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The Haute Route Challenge by Matthew McKaig

20-28 March 2010

RICS England - West Director Matthew McKaig will be undertaking the Haute Route Challenge in March 2010 to raise funds for LionHeart and Help for Heroes (He is establishing two 'Just Giving' sites; one for each charity)

Matthew says "The trip is being put together by an old friend of mine who has just spent 18 months in New Zealand, where even the 'oldies' (50 plus) get out and about bungee jumping, doing Iron Man type stuff, run marathons and climbing mountains. Now he's back in the UK, he's brought with him a new evangelism as regards his more sedentary UK counterparts and has persuaded 6 of us to eschew our pipe and slippers in favour of the Great Outdoors..."

The Haute Route is perhaps the most famous ski journey of all, the classic traverse of the western Alps from Chamonix to Zermatt. For many people the Haute Route is the ultimate ski tour and is a suitable follow-on to the Introductory Ski Mountaineering course. The Haute Route tour is 7 days, to allow flexibility in case of bad weather. Participants overnight in a succession of mountain huts and finish by skiing down past the Matterhorn to the colourful resort of Zermatt.

Outline Programme

Day 1: Course participants meet at the course base at 7pm. Briefing on the week's activities in the evening.

Day 2-7: Ski the Haute Route. Starting up either the Tour or Argentière Glaciers, we cross 1 or 2 cols to the Plateau du Trient and descend to Champex. From here several possible routes lead to the Arolla valley and on to Zermatt. The Guides will select the best route according to conditions and the ability of the team. There are several summit opportunities along the way, including the Pigne d'Arolla (3,796m), Tete Blanche (3,724m) and the Tete de Valpelline (3,802m).

Day 8: Extra day in case of bad weather. If not used on the journey, we will spend it off-piste skiing in Zermatt or Chamonix.

Day 9: Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before climbers leave the course.

Please support Matthew

Matthew will personally cover the cost of his entry fee, so all the proceeds will go to Lionheart and Help for Heroes.