A2Z Adventures blog

We are passing by Chamonix, the adventure sports world’s capital… Amazing weather and clear views over Mont Blanc. Shopping time (for one hour), before we get back to our trekking tour!

It´s an easy day today, mid way in our route, after a long 11 hour day, yesterday. We did it a little slower than planned, since Mário was having problems with his feet. The trail was hard going up, 1000 meters to Fenetre d’Arpette (2630 mts), followed by another 1000 meters going down. And if that wasn´t enough we still had another 600 meters climb in the afternoon ending in the historical Col de Balme Mountain Hut, built just on the border line between Switzerland and France (more than 100 years ago).

Mário (and Edite) will be leaving the TMB today to rest and recover his feet, but he will stay around and meet us on the last day. We are on our way to meet Marie, in the CAF refuge at Contamines. She cooks really well so we expect to have a nice dinner tonight. Tomorrow is another challenging day. The sun is still shining!

O tour do Monte Branco começou da melhor maneira com excelentes condições climatéricas. O primeiro dia incluiu um caminhada “de aquecimento” de duas horas até ao refúgio Bertone (sobre Courmayeur – Itália). Nada melhor para descomprimir da viagem de carro de Milão. No segundo dia, seguimos em direcção a Este ao longo do Vale Ferret até ao refúgio Bonatti (um dos mais confortáveis dos Alpes) onde chegámos após cinco horas de caminhada. O refúgio assume o nome de Walter Bonatti um dos mais importantes (e polémicos) alpinistas italianos, que participou na primeira expedição de sucesso ao K2 nos Himalayas à mais de 50 anos (saiba mais aqui). No terceiro dia seguimos em direcção à Suiça. Após 7 horas e meia chegámos a Arpette. O primeiro passe (col Ferret – 2537 metros) foi superado e como esperado sem encontrar neve.

As previsões metrológicas prevêem a continuação do bom tempo até ao final da semana, permitindo desfrutar das lindíssimas paisagens alpinas.

The Tour du Mont Blanc started on the best way with good weather conditions. The first day included a “warm-up” walk of two hours until refuge Bertone (above Courmayeur – Italy). Perfect to stretch from the car transfer from Milan. On the second day, we followed East along Val Ferret until reaching refuge Bonatti (one of the most comfortable refuges on the alps) after 5 hours walk. The refuge has the name of Walter Bonatti, one of the most important (and polemic) Italian alpinist, that participated on the first successful expedition to K2 in Himalaya more than 50 years ago (know more here). At the third day we head in direction to Switzerland. After some long 7 hours of we arrived to Arpette. The first pass (col Ferret – 2537 meters) was made and as expected with no snow.
The weather forecast seams to be good until the end of the week allowing to enjoy the wonderful alpine landscapes.

Estamos de saída para o Trekking do Tour do Monte Branco. Serão 8 dias e 7 refúgios, em volta do pico mais alto da Europa Ocidental. A previsão metereológica promete alguns momentos molhados na nossa viagem. O clima alpino pode surpreender-nos, no entanto, a qualquer momento. Pedro, Mário, Maria, Ken e Ron vão subir mais de 7000 metros e atravessar 3 países. Acompanhe a expedição aqui no blog. PP

We are heading off to the Trekking Tour du Mont Blanc. That’s our 8 days/7 huts hike around the highest peak of Western Europe. Weather forecast promises some wet moments during our trip. The Alpine weather is always a surprise…

Pedro, Mário, Maria, Ken & Ron will climb more than 7000 meters and cross 3 countries. More about it here soon.

PP

Ride your bike, practice Yoga every day and learn how to prepare traditional Portuguese meals in this very special tour. Combine fun with a healthy lifestyle while visiting one of the most beautiful and remote regions of Portugal - Beira Baixa.

Check out the complete itinerary here.

This great trip now costs only 1500€.

This price includes: all accommodations, 6 dinners, 1 picnic, 2 guides, all Yoga and Cooking classes, transfers, A2Z Adventures t-shirt and water bottle.

The dates 2009 dates are: April 18-25 and June 21-28.

The 2009 dates for all our trips - biking and walking - in Portugal and other countries that we visit are already online. Click on your favorite trip and check the available dates. But please remember that most of these tours can be done in different date.
We hope to walk or bike with you in 2009!

Datas 2009 já estão online em www.a2z-adventures.com

As datas para 2009 de todos os nossos programas - em Portugal e no estrangeiro - já estão online. Para escolher as suas, basta clicar no programa em que está interessado.
A pé ou de bicicleta, contamos com a sua companhia em 2009!

Our sponsored team - A2Z Adventures-Haglofs Adventure Racing - finished in second place in the Portuguese Adventure Racing National Championship, in the Elite category (mixed male/female team). Overall the team finished in first place in the National Ranking, winning the national circuit - the Portuguese Cup.

This was a great achievement by our boys and girl. It is about running, mountain biking, canoeing, climbing, orienteering, in 15-17 hours, during two days of racing - that’s something!

Na última prova da época, o campeonato nacional, a equipa de Corridas de Aventura A2Z Adventures-Haglofs terminou em segundo lugar, sagrando-se vice-campeã na categoria Elite. Com este resultado, garantiu o primeiro lugar do ranking nacional, vencendo o circuito Taça de Portugal de Corridas de Aventura. Um grande resultado deixando de parabéns os nossos atletas!

Once in while, we complain about our life, right?

Our good friends from Poison Oak Productions want to show us something that might inspire us to stop complaining…

The Way Bobby Sees It is a gripping documentary about Bobby McMullen, a competitive mountain biker on a mission to race the most demanding downhill course in the country. Adding to the difficulty: Bobby is blind.

With the help of a guide and a rigorous training schedule, Bobby is determined to race his bike down a course riddled with obstacles and flanked by steep, life-threatening cliffs. But, the racecourse isn’t the only challenge in Bobby’s life. Between thrills, spills and jaw dropping helmet camera footage, we see how Bobby uses humor, determination, and unshakeable optimism to battle adversity - both on and off the bike.

Go to www.PoisonOakProductions.com to watch the trailer.

The number of spots is limited and the deadline for registration is August 15. Don´t miss our great Historical Villages Trail mountain biking trip that happens August 30 - September 7, 2008.

This is one of the most challenging mountain bike rides in Portugal - we are talking about 535 km (335 miles) of pure mountain biking, through the remote 12th Century Historical Villages of Portugal region. September´s 08 edition of this ride is sponsored by Gary Fisher and has a very interesting price!
And one of the participants will take home a brand new Gary Fisher Genesis hartail bike, worth 880€.