My guide for Chamonix...

[train07]

i can attest....you will never be the same after a Gordman camp
train....now extremo mtn dude



nag nag nag.....i wake up at night in cold sweats







danger..smiley quota exceeded

[bbirtle]

str8line -- I knew you weren't asking for an opinion about guides and I wasn't intending to make a comment about whether you should or not in your particular case. It was just something on my mind and thought it might be a good time to bring up the topic (oops).

To answer your question, I've spent two winter seasons in Chamonix and one full year in Zermatt, with 250+ days spent ski mountaineering, skiing, and climbing here. I've done most of the major alpen peaks (Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, etc.) and 20 or so 4000m+ peaks on skis, as well as almost all the major Chamonix and Zermatt ski touring routes. More to the point, on the routes I've bumped into 100s of guides, talked to them and their clients, and gotten a good idea of what your average person is using guides for here.

Re "following tracks" - what I meant was, the fact you can look at the picture in your guidebook while you're looking at an existing track and they completely match up, and if there's any doubt you can ask one of the other 100 people you'll be certainly sharing the same exact route with, makes Chamonix an excellent place to do independently.

Re "guides being wholly unnecessary on lift accessible terrain", your case seems more like a ski clinic, which is obviously worth the cash. People come away being better skiers, and just the amount of superstars on the roster makes it well worth it! My point was that if you're doing a simple tour in the Aiguille Roughes or prowing for pow within the Les Grands Montets ski boundary - which is where I see most guides here employed - I just don't see the point for a majority of people.

I see your and Mulletizer's point about a guy new in town wanting to learn the terrain quickly and for some people this would be appealing... I guess for me and many others, cash is always a huge factor. In a place as "mapped out" as Chamonix (so many guidebooks, so easy to get information) it seems if you are hiring to find the hidden spots, it's actually pretty easy to find them by yourself.

Also I enjoy very much - and highly recommend - the satisfaction that comes with "doing things yourself." In a way that you look back and say "we did it right, we pushed our abilities just far enough but not too far, we did it safely, and it totally rocked". It's that feeling when you've done your homework on a route and feel confident, but are still not 100% sure what it will be like, and you must stay on your toes and fend for yourself. Even if this means a great deal of effort - lots of time on progressively more difficult routes, lots of gear to buy, lots of time reading up - I never feel as good about a wicked route if I feel like I've been sherped up.

Best wishes on your camp, I'm sure it will rock. Sorry for the excessively long post and sorry again for not being aware of your unique situation here.

Flamers let er rip - I'm off to bed and want to see a hilarous trail of douchbaggory when I check in the morning. Have a pleasant evening, maggots.

[bbirtle]

And back seat represent, yo.

I never claimed to be a great skiier. I just love this shit, and do my best to have fun getting down the mountain.

Edit: the coulour was like 45 degrees though and in pretty crusty conditions, with a lot of rocks hanging about (Franky's Couloir, Las Lenas) ... cut me a break!

[粉末雪]

I've done most of the major alpen peaks (Matterhorn, Mont Blanc, etc.) and 20 or so 4000m+ peaks on skis, as well as almost all the major Chamonix and Zermatt ski touring routes.

Cool. Have you done the East Face of the Matterhorn, the Marinelli, or the Mallory on the Aiguille?


Sorry I didn't return your PM. No offence.

[bbirtle]

粉末雪 - Hell no those routes are nuts! I met a guy that did the East Face of the Matterhorn though. And know some guys in Zermatt that are planning to be the first to ski the entire summit to Hornli Hut without any use of ropes. They appearently found a decent coulour on the North Face to get around the section of fixed lines (where sane people absail) and are waiting on a year with good conditions. Some crazy mo'fukas in this world... more power too em.

[iceman]

bbirtle, you should check out fellow maggot flingle's site, it might give you some ideas. Ot maybe it'll just scare the shit out of you, like it does to me.

edit:link fixed

[horizon]

Flamers let er rip - I'm off to bed and want to see a hilarous trail of douchbaggory when I check in the morning. Have a pleasant evening, maggots.

Now is it douchebaggery or douchbaggory? Ruling needed from an independent adviser, err, advisor.

