car park near Skiddaw...we decide to call it a day - as the rest of the planned route is too exposed...

And a few comments from our runners....
"I wanted to thank you all again for what was one of the most atmospheric, enjoyable, educational and inspiring weekends I have ever had. I was a real privilege to spend time with you all and take on a tiny portion of your vast knowledge and experience. You have helped to set me on the start of a trail to bigger, better and more fun things". (the "Grinning Monster")

"I loved last Saturday with you all, can't believe how much I learnt in such a short space of time, one thing for sure anytime spent with Andy coaching whatever age and ability would see a huge benefit.

Although the weather was atrocious it was actually really good to experience conditions like that yet feel so safe in the company I was with" (Helen).

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