HYDROSPEED, RAFTING, HIKING
Two intense and fabulous days to reward your sports team/club for their efforts and to get them fired up for their next race/competition/event……
As an example, you could white water on the Dranse and hike on the Cornettes de Bise. However, it will depend on the conditions and so other combinations could be arranged.
Rafting and Hydrospeed on the DRANSE
The Dranse of Morzine and the Dranse of Abondance combine to form the Dranse of Savoie. It’s the river of Chablais. Regardless of its volume, it is both powerful and sporty but remains within the reach of non-specialists.
With its wide bed and well worn rocks, it offers excellent Hydrospeed and Rafting.
In the morning we’ll go Rafting. We have to paddle together as it’s a team sport. Then in the afternoon we will enjoy the thrill of Hydrospeed. You’ll be in control of your own float but don’t forget to look out for your friends!
Between descents you can choose to have a picnic lunch at the water’s edge, or to go for the comfort of a restaurant in Thonon les Bains.
Each activity takes about 2h30 to complete.
Difficulty: Class III
We will drive 25 minutes to the Chalet de Bise, a refuge without a guardian, from which we can see les Cornettes, our next goal. At 2432m it is one of the highest points of the region along with Mont de Grange.
Prepare yourself for one of the most beautiful hikes you will ever do.
Hiking in Chablais
We get up for a hearty breakfast at 7am before starting our demanding ascent. It will take real effort and stamina but we will be amongst the most gorgeous scenery you can imagine. When we reach the top we are met with an indescribable 360° panorama incorporating the Swiss Alps and the Mont Blanc massif.
From the vallon de Bise, we climb to the pas de la Bosse (1816m) to join the corridor of Serrauquin where we’ll see ibex and their young. Higher up, as we cross the Cornettes de Bise, we will see the remarkable reddish rocks which are often used as a route by ibex. One last push will see us crossing the ridge where we will reach the top of the Cornettes and touch the wooden cross that dominates the hillside overlooking the valley. The landscape is breathtaking!
With less effort required we will begin a more sedate descent. We’ll take a nice path through the craggy, moonlike lapiaz to reach the Chaudin Pass that marks the border with Switzerland. We’ll continue the walk towards Loz, a mountain across a valley inhabited by ibex. We gradually leave the rocky landscape behind as it changes to very gentle inclines and a colourful mass of wild flora. The landscape is still as beautiful as we arrive at Ugeon Pass which faces Dent de Velan and has lovely views of the Dent d’Oche and lake Darbon. We continue through mountain pastures before returning to the base.
Duration: 5/6 hours – it is not for the lazy!
Only 1150m elevation
It is an experience that is physical, sociable, educational and above all varied!
The physical and technical aspects will be interesting for sporting clubs as they will fit in to any programme of physical preparation. It can help to develop relationships too as it requires everyone to pay attention not only to themselves, but also to the others around them. By combining sports and nature, effort and relaxation, mountain and river, individuality and unity, this is achievable.
Tariff based on a day of white water on the Dranse:
€80/person
plus €42/person ½ board in the refuge (excluding drinks).
plus €250/mountain guide per group (maximum 15 per guide).
This weekend may be extended by a full day rafting on the Dora Baltea.