(although what I'd be a lot more worried about is douche buggery)

[basom]

bbirtle, you should check out fellow maggot flingle's site

[str8line]

Now is it douchebaggery or douchbaggory? Ruling needed from an independent adviser, err, advisor.

(although what I'd be a lot more worried about is douche buggery)

Or is it doucheBirtlery?



























Oh come on, lighten up Brian.

[splat]

I'll let Tom drop the clues.

[FNG]

I almost cried laughing after bbirtle's first reply. Anyone have Tom Brady's email? I've got some suggestions on throwing touchdown passes that I'd like to run by him.

[Buddha]

The idol, the idolaters, and the golden cow. We must be in Utah by now.

[Magoo]

This will be a FANTASTIC camp!
I've had the good fortune to ski with both Francis and Gordy, and I am certain this will be an epic trip! You WILL ski some unbelievable, STEEP terrain.
I think Gordy's approach to this camp (wicked skiing AND European adventure) will make it unforgettable for those fortunate enough to attend it. You'd be hard pressed to book yourself a trip to Cham for the price, let alone a trip including full-time local guide (a way-cool guy!), Gordy's camp program, local transportations, etc, as well as the experiences this trip will generate.
Bring your skills, this camp will rock!

[skieurmalade]

happy birthday jeeezus! that is one of the sweetest pics I've ever seen!!!

thanks for the wallpaper phillingle!

[Idris]

Having skied with the Bbirtle - yes he does know how to navigate the moutains safely in winter - if needs be he would be capable of pulling you whining arse out of the bottom of a crevase - his pad is in downtown Cham.


But his steeze does need large amounts of work - he dosen't yet understand the brotherhood of maggots

[bad_roo]

Seeing how Gordy is organising this camp is illuminating for me. He is leaving no stone unturned, crossing the 't's, dotting the 'i's and making sure any French bureaucracy is properly drown. If, like me, you have atendency to half-ass and wing things, it's very reassuring.

[bbirtle]

...But his steeze does need large amounts of work ... he is a computer geek...and looks like one

Idris, as I recall I wasn't too far behind you yesterday (until we got to the long flat bit with my destroyed bases), and you aren't looking like a male model yourself there champ.

PS - Post some more pics (but in another thread is probably best) if you have any, from yesterday. Good time out there (six tracks in the whole thing!)

[Hayduke]

...... .... bureaucracy is properly drown........

How's Tokyo this time of year?

[bad_roo]

Sunny with frequent heavy showers from above.

[edg]

alpen peaks

I couldn't help myself I like to think of it as a cereal Kilimanjaro.

edg

[KANUTTEN]

Now has info about my camp on his Website.

Str8line; I have read about your camp and it sounds really interesting.

I have skied for 3.5 years, and feel really comfortable on red runs now. If I am really up for it, I might even try a black run. A couple of times last season me and my friend Charles even skied outside the slopes (so called off-piste).

I think I would really enjoy your camp. However, I am a little bit worried that your group doesn't fit my level of skiing. Your name indicates that you focus not too much on turning technique. Me on the other hand feel comfortable with both left and right turns, using both parallell skis and also plowing into the turn. So I am wondering whether your so called "camp" would be on a too elementary level for me. However, I don't mind skiing with inferior skiers ass long as the difference isn't too big.

Would you please indicate whether this "camp" would suit me?

[edg]

^ Gots ta love the Norwedge humour ^

edg

[Bzzzt]

the website was badass back in 2001 when I built it but it hasn't changed since... one of these days...

I like that it starts with an HTML end comment: "-->". Very nice. I also like the menu item "Web Guru", plus the fact that the menu does not work at all.

BTW, bbirtle: If you want to know more about guiding in Chamonix, there is a website here: http://www.chamonix.net/english/moun...uide_intro.htm

[Tectonically_Neglected]

Holy crap. Deep respect for the fingle...

[bbirtle]

Yes if you want some real inspiration, I highly recommend a look at Phil's website.

Bzzzt, the menus, and almost everything else, do work if you use IE 6... I haven't got around to FireFox compatibility yet... the website is very neglected due to just not enough time in the day...

Regarding the avitar, you may be interested to see my other Las Lenas pics: http://birtle.com/CarpeDiem/default..../6/3&event=650... lots of room in the other pics to flame on my poor steeze.