How busy are the guides in Chamonix and Zermatt during the July/August high season ? Are there generally English speaking guides available ? My wife and I plan to travel to these areas this summer and rather than book a guided trip we'd rather do some climbing on our own and hire guides as needed. A related question: will most guides take 2 clients or is the ratio always 1 to 1 ?

-- Joe Antol (joe@antol.com), February 02, 1999

Answers

Most guides would take two clients. It is a busy summer, but also there are many guides around and i don't think it would be that difficult to hire someone with, let say a week notice. but to be sure, i'd call the guide office. the numbers are on the Chamonix page.

-- Quang-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), February 03, 1999.