Off piste and freeride
Based in the Chamonix valley I offer off piste ski guiding throughout the winter. Chamonix has some of the best lift accessible terrain in the world. This makes it an incredible freeride playground. The famous Aiguille du midi cable car takes you up to an altitude of 3800m. From the top there is only off piste adventure to return back down to the valley base. All the skiing from here is on glacier and skiing with a guide is highly recommended unless you are a competent with glacial saftey, crevasse rescue and avalanche awareness. The Vallee Blanche is the very famous decent which delivers 2000m of vertical descent over 20km. It should not be thought of one run, but a valley full of runs. There are many variations, covering every angle. The scenery is outstanding and it is an unforgettable experience.
Grands montets and the aiguille rouges offer many great lines and couloirs with a short skin opening up endless options.
Vallee Blanche
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Ski from the summit of the Aiguille du Midi 3842 m. The scenery is amazing ! At your feet, the famous snow arete, then THE descent ... 23 km and 2,000 vertical meters to be enjoyed along the slopes of this mythical glacier.
The Vallee Blanche is a wild ski run that will take you deep into the Mont Blanc range. The variety of the scenery and sheer size and length makes this run a very unique experience. In a magical world, where you ski between seracs and crevasses, before a lunch break at the Refuge du Requin or a picnic on the mountainside. This high altitude route follows glacier off-piste and ungroomed terrain, therefore requiring extreme caution. At the bottom of the Mer de Glace, a 20 minute walk (with your skis attached to your backpack) is necessary to reach either the Montenvers train or the Mottets hut before heading to Chamonix either by train or by skis. ​
There are many variants and depending on your skill level and the current conditions your guide will make the best choice for you.
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Ratio : up to 1:6
Pricing : from €400
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Off Piste adventure and day tours
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I have been skiing in Chamonix for 10 years and know the valley very well. As I am based here throughout the winter skiing most days, I am up to date with conditions and know where to find the best snow. I can help you find some great powder and take you to the best parts of the mountain.
Whether you want to ski some mellow powder on beautiful hidden slopes, or tackle steep couloirs I can help you find and guide you through your perfect adventure.
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Ratio: up to 1:6
Pricing : From €400
JOHN MCCUNE MOUNTAIN GUIDE
The Eiger. 3967m. AD
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The Eiger is a magnificent mountain in the Bernese Oberland. The mountain is famed for its enormous 1800m North Face. The history behind the first ascent of this Face is deep and fascinating. An Ascent of the 1938 route is an experienced and talented alpinists dream. One can wait years for the stars to align to have good conditions, time and a weather window to climb this route.
The Mitteleggi ridge tackles the Eastern flank of the mountain and is an exceptionally beautiful and enagaging route at a more reasonable grade of AD+. In my opinion it is one of the best routes of its grade in the Alps. I guide the Eiger as part of a 6 day Course with technical training, preparation and acclimatisation.
Guiding Ratio
The Guiding Ratio on the Mittellegi Ridge is 1:1. Similar to the Matterhorn Course in a group booking scenario the first 3 days are possible at a 1:2 ratio, bringing in an extra guide for the 3 Eiger climb days.
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Routes
The classic guiding route is a traverse of the Mountain up the Mittellegi ridge (East ridge) and down the South ridge then over the Eigerjoch to finish at the Jungfraujoch. If conditions on the Mittellegi are not favourable an ascent and descent of the South ridge is also possible. I would also guide the classic 1938 Heckmair, North Face route, in good conditions with a highly experienced client.
Course Example
Day One- Meet in Chamonix and check gear and equipment. Take the Helbronner Cable car up to the Torino hut and climb a route. Eg Dent du Geant 4000m, Rochefort Arete 4001m, or Traverse of the Aiguille de Entreves 3604m. Spend a night in the Torino Hut.
Day Two- Climb a Rock route on the Mont Blanc du Tacul eg Le Roi de Siam on the Petit Capucin, or The Tour Ronde 3792M. Return to Chamonix.
Day Three- Multi pitch rock climbing in th Arve Valley, Mirroir d'argentine, or a traverse of the Aiguille de Perrons.
Day Four- Drive to Grindelwald. Take the Jungfraujoch train up to the Eismeer station. Descend the Rock tunnels onto the Glacier and climb up to the Mitteleggi Refuge. The Journey through the mountain railway and out the tunnel is very interesting. The Hut is in an incredible position perched on the knife edge.
Day Five- Climb the Mitteleggi ridge to the summit of the Eiger and descend the south ridge. Continue to the Jungfraujoch. One option is to stay a night in the Monch Hut and climb the Mönch 4107m on the final day.
Day Six- Flexible Day. Either another summit or a wind down day to practice skills learnt through the week and go rock climbing.
Pricing
£500 per day plus guides expenses.
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