The spectacular Alps are a mecca for hikers and the famous “Tour du Mont Blanc” might be the centerpiece of a European hiking tour in Switzerland, France and Italy. What better location to learn Wilderness Medicine and receive continuing medical education credits? This wonderful European Mont Blanc hike takes us through an ever-changing panorama of dramatic mountain peaks, glaciers, meadows, and alpine beauty! The circuit of Western Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc (15,771′) is one of the world’s premiere treks which transports you by foot through through the mountains of France, Italy, and Switzerland, each with its own distinctive culture and flair!

Experienced, colorful mountain guides bring a wonderful dimension of history, geology, and local color to every aspect of the trip. After a vigorous day of hiking, you’ll welcome the creature comforts of quaint European mountain inns and comfortable hotels – all featuring excellent meals and great local wines! The Wilderness Medicine CME Classes and lectures take place in the inns each evening and are provided by Wilderness & Travel Medicine LLC, a leader in Wilderness Medicine education.

WILDERNESS & TRAVEL MEDICINE CLASSES: COURSE INFORMATION

Accreditation – 16 Hours AMA PRA Category I Credits

WILDERNESS MEDICINE COURSE CONTENT INCLUDES:

• Altitude Illness
• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Heat Illness
• Snakebites
• Travelers Illnesses
• Marine Envenomations
• Trauma Management
• Wilderness Orthopedics
• Water Disinfection
• Swiftwater Safety and Rescue
• Basic Wilderness Survival
• Wilderness Medical Kits
• Wound Management
• Patient Assessment
• Wilderness Dermatology
• Wilderness Pediatrics

CME ACCREDITATION INFORMATION
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint providership of the Center for Emergency Medical Education and Wilderness and Travel Medicine. The Center for Emergency Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Center for Emergency Medical Education designates this live activity for a maximum of 16 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.

Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Day 1: Airport transfer

The group will transfer from Geneva Airport to your hotel in Chamonix at 2pm. You have the afternoon to recover or discover Chamonix. There’s a group briefing before our welcome dinner at 6:30pm.

*** If you wish to arrive early or your flight is delayed you will have to arrange your own transport.
– Showtrain is the transport we use. Tel: 0033 (0) 450475100 – www.showtrain.com
– Chamexpress Tel: 0033 (0) 45045 7372 www.chamexpress.com
– Equally there are a whole host of companies on the Internet: Search Google for Airport Transfers Geneva – Chamonix.

People arriving early could take a bus (every 10 – 15mins) into town to look around Geneva, see the lake, the fountain…

Day 2: Mer de Glace
On our first day’s begins with a train ride up to Montenver to see the Mer de Glace with stunning views of the glacier and the surrounding summits. We continue the ascent to Point Vue to appreciate this wonderful view. Descent is by cable car to Chamonix. Dinner on your own. Hiking time 5hrs. Ascent 2,400ft.

Day 3: Voza to Les Contamines
We have a short transfer to the trailhead before going up to Bellevue (5,500′). Continue hiking down below the tumbling Bionnassay Glacier, traversing a small suspension bridge before a scenic lunch at the Chalets de Miage (5,115′). After a short ascent we walk down through the thickly wooded hillside to the charming small town of Les Contamines (3,829′). Hiking time 6 hrs. Ascent: 1850ft. Descent: 2,900ft. Dinner and overnight at hotel in Les Contamines (3,700′).

Day 4: Savoie and Beaufortain
After a short drive, we hike up an old Roman road to the Plan des Dames, then make a long ascent to the Col du Bonhomme (7,641′) and Croix du Bonhomme (8,100′) for lunch. This is a long ascent! Truly a mountain day on a variety of trails. In the afternoon, we hike downhill on a grassy trail to Les Chapieux (5,500′). Hiking time 7 hrs. Ascent: 4,000ft. Descent: 2500ft. We spend the night in the simple but welcoming Auberge La Nova at Les Chapieux.

Day 5: Into Italy
We transfer to the end of the “Vallee des Glaciers,” then enjoy a relatively easy hike over the Col de la Seigne (8,245′) where the Mt. Blanc re-appears and down into Italy to Lac Combal and Visaille. Transfer from Val Veny to Courmayeur to our hotel for the night. Hiking time 6hrs. Ascent: 2,000ft. Descent: 2,000ft.

