Discover the Aravis during a Trail Running weekend

The Trail

TRAIL RUNNING WEEKEND in France, Skyrunning through the Aravis

An exceptional and unique course with Ludo Colomb. A big weekend for big runners to get stronger and to enjoy such experience in a great mountain environment.

Supervision of your Trail running weekend:

Quality supervision: advice from Ludovic Colomb, UIMLA Trekking Guide, Trail and MTB instructor, winner of the Larzac Marathon (Festival des Templiers 2019) and the Tour des 5 refuges (Trail race of Tour des Fiz 2019); 6th on the 23Km of Mont Blanc 2018 (Chamonix Mont Blanc Marathon) and 23rd on the French short trail championships 2019 (ITRA coast: 805). Passionate trail instructor and supervisor for 10 years, Ludovic will bring you all his expertise and will guide you to make a real improvement in your trail running technique and your mental resistance.

The highlights of your stay:

• A weekend of technical progression in mountain terrain
• The Aravis, an exceptional mountain range between Annecy and the Chamonix valley. The course takes place on ridges and superb summits. A perfect ground for the practice of Skyrunning!
• 2 supplies along the itinerary and 3 homemade picnics for total immersion in the mountains
• 4 days where conviviality, solidarity and nature become one through the practice of trail running
• A course to improve your technique along a rare and exceptional Trail product

The Program

Trail program through the Aravis

Day 1 (Thursday July 29th)
Arrival at the feet of the Aravis and departure for 4 days of itinerant trail running

Distance & vertical drop: about 19 km, + 2300 meters & - 1500 meters
Night: half board at the Gramuset refuge

Meet in Romme (74) for the start of the raid at 8:00 am. First warm-up day with a first climb that allows us to quickly reach the first ridges of the Aravis. Passage through the Tête du Château with, already, some magnificent views of the valley and the surrounding massifs. Then comes the Col de la Forclaz and its great technical descent to reach the valley of Doran, its refuge and its pass with the first aerial passages. Return possible to Quartes Têtes then direction the Col and Combe de Verts to reach our first refuge, the Gramuset refuge and its majestic setting at the feet of the Pointe Percée.

(Please note, depending on the weather conditions and the terrain, we will adjust the route to suit our practice and ensure everyone's safety!)

Day 2 (Friday July 30th)
Point Percée objective

Distance & vertical drop: about 24Km, + 1900 meters and - 2400 meters (including the different peaks)
Night: half-board at the Danay farm
Picnic from the refuge

A second day with a round trip to Pointe Percée (2750m) from the refuge in the early morning as a barley point, a magical moment in perspective with views of the Mont Blanc massif and the highest peaks in the Alps. Passage to the refuge then direction the valley of the great Forclaz, the summit of Tardevant then descend via its valley and its beautiful small lake in altitude. From there, we will pass through the Confins to then climb to the Tête du Danay and therefore arrive at the rustic farm of the same name, where we will have a good night of sleep.

(Please note, depending on the weather conditions and the terrain, we will adjust the route to suit our practice and ensure everyone's safety!)

Day 3 (Saturday July 31st)
Direction Etale and its impressive summit

Distance & vertical drop: + 2,500 meters and - 2,400 meters (with the ascent of the Etale) approximately 35 km at most, the stage can be reduced by 10 km
Night: half-board at the Aulp de Marlens refuge

Today we will get a supply on the way (homemade picnic suitable for trail running) and snacks while passing under the Col des Aravis.

Departure for a second beautiful summit towards the heights of La Clusaz, the feet of the Col des Aravis, the Col du Merdassier to then start of a long ascent to reach the Etale, an impressive summit culminating at 2483 meters with some exceptional views of the surrounding massifs.

You will be amazed by the sight!

(Please note, depending on the weather conditions and the terrain, we will adjust the route to suit our practice and ensure everyone's safety!)

Day 4 (Sunday August 1st)
Finish in style with the end of the Aravis chain and Mont Charvin

Distance & vertical drop: about 24Km, + 1500 meters and - 2200 meters

Departure from the refuge at 1660 meters towards the beautiful Mont Charvin (2409m), culminating at the end of the Aravis chain and with views of the internal massifs of the Alps. Descent towards its beautiful lake to then continue by the lake of Champ Tardif and possibility to do a loop to the Pointe de Mandallaz. From there, the last big descent will lead us to Flumet and the end of the Skyrunning raid with a last small climb and a passage by the Croix Cartier.

Picnic supplies in Flumet.
Transport: from Flumet return by minibus at 2:30 p.m. and end of the weekend at 3:30 p.m. in Romme.

(Please note, depending on the climatic conditions and the terrain, different summits to be adapted to our practice and to be able to ensure everyone's safety! Early departure to take advantage of time for your returns).

Budget

Budget for 4 days & 3 nights of Trail

The price includes

• Supervision by a state-certified trail instructor from Thursday (8:00 am) to Sunday (2:30 pm);
• Half-board accommodation as described in the program;
• Picnics on day 2, 3 and 4;
• Mandatory transport on the program.

The price does not include

• Cancellation / interruption of stay / loss of luggage insurance and emergency assistance;
• Picnic on Day 1;
• Non-program visits;
• Any parking fees;
• Arrival and departure transport from the meeting point and arrival point of the raid;
• Drinks and personal expenses;
• Additional nights outside the program;
• Anything not indicated in the "Price includes" section.

Your expenses on site

• The drinks ;
• Visits and transfers outside the program;
• Tips.

Equipment

Equipment for the 4 days of Trail in the mountains:

Recommended material

• outfits suitable for trail running (light and comfortable running outfit)
• 1 pair of trail shoes particularly suitable for technical terrain
• 1 or 2 pairs of socks
• 1 pair of trail type poles (3 strands)
• 1 light waterproof jacket
• 1 light long sleeve t-shirt
• 1 waterproof running light pants
• 1 small personal pharmacy kit
• 1 pair of sunglasses
• cap / neck warmer / light gloves
• your food energy reserves (gel, bars, energy drinks for the 4 days)

Not to forget

• a sleeping sheet (silk sheet)to sleep at the huts
• minimum toiletries for the evening
• phone, with charger
• 2 plastic bags for picnics
• a bag with a change of clothes to put in the vehicle on arrival at Flumet and at refueling at the Col des Aravis
• a sleeping bag for the night at Aulp de Marlens which will be transported by our supply.

Difficulty

Useful infos

Useful information for the organization of your trail running course:

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is recommended as well as other insurance guaranteeing search and rescue in the mountains.

Meeting on the first day

Meet at the feet of the Aravis in Romme, Nancy sur Cluses, at 8:00 am at the car park next to the town hall.

End of the weekend 

Taxi in Flumet at the beginning of the afternoon to return to Romme, dispersal around 3:30 p.m.