2008 Haute route

It was enjoyable reading your TR and your photos brought back great memories of our self guided trip. The tour can sometimes fall in the category of "it's about the tour, not the turns". One of our highlights was having dinner with Peter Cliff the author of "The Haute Route Chamonix-Zermatt" at the Vignettes Hut. We continued on to Saas Fee which added some enjoyable skiing.

I was a member of the American Alpine Club- for insurance; but since then figured a better way- the British section of the Austrian Alpine Club- about the same price; but if you have questions the Britts happen to speak English. The Austrian Alpine Club will get discounts all most all Huts systems- even Italy. You still get the rescue Insurance for less then 6KM(?).

I think you can get the maps from them- or do a search- I bought a bunch from that area in Zermatt; but after returing I found a British website that has all the maps from the Alps. The Swiss maps have everything: Hut phone numbers (cell service everywhere), taxi numbers, a few places need ground transportation and a damned good map. I will buy a cheap Euro phone next time, buy Euro SIM cards for each country- way cheaper then using a US phone and better service. Chamonix has a few tabacco shops that also sell phones and cards. Each country has their own telco system- so a SIM card per country. PM if you have more questions.