High Road in Paradise: Hut-to-Hut in the Italian Alps
Saturday August 15 – Saturday August 29
Join us for an adventure of a lifetime: 13 days of trekking in the shadow of Mont Blanc,
the highest peak in Europe, and Gran Paradiso, the tallest peak in Italy. We’ll traverse
many high passes with astounding views. Along the way we will cross vast meadows of
blooming alpine flowers, skirt immense glaciers, and visit charming mountain villages all
under the watchful eye of massive glaciated peaks.
We will follow the Alta Via 2 (translated “High Road”) and a day of the Alta Via 1, a long
distance trekking route tucked in the northwestern corner of Italy, next to France, at the
edge of the Valle D’Aosta. The famous Tor des Geants endurance race, held every
September, follows the same path around the entire valley. We will also divert from the
Alta Via 2 to more fully explore the stunning Gran Paradiso national park, the oldest
national park in Italy. When combined with its abutting parks in France, the area is one of
the largest reserves in Europe. Gran Paradiso was founded as a hunting preserve for the
King of Italy and hence today has an abundance of otherwise rare mountain Ibex, chamois,
and other mountain flora and fauna. We will observe these rare animals quietly grazing
close by or skittering up sheer rock faces nearby on virtually every day of our trip.
In 13 hiking days, we will trek 98 miles in the high peaks and scenic valleys with many
days reaching over 10,000 ft. Our highest altitude will be almost 11,000 feet! Most days
we will climb 3,000 feet or more. Although most of the trail is graded with switchbacks
and wide, sandy footing, portions are narrow, steep and exposed—all the better to view the
incredible panoramas of endless high snowy peaks. Although we will not be carrying full
backpacking gear (see Equipment List at the end of this document), because we are staying
in comfortable refuges and hotels, it will be a physically demanding trip.
Some of our trip will feel remote and pristine, with only trails and lonely mountain huts as
evidence of civilization. Other parts of the trail pass charming Alpine villages steeped in a
cultural history comprising primarily French and Italian influences. We will even
encounter medieval castles and Roman ruins in the ancient city of Aosta where our
adventure begins. Virtually every building in the area either has been there for centuries or
has been carefully built to emulate the historical architectural style. We will take full
advantage of this rich culture by learning about the local history, sampling delicious and
varied cuisines, and admiring different architectural styles. To help us better understand the
local culture, history, geology, flora and fauna, a local naturalist and cultural guide will
join us for two days. A trained architect, and expert mountaineer, he will help us appreciate
the unique beauty, history, ecology, and culture of the area.
ACCOMMODATIONS/RIFUGI
We will spend each night in rifugi, hostels, or small village inns. Unlike the AMC huts in
the White Mountains, Italian rifugi serve beer and wine, and often have full bars. Snacks
and beverages are typically available at most times. Beds are comfortable, the food
delicious, and most have hot showers. Although all accommodations are very clean and
comfortable, they will not be luxurious, except for their 5-star views! We will typically get
beds in bunkrooms for 4-12 people. Blankets and pillows are provided, but we must bring
sleeping bag liners (a.k.a. sleep sacks) to be used instead of sheets.
Many of the rifugi, like Rifugio Miserin, are restored historical buildings, while others are
recent construction like Rifugio Chabod.
ITINERARY
After setting out from Aosta, our trip follows the Alta Via 2 from the charming mountain
village of Chardonney to the bustling climbing mecca Courmayeur, with several
excursions to other trails that take us more deeply into the high peaks of Gran Paradiso
National Park. We will then follow the Alta Via 1 and related trails for an up close and
personal view of the massive Mt Blanc and La Gran Jordasses, with an overnight at
Rifugio Bonatti. From there we will take public transportation back to Courmayeur and
onto the Roman city of Aosta, where we began our trip.
A typical day will have us waking up at 6:30am and on the trail by 8:30am. We may pass
other villages or rifugi along the way and enjoy homemade pastry and a cold (or hot!)
beverage along with our lunch or snack. Most days we will arrive at our destination by 4 or
5 p.m.
Dinner is usually at 7:00pm. Most dinners are substantial and delicious, with several
different courses. Cuisine in the area is strongly influenced by neighboring France. In fact,
French is spoken almost as much as Italian in the entire Aosta region. Most people are in
bed by 9-10pm.
Below is a day-by-day summary of our trek. The leaders reserve the right to change the
itinerary for reasons such as weather, trail conditions, availability of accommodations, and
group preferences.
The Aosta area tourist bureau has an Alta Via guide at
http://www.lovevda.it/gestione/depliant/allegati_file.asp?pk_depliant_allegato=57&pk_de
pliant=49&campo=vers_completa&accesso=web&pk_lingua=3 which must be saved as a
.pdf. Please keep in mind that Murphy’s Law suggests the url may change by the time you
go looking!
