This is the Alpes Gospel according to the trip leaders of this and previous years. This is the result of a lot of people’s effort over the last few years so much thanks to them.

There is a huge amount of information in these pages - all of it is relevant - this was not an excercise in timewasting! Take it all in, maybe print out the pages to read over and over. Enjoy the thrill of the anticipation!

On an important note, we have agreed the theme of this year's trip:

"Your Mother doesn't work here!"

And the moto of the trip is the unforgettable:

"You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning"

Excited yet? Le Shuttle chez Alpes...

[Update - 8/6/05]

Well it's the last few days before we go & the preparations are really underway. A few people may have filled out the form but it mightn't have sent - the email sender seems to be choosy. In any event, we will make sure to get all relevant information once we are over there - in the interest of safety.

There are a few changes to some of the pages herein; mostly just upkeep but keep on reading!

[Update - 28/5/05]

****IMPORTANT*** We will be meeting in Bourg St. Maurice on the weekend of the 10-12 June ****IMPORTANT***

Ok, if you're annoyed about this message because it's late or whatever, apologies, however it was outside our control - just chillax & join in the group spirit!! Remember - French gay nightclub! Also:

****IMPORTANT*** Please fill out the Personnal Details form in case of emergency ****IMPORTANT***

There have been some other updates as well - please take a look through all of the pages (not just this one!).

[Updates - 19/4/05]
An FAQ has been included to assemble the usual questions together on one page. Email ucdcc_alps_trip@yahoo.fr or post ont he board to suggest better answers or have a question included.

[More updates - 17/4/05]
Another day another meeting - once again the intrepid few braved the hippies and assembled at HQ. Some four hours later having drank our way through an untouchable collection of 6 years old drink (white wine does not age well!) we have updated the pages accordingly. Please read through once again (remembering to refresh - F5 - to avoid looking at a cached page), especially What’s next?, Groupings and Lessons Learnt. 

A new section is Faffage - the curse of all paddling trips. We are taaking this seriously this year due to the large number of people. We will all benefit from its eradication.

[All pages updated - 12/4/05]
Those shady conspirators known simply as "the leaders" recently held their Árd Fheis in a back-alley well known to hippy-types. Many teas and much recanting of tall tales later, something resembling scrawl on the back of a pizza-stained envelope was transformed into an email and whence, this website has been updated.

The Itinerary has moved from the consistency of water to that of Nutella at noon, chez Alps. Other updates are the What’s next? and the Groupings.

A mysterious black book bearing the inscription "John Kelly, Alps 2004", no doubt notorious amongst women, has made it's way into WebMr C.'s hands and the words of wisdom that were penned in anguish (lest such events re-occur) are hereby assembled into (hopefully) meaningful advice. Sincere thanks to John for putting us through the misery every evening last year - I believe it has payed off. Go to Lessons Learnt for more.

A lot of what is in this website sounds kinda serious, but we will have the time of our lives and it will be run with the usual UCDCC flare, in holding with the club Motto…

“Never let the truth get in the way of a good story…”

[News Update]
The Lyon River Festival has definately been cancelled. Latest news is that the Level 5 training course is on the best dates for those partaking.

The contents are:

Faffage - how to cut out the curse

Lessons Learnt - hard-earned advice from previous years 

Groupings – on-the-water levels of responsibility.

Gear – what to bring, this year’s latest trends.

Itinerary – if you think we plan ahead, you’d be wrong!

What’s next? – Pre-alps meetings & training for all.

Links - Some Alpes related bits 'n' bobs.

Overall river map - Horribly pilferred super map of all Alpine rivers & their grading

Alps '03 - The Gang at the Col do Lauteret

Check the forum and the main website for other information. Another page on the main site will tell you the rivers we have run over there

Lists of drivers & passengers may be put up if no-one objects so we all know the score. Either way, we will ensure that everyone has each others contact details as this can be important.

Most of all – it’ll be here sooner than you think so Waaahhhhooooo!!!

Alps '03 - The best bit about losing André was finding him again! (Riviére de Venéon, Venosc)
(Reasons not to get on an Alpine Gr. 4 river during a storm at 6pm #23)