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Where does my trip start?
Chamonix Alps begins in the bustling mountain city of Geneva, Switzerland. However, you will meet other Moondancers and one of your instructors in the Atlanta airport in order to fly to Paris, and then onto Geneva, as a group.
Will I need a passport?
Yes! Visit http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html to find more information on how to obtain passports in your area. You will need a copy of your birth certificate, social security card, and two passport-sized photos to apply. Please make sure you apply months before your travel date to allow for any delays.
Do I need to be fluent in French?
Though knowledge of French may help you adjust more quickly to European culture, it certainly is not required. Your Moondance leaders will be fluent in French in order to communicate with outfitters, but as you weave in and out of French and Swiss villages, you may find it fun to practice phrases or develop your French in markets and with friends you meet along the way.
What happens in a typical day?
That depends on whether you are backpacking, or visiting the Louvre in Paris, but you can expect to laugh, to be enchanted by the mesmerizing alpine valleys and peaks of the Alps, and meet travelers from all over the world. You'll have the opportunity to develop peer leadership skills when you are "leader of the day," and you will settle into the evening with a hot drink and a warm meal prepared by each other!
How different is this trip from other Moondance trips?
Chamonix Alps dives into the heart of European alpine culture, allowing Moondancers to explore a region once only accessible to mountaineers. Unlike with other Moondance trips, you will experience backcountry travel the European way -- through the alpinist hut system. You'll stay within the huts as a group, but you may have the opportunity to meet travelers from around the world who have come to experience the grandeur of the Tour du Mont Blanc as well. It begins in the shadow of Mont Blanc -- Europe's highest mountain -- in the quintessential European alpine village of Chamonix. From here, you will wind through valleys and climb high above villages while circumnavigating Mont Blanc. During your ten day journey, you will stand in awe of its surrounding mountains with more peaks soaring above 14,000 feet greeting you. Not only will you learn fundamental backcountry skills on this Moondance trip, but you will have the opportunity to explore a fairy tale culture with like-minded travelers from around the world.
Do I really need to break in my boots for the backpacking section?
Absolutely, particularly since we will be traveling along the Haute Route for 14 days! The most common medical injury we face in the backcountry is blisters. Though that may not seem like a big deal, blisters can turn a 6 mile hike into a nightmare if not properly attended. The best way to avoid blisters is to buy boots that fit you properly and to wear them often to break them in. Leather boots can take 1-2 months to break in so start early! Once your trip starts, your leaders will show you how to care for your feet to avoid any unwanted blisters!
How heavy will my pack be?
The alpine huts in which we will be sleeping will provide most of the gear that generally makes our packs heavy -- shelter and sleeping bags, as well as stoves. Therefore, our packs will weigh a 1/3 of what most Moondancers carry! With light packs, we will be able to travel swiftly and efficiently while gaining a total of over 4,000 feet along the way!
How many miles do we backpack in a given day?
Since we will be staying in alpine huts along the way, we will be able to hike 10-15 miles a day, or from "hut to hut" while not feeling burdened by a heavy pack. This is a trek in the truest sense of the word -- we will completely circle Mont Blanc and re-stock on fresh foods and veggies along the way in village markets.
What's the hut system like? Will I meet other travelers?
Huts are found throughout the Alps to accommodate travelers on the extensive network of trails that wind through the mountains. They are often situated in spectacular locations off the beaten path and can be accessed through technical and non-technical approaches. Many of the huts are simple, while offering bedding, common areas, and a kitchen to cook your food. During meal times, you'll have the opportunity to meet trekkers from around the globe and share highlights of your adventures!
How will we get to Paris?
Our trip ends in Nice along the French Riveria. After spending several days in Provence hiking Mt. Ventoux and swimming in the Cote d'Azur, we will take a high-speed train to Paris, where we will spend three days exploring the "City of Lights." At the conclusion of our trip, we will fly from Paris back to America, bidding adieu to the sidewalk cafes, haute couture, and Louvre masterpieces.
Is it cold in the Alps?
Any alpine environment will experience a range of temperatures during three weeks of travel. We will be in shorts and t-shirts on most days, but will don a fleece hat and pullover on chilly evenings. Expect temperatures from 40 -- 75 degrees and remember, it's measured in Celsius in Europe!
What will I learn by the end of my trip?
By the end of your Moondance experience, you may learn how to have a conversation in French while in the huts of Mont Blanc, how to order a baguette from the local boulangerie, or how to lead your peers as Leader of the Day. Most of all, you'll learn that life's lessons are often camouflaged as a brilliant rainbow that follows a storm, a challenging mountain, or strangers that become family at the end of 24 days. The self-confidence that you can gain by exploring the unknown, particularly within a foreign culture, will provide a constant foundation for your life adventures down the road.
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