Joint Alpine Meet – Argentiere 2015

Joint with AC, ABMSAC, FRCC, SMC, LSCC, Wayfarers and Yeovil MC

As it has been many years since the Joint Alpine Meet was based in the Chamonix valley, Argentiere proved to be very popular with 80 people from seven clubs attending over the three week period, the numbers peaking at 65 in the middle week. Due to the small size of the campsite and not being able to book, the numbers unfortunately had to be restricted, the first time I have known this happen. My apologies to those who were not able to get a place.

The meet coincided with end of a 5 week heat wave with regular temperatures of 35°C and above. This had a detrimental effect on the glaciers and the snow cover with a many open crevasses, impassable bergshrunds and rock fall. The Office de Haute Montagne conditions reports made sad reading as the list of mountains and routes which were out of condition increased with every report. The new Refuge du Gouter was closed for much of the season due to rock fall in the approach couloir.

The most popular Alpine routes were the Domes de Miage, Aiguille du Tour by the normal route and the Arête de la Table, Aiguille Purtcheller, Tete Blanche, Cosmiques Arête, Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. Members also travelled into Switzerland and Italy to climb the Weissmies, Dom, Grand Combin and Punta Giordani.

Many rock routes were climbed in the Aiguille Rouge where members took advantage of the discounted lift tickets to gain easy access via the Flegere and Brevent lift systems. More routes were climbed from the Refuge d’Argentiere, the Refuge de l’Envers des Aiguilles and the Cabane d’Orny in Switzerland. The valley crags also saw plenty of action with the Gaillands, Rocher du Saix near Vallorcine, Aiguillette d’Argentiere and Les Cheserys being the most popular.

The mountain walkers were also well catered for with an almost endless network of paths, possibly the greatest achievement being Jeremy Whitehead’s ascent of Mont Buet at the age of 84.

The big events in Chamonix and Argentiere during the meet were the celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Golden Age of Mountaineering in which the Alpine Club played a key role with the loan of about 200 items from their archives. Many members visited the exhibitions on rest days or bad weather days (remarkably few) this being a very rare opportunity to see “The Treasures of the Alpine Club” on display in Chamonix’s Alpine Museum. The exhibition is on until 17 April 2016 and is well worth a visit if you are in the area.

The end of the meet was marked with a barbeque on the campsite laid on by expats Flo and Ryan, which was enjoyed by the remaining 32 participants.

Our thanks must go to Audrey and Julian from Camping du Glacier D’Argentiere who managed to accommodate everybody despite a full and maybe at times over full campsite. Also to Claire Burnet from the Chamonix Tourist Office who organised the discounted lift passes as well as the “Golden Age of Mountaineering” exhibitions.

I hope to see you all again next year. Keep an eye on the club meets calendar for next year’s venue.

Keith Lambley

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