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
This is a strenuous hike geared towards the outdoors adventurer who also appreciates a
warm bed and cultural exploration and a group to share it with. Since breakfast, dinner and
lodging are provided we will be traveling light, with backpacks in the range of 20-30
pounds fully loaded. The average full day is 8.4 miles long with a gain/loss of well over
3,000’, although we will have two half days where we can rest. Our largest single day
ascent is over 4,600 feet and our largest descent is 4,600 feet. Our highest point will be
10,800 feet and most days will reach elevations of around 9,000 feet. Most overnight stops
are lower, but our highest overnight stay is at 8,600 feet.
You should have at least intermediate to advanced hiking skills. While no technical
climbing is required, there are some portions of narrow trail on rock scree slopes, and
possibly snowfields. We may use ladders or ropes bolted to the mountainside for short
ascents of steep terrain, although these will not be common on our route, which for the
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most part has good footing. We will hike at a moderate pace. There will be often be route
options that will be discussed with the group and decisions will be made as we go based on
interest, stamina, and conditions. For more specific information about the kind of
experience we are looking for, please read about the Experience and Risks section below.
We expect a group size of 12 people, including the 2 leaders. This trip is likely to fill
quickly. If you are interested, you should apply as soon as possible. When registration is
complete, we will send all participants the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all
those going on the trip.
We plan to schedule an optional pre-trip hike so that accepted participants can meet each
other prior to the trip. This will also be an opportunity to discuss any final questions you
may have about the trip and to find out what others besides the leaders are thinking.
Details TBD.
We are good communicators and will try very hard to keep everyone well informed. We
will be using email as our primary source of communication to accepted participants as a
group.
COST
The trip cost is $2,330 for AMC members. Non-members can join for $50, and get the
same price. This will cover the following items:
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Lodging, breakfasts, and dinners for the duration of the trip
Public transportation during the trip
Emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage
AMC major excursion overhead fee
Lunches, trail snacks, alcohol, cable/gondola rides, and other personal expenses are NOT
included, nor are air or ground transportation to our starting and from our ending point to
the airport. Dinner and lodging only on the arrival day and breakfast only on the
departure day. Simple lunches are easily obtained at rifugi or at villages along the way.
While you must pay for and book your own transportation to Italy (and to the starting and
ending points within Italy) the trip leaders will advise you as necessary. We will provide
train and bus schedules and consult with you on your plans. The closest airport is Turin,
although Milan, Geneva, and many other places are within striking distance. At this time,
we estimate that the cost of a good (no more than 1 stop, no long layovers or major
detours) round trip ticket between the East Coast and Europe will be in the vicinity of
$1,200-1,600.
We advise you to consider arriving a day ahead of time to recover from the overnight
flight, and to adjust before the trip to European time and the increased altitude. The
leaders and some participants will arrive early in Europe, and stay on after the AMC trip
for a few days or more of personal travel.
The final trip cost will be adjusted to reflect currency fluctuations and the best final
arrangements we can make. Any savings we achieve, as well as any unforeseen cost
increases, will be passed back to you. Our cost estimates are very conservative, and so a
refund is likely. Increased cost is exceedingly unlikely.
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Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing both of the
leaders' costs. The subsidy from each participant is limited to 20% of one leader’s costs.
Beyond this, the leaders are not compensated or allowed to realize any profit from this
excursion. The trip price also includes an AMC overhead fee to cover the administrative
expenses of offering Travel Adventures, including the trip's publication in AMC Outdoors
for several months, and emergency support from AMC staff.
The trip fee includes emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage, which is
required by the AMC. It does not include insurance for travel delay, interruption, or
cancellation, or for baggage loss. Therefore, if you are concerned about these possibilities,
we suggest that you purchase individual travel insurance. If your application is accepted,
we will send you a link to an AMC recommended vendor, although you are free to use
whatever vendor you choose.
Any unspent funds will be refunded to the participants. If the trip’s financial position is
strong enough at the start, the leaders may make partial refunds during the trip, in the form
of payments toward some meals and/or free time activities which would otherwise not be
included.
REGISTRATION and CANCELLATION
To apply, you must request, complete, and submit the Application, Confidential Medical
form, and Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk and Release form (all available on
request), enclosing a registration deposit of $500. You will not actually be accepted, and
your check will not be deposited, until the leaders have determined by telephone
conversation with you that the trip seems to be a good fit for you. A second payment of
$500 is due two weeks after your acceptance. The final balance of $1330 is due June 1,
2015. Deposit checks from wait-listed applicants will not be cashed until we accept them
AND they confirm continued interest. Please make payments by check payable to the
Appalachian Mountain Club.
