JDRF 6th – 11th September 2016 Charity Challenge Overview The CCC is one of the most prestigious running races in the World and takes place in August each year. Taking in Italy, Switzerland and France it starts in Courmayeur, passes through Champex and finishes in Chamonix – hence the name! Covering 100 kilometres on trails, it ascends a total of 5998m of altitude. When you consider that Kilimanjaro rises 4877m from its base to the summit, it gives you an idea of what is involved. The first kilometres out of Courmayeur rapidly rise to 2500m of altitude. This takes us to one of the most exceptional panoramas one can imagine, facing the Mont-Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses. On day 2 the passage of the Grand col Ferret (2537m) marks the entrance into Switzerland, where we start a lovely long descent through La Fouly before ascending to Champex. We then progress to Col de la Forclaz, Trient and Vallorcine before our final ascent of the Vallons des Chezerys. This finishes with the most incredible views of the Mont- Blanc chain and from there it is a gentle walk down to the warmth and thick air of Chamonix. The physical challenge Our lead guide for the 5 days is Francois-Eric Cormier, has lived in the valley for 25 years and has guided all this time with Companie des Guides. He will spend the first evening over dinner getting to know everyone and talking through the four days ahead on the CCC challenge. Lyndon of CHX will be joining as assistant guide who is also a Type 1 diabetic, board member with JDRF UK and continually manages his condition while training for various ultra endurance events. It is a great challenge and one that (with good preparation) is well within your capabilities. It isn’t a route most would take on because local knowledge is key, especially if the weather turns. The challenge is the length and not the altitude. We will average c.2000m altitude, never going above 2500m which removes the “lottery” element that exists with high mountains such as Kilimanjaro. We take it steady and the fitness you require for this is a combination of strength and stamina as there are no sections of high intensity and at no point will we be anaerobic. Please meet the team here: http://chamonixhardcross.com/about/who-we-are/ Accommodation Our “base camp” in Chamonix is a wonderful, luxury chalet just 5 mins drive or 20 mins walk from the centre. It is a stunning mix of traditional and modern open plan living. For photos see http://chamonixhardcross.com/mountain-bootcamp/. It has six en suite rooms, all twin or double, a large open plan living and dining room with large screen TV, and has an outdoor jacuzzi on the sun deck, with a sauna in the chalet. On the CCC we will be staying in mountain refuges. These are fully catered, warm, inviting and a genuine oasis at the end of a long day. We will spend both nights in Switzerland, in La Fouly and Trient, both down in valleys for best recuperation. The accommodation is basic and largely dormitory beds. Warm showers will be available and most welcomed! Food Whilst in Chamonix the menu is designed by Matt Lovell to give perfect balance for the physical challenge. Delivered by our own chef, Phil Jones, who will be cooking fresh in the chalet, advised by our resident nutritionist Alison Stork who is on hand to ensure all nutritional questions are answered. Three meals per day with breakfast and dinner in the chalet, lunch on the trail. Bring your preferred energy snacks or we will advise and you can buy locally. Food in the refuges is generally very good, although breakfast tends to be light. So we will stock up on snacks before we leave Chamonix. Water is available throughout the route and each spring is clearly marked as tested and drinkable, although the Swiss tend to say “drink at your own risk” in order to tempt you to buy something in the next town, Francois Eric will be on hand to advise. Sample chalet menu is at Fuelling Your Challenge on the website: http://chamonixhardcross.com/mountain-bootcamp/ Likely itinerary Tuesday Arrive Chamonix between 2pm and 5pm 5pm Kit checks for the challenge ahead 6pm Welcome drinks 7pm Dinner served in the chalet with the CHX team Wednesday Day 1 of the CCC challenge 7am breakfast in chalet and fill up, take prepped lunch with us Drive to Courmayeur to start the challenge, ascend to Refugio Bertone, across to Bonatti for the best hot chocolate in Italy! Then to the high point of the trek at Col du Grand Ferret, marking the border to Switzerland. We then descend into the Swiss Val Ferret and spend the night at La Peule refuge, a stunning dairy farm with almost complete seclusion., Thursday Day 2 La Peule to Champex We wind our way through the Swiss Val Ferret for an undulating day with the final ascent to the picturesque lakeside town of Champex. We spend our day weaving through beautiful Swiss mountain villages. Friday Day 3 Champex to Vallorcine An undulating day taking variations to the "Bovine" route that the CCC race follows. It is likely we will be alone as a group until the descent from Col de la Forclaz to the village of Trient, where we will have lunch before progressing to Vallorcine where we spend the last night. Saturday Day 4 Vallorcine to Chamonix The final day takes us back along undulating terrain to the Chamonix Valley where we are treated to the most stunning view of the Mont Blanc Massif for most of the day, and returning to the warmth of the Chamonix valley. Dinner and celebrations at the chalet, which has been known to last long into the evening! Sunday Breakfast in chalet, relax, pack and depart Travel Fly to Geneva (75 minutes from London) and then shuttle to Chamonix (75 minutes). Transfers from the airport to the chalet through recommended company Depart day. Arrange shuttle pick-up from chalet. We can guide you through booking travel, including our recommended Geneva to Chamonix shuttle company which charges £50pp return We look forward to welcoming you, hosting you in Chamonix and around the CCC route! .