Form I & II Geography Alps Trip

View from the Aiguille du Midi in winter, looking over the Grandes Jorasses and the Dent du Geant

The Geography Department runs this biannual trip, open to all pupils in Form I and II. The stunning scenery of the French/Swiss Alps provides a perfect backdrop to introduce many of the geographical features studied at Intermediate 2 and Higher level. Participants will visit:

Aiguille du Midi – a cable car ride to the top of this 3842m pyramidal peak provides a panoramic view across glaciers, arêtes and hanging valleys to the top of Mont Blanc.

Mer de Glace – the longest glacier in France can be reached by a mountain railway. We will eat lunch on a hotel outdoor terrace overlooking the glacier, before descending to the ice-caves carved from under the glacier itself.

Chamonix – we will examine the impact of tourism on this alpine town and the u-shaped valley in which it lies.

Annecy – on the shores of Lake Annecy, the site and situation of this beautiful French settlement will be examined.

Gorge du Fier – The suspended walkways along this stunning limestone gorge provide access to direct evidence of the power of river erosion.

Cailler chocolate factory – as well as unlimited samples of chocolate, we will find out about the inputs, processes and outputs in its production.

Le Bouveret Aquaparc – a range of indoor slides and pools, giving us the opportunity to relax after a busy few days.

The next Alps Trip is scheduled for July 2012. For further information, please see Mr McConnell in the Geography Department

Images from the 2010 Alps Trip