Our cancellation policy is based on several considerations. Cancellation by one participant
will not be allowed to raise the cost to the other participants or to the leaders. Published
minimum penalty schedule: zero before February 2015, $200 in February-April, and $400
after April 2015. If actual costs (expenses already incurred on your behalf, and any
unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred as a result of your registration and
cancellation) are higher, they will be assessed instead, unless they can be applied toward
another acceptable participant. That means if another qualified participant cannot be found
to replace you, you may have to forfeit substantially more than the minimum payment.
In the unlikely event that the trip is cancelled because not enough acceptable participants
apply, everything you have paid will be refunded in full.
EXPERIENCE and RISKS
This trip is demanding and strenuous, involving significant elevation change nearly every
day of the trip. It also reaches elevations of 10,800 feet. Although this elevation should
not be high enough for properly conditioned people to contract acute mountain sickness
(AMS), the combination of physical exertion and slightly lower oxygen levels require that
we pace ourselves and pay attention to proper nutrition and hydration. People wishing to
participate in this trip must have previous backpacking experience, at the intermediate
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level or higher. Several of the days are long (up to 11 miles) and strenuous. You need to
be prepared to commit yourself to keeping in shape between the time you sign up for the
trip and the time you depart on it.
When you participate in this activity, you should be prepared both physically and mentally,
and equipped with the appropriate gear. You should always be aware of the risks involved
and conduct yourself accordingly. We are not responsible for your safety; you are. Prior
to your being accepted as a participant in this trip, you will be asked to discuss your
capabilities and experience with us. Please do not be offended by our questions. They are
for your safety and for the safety of the group.
The weather is likely to be temperate and sunny, although there is always a possibility of
some precipitation. That said, mountain climate is unpredictable and can range from 25 to
75 degrees. Snow can fall in every month of the year.
QUESTIONS and REQUESTING APPLICATION MATERIALS
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We prefer to handle your
questions by phone unless you think the answer is likely to be straightforward. Certainly
e-mail works well for requesting application materials. Our contact information is
immediately below, included with the leader biographies.
TRIP LEADERS
Pam Wilmot is a four-season leader with the
Hiking/Backpacking Committee of the AMC Boston
Chapter. She is one of the most active leaders in the
chapter, leading both day hikes and backpacks primarily in
the White Mountains of New Hampshire. An avid hiker,
Pam has climbed the Hundred Highest Mountains in New
England and the New Hampshire 48 four thousand footers
in calendar winter. Pam co-led the AMC Adventure travel
trip Under the Alpine Giants: Hut-to-Hut in the Italian
Alps in 2013, a 15 day trek of the Alta Via 1 in the Valley
D’Aosta, including parts of the route of this trip. Pam has
also led non-AMC backpacks to Olympic National Park,
Kings Canyon National Park, and the Ansel Adams
Wilderness. She has traveled extensively in Europe and
Asia, and completed a 12-day trek to the Annapurna
basecamp in Nepal. She is certified in Advanced
Pam on Baxter ascent
Wilderness First Aid and CPR/AED. Pam can be reached at 617-962-0034 and
phwilmot@gmail.com.
Mark Heslin is a three-season leader with the AMC New Hampshire Chapter, and has
been leading hiking trips since 2000. He has extensive experience hiking in the Northeast
as well as Canada, Colorado and California. He co-led the AMC Adventure Travel trip
Hawaii: Adventure on the Islands of Aloha in 2011, which included excursions to three
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islands, complete with hiking, and backpacking. In 2007, Mark led an 8-day hut traverse
in the New Hampshire White Mountains. Mark is certified in Advanced Wilderness First
Aid, CPR/AED and is a 2005 graduate of AMC’s Mountain Leadership School.
EQUIPMENT LIST
Here is a list of the required and recommended gear for the trip, as well as a list of items
which some people will bring and share.
Required and Essential Gear
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broken-in waterproof hiking boots
at least 2-3 sets of hiking socks (and liners)
non-cotton shorts (or long pants if you prefer) and shirt for hiking
backpack (aim for 35 liter)
sleeping bag liner (a.k.a sleep sack)
waterproof wind and rain gear (tops and bottoms)
wool sweater, or synthetic pile/fleece jacket
long underwear top and bottom
hat for warmth, and gloves or mittens
polypropylene, Coolmax, Bergelene or other synthetic extra layer clothing
sunglasses
hat, sunscreen, and/or bandana for sun protection
Tevas, Crocs or other sandals (to wear in rifugi, which do NOT permit the wearing
of hiking boots outside of the public areas)
headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries
unbreakable bottles or hydration bladder (at least 2 liters total capacity)
waterproof pack liner and/or pack cover
high-energy trail snacks
toiletry kit (many rifugi do not supply soap or shampoo)
camp towel (many, but not all rifugi supply towels)
ear plugs
Optional Gear
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casual clothing for use in a rifugio
personal first aid kit (leaders will have group first aid kits)
gaiters (for rain)
hiking poles
whistle
knife
camera
Join us on this great adventure in one of the world’s most spectacular mountain regions!
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