Day 6: Mont Saxe
Today we take in one of the finest views of the impressive south flanks of the Massif. The cliffs rise up to over 10,000ft. above the valley. We have a steep ascent to the refuge Bertone for a well-earned drink. The steep ascent continues to the summit ridge of Mont Saxe with uninterrupted views of the summits between the Mt. Blanc to Les Grandes Jorasses. We enjoy a picnic with this unforgettable view before us. Descent to the Val Ferret and transfer to our hotel. Ascent: 3,000ft. Descent: 2450 ft. Walking time 7 hrs.

Day 7: Into Switzerland
After a transfer, we walk up a nice trail past the spectacular “Glacier de Pre-de-Bar.” Cross the Grand Col Ferret (8,300′) to enter Switzerland, and descend to the scenic village of La Fouly (5,280′) located beneath the Glacier de l’A Neuve. From here we take a short transfer to the small resort of Champex. Hiking time 6 hrs. Ascent: 2,200ft. Descent: 2400ft.

Day 8: Alpine pastures
We hike from the hotel through woodlands and down to Champex d’en Bas. After a traverse along a forest trail we finally begin the uphill! It is very steep in places but is over quickly to reveal a delightful path along alpine pastures with great views of Martigny, the Rhone Valley and the Valais. After lunch we have a descent and a transfer to our hotel for the evening, which is located in the small village of Argentiere, at the top of the Chamonix Valley. Ascent: 2,000ft. Descent: 1800ft. 6 hrs hiking.

Day 9: Over the Smuggler’s Route to France
Hike up over the Col de Balme (7,188′) through high pastures and dairy farms, and back into the Chamonix Valley. Majestic views of Mont Blanc reappear as we hike over the Col. A second short ascent takes us to a small summit Les Posettes before a gradual descent into the forest followed by a short transfer to Argentiere. Hiking time is 6 hrs. Ascent: 2,800ft. Descent: 2100ft.

Day 10: The Chamonix Valley
From the Col des Montets we start with a steep climb, which gradually brings us along the traverse of the Grand Balcon below the ‘Red Needles’. The views just get better and better as we wind our way along and above the Chamonix Valley. Weather permitting, we’ll make a detour to scenic Lac Blanc (7,716′) before rejoining the Grand Balcon route. From La Flegere (6,158′) we take the cable car down into the Chamonix Valley and transfer to our hotel. Hiking time 6hrs. Ascent: 2,800ft. Descent: 1000ft. Farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Day 11: Airport transfer.
Group transfer to Geneva scheduled between 7:30-8:00 AM. lease book flights home to depart at 12:00 PM or later, to ensure ample time prior to boarding your flight.

Lodging:

Aug 30th-31st & September 8th – Hôtel Les Aiglons Resort & Spa
270, Avenue de Courmayeur, 74400 Chamonix Mont-Blanc
Tel : +33 (0)4 50 55 90 93 site : www.aiglons.com

September 1st – Chalet Hotel la Chemenaz
BP 17, Hameaux du Lay, 74170 LES CONTAMINES-MONTJOIE
Tel : +33 (0)4 50 47 02 44
e-mail : Courriel site : www.chemenaz.com

September 2nd – Auberge de La Nova
Les Chapieux, 73700 Bourg St Maurice
Tel : +33 (0)4 79 89 07 15
Site : www.refugelanova.com

September 3rd – 4th – Hotel Meuble Berthod
Courmayeur (AO), Italy
Tel : +39 01 65 84 28 35
E-mail:info@hotelberthod.com site : www.hotelberthod.com

September 5th – Hotel Glacier et Sporting
Champex le Lac, Switzerland.
Tel : (0)4 12 77 82 61 51
Site : www.hotelglacier.ch/

September 6th – 7th – Hôtel Le Dahu
325 rue Charlet Straton, 74400 Argentière, Chamonix
Tél : +33 (0)4 50 54 01 55 | Fax : +33 (0)4 50 54 03 27
E-mail: hotel-dahu@wanadoo.fr site : www.dahu.com