2008 Haute route

We are planning to ski the classic variation of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt sometime in April.
If anyone wants to share their wisdom please feel free, however, I have a few specific questions:
How long a glacier rope did you bring? For how many people? Was it long enough for the descent from Col du Chardonnet?
Any problems booking huts in English? Any recommended peaks to ski along the route?

Thanks a lot!

We are planning to ski the classic variation of the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt sometime in April.
If anyone wants to share their wisdom please feel free, however, I have a few specific questions:
How long a glacier rope did you bring? For how many people? Was it long enough for the descent from Col du Chardonnet?
Any problems booking huts in English? Any recommended peaks to ski along the route?

Thanks a lot!

30m x 8mm glacier rope for four of us. We tied it off the rappel anchor at Col du Chardonnet, 30m was enough for us in April 2001, our final guy skied down.
Booking huts in English will be a challenge IMHO. We have skied the Pigne D'Arolla in good weather, it was fun. Googling "haute route, chamonix - zermatt" or some such combination will give you lots of answers. Also, using search mode on telemarktips.com will find lots of advice. Very likely that you will find others on the route when you are there, can share ideas and rappel?

Rappel was no biggie, it was clustered with guided parties, so we walked down instead.
Stay at the hostel in Argentiere (I think my spelling is close). They speak everything and are very nice. Swiss Francs, Euros and Visa are the international language. Most folks we met on the route and in the huts were amazed that we were not guided. The problem was usually fixed with a lie, that I was a guide in America, after that, we were somehow ok.
We brought way too much stuff. No need for stove, bivy, sleeping bag or even shoes/slippers, although tele boots did not work in the Disco in Zermatt.

The rappel was mobbed for us too. We shared a rope with another party which made it easy. Things were busy at the col and the biggest hazard was probably being rushed into something dumb by the crowds. Just check your knots and know the drill before you hit the col and all will be cool.

The biggest problem I had was probably bringing Euros to a Swiss hut. Duh. Be sure to bring enough Swiss currency to avoid that situation! The Swiss hut masters did eventually take my Euros, but only after extensive negotiation in the language of their choice (my rusty French was not persuasive...). They also seemed to have a problem with my AAC membership about half the time, which is supposed to get you a lower rate and also provides for rescue insurance, which you should have.

Pigne D'Arolla was great. We had first tracks on that, just ahead of a massive party of Italians who could sing better than they could ski. Setting out early that morning, after staying up with the Italians, was a crux maneuver.

I'd also suggest taking a couple days to poke around Chamonix. The Valle Blanche ski was easy and worth a day of your time. There's lots more to do there if you have the time and ambition. What a great place.

I had a blast on the Haute Route. Hope you have a great trip too!

Thanks guys!
One more question. Did you leave your stuff in Chamonix or did you send it to Zermatt? How?

Left gear at the hut in Argentiere. Was very common, they had the drill alll worked out. Trains and buses were not a big problem getting back.
I understand in Zermatt there is a supermarket (down the hill a bit from the train station) that has $20 Chuck T knock offs, which would have been nice at the disco.