I did this a couple of years ago and it was well worth it. You have to apply and state why you want to be on it. I pretty much said “I’m going to the alps with NLMC regardless” and that did it for me!
Echoing @Tom_Blake, the JCMT course is a brilliant intro to summer alpinism. I’d be more keen for big alpine stuff than valley cragging but would go wherever!
More experienced people/those with $$$$$ have a preference for Chamonix
Less experienced people/those with less $$$$$ have a preference for Ailefroide
Matt and myself mildly lean to Ailefroide, to be inclusive and because we like it there.
However, here’s a thought: going all the way to the Alps, it makes sense to do a big trip. We could thus do an official NLMC meet in the Écrins, and then a more informal extension meet for those who want further alpine objectives, relocating to Chamonix the week after.
This would allow at least myself to have both cake and eat it, so I like the sound of it. Thoughts?
I think Chamonix is worth a go. As others have pointed out we have been to the Ecrins as a club a number of times recently and it would be nice to mix things up - people who have been in the club for some time may find it a bit dull.
As others have also pointed out, there is something to go at for ppl of all abilities in Chamonix (including non friction slabs - also isn’t Ailefroide all slabs?).
I would also say that the purpose of this meet is primarily as an alpine meet, and Chamonix is a better destination for that kind of thing undoubtedly. The lifts (while they cost money) are an excellent way to get a taste for this kind of thing (you can also minimise the cost by walking up to some venues (Albert premier hut e.g.) or just taking the lift a couple of times and staying up in a hut for a couple of days). My personal view is that if you’re going to Europe in the summer go for the big stuff - we have many other meets for cragging!
Could do it as two weeks but that will probably end up with different people coming on the different dates and less of a crowd for each week, so wouldn’t be my preference.
Also I have this unshakeable feeling that using lifts is cheating. If you’re not walking up at least 3 hours to a hut the day before then it’s not a proper summit achievement.
I think everyone should experience the joy of climbing on the “easier” routes at Freyer, which make glass look like a high friction material. @PaulSagar particularly
We’d need some way of collectively reducing the collective club carbon cost. I say we charter a yacht to get us some of the way. Alternatively, how about we spend the April easter meet planting trees around the barn?