Mont Blanc to Mont Cinto: Kayak Stage
STAGE 3: Sailing, Kayaking and Trekking Stage. Monday 2nd June to Saturday 7th June.
The 3 parts are linked and must be undertaken together forming one overall stage.
STAGE 3A:
Sailing From South of France across to Corsica (110 nautical miles) – 2nd June (mon). The team will now battle the waves and wind of the Mediterranean Sea as we sail Panasha across to Corsica, heading for the Cageres, just north of Ajaccio.
A partial rest as we will board Panasha, a 14m sailing catamaran, along with our bikes and we will set sail from the South of France to Corsica. We will sail and navigate Panasha under the supervision of Laurence, Panasha’s skipper. Weather permitting we will reach Cageres after around 16 hours. In the event of greater than force 5-6 winds we will take the passenger ferry as foot passengers, with our bikes.
STAGE 3B:
Sea Kayaking around the Coast of Corsica (approx 100km) – 3rd (tues) to 6th June (fri) . For this stage we will sea kayak the equivalent distance from France to Corsica along the beautiful wild and protected Corsican coast, camping along the coast.
Setting off from Cageres, we head north working our way around the picturesque coastline in full sea kayaks, passing through the Scandola nature reserve where dolphins and seals abound and camp out each night under the stars. We will be accompanied by qualified sea kayak guides and aim to cover around 25 nautical miles a day.
STAGE 3C:
Ascension of Mont Cinto on Foot – 7th June (sat).
An ascension from sea level to the summit of Mont Cinto, the highest mountain in Corsica to plant the “Active Earth for Middle East Peace” flag in the summit.to conclude this incredibly journey.
Setting off from near Calvi, where we take the bikes and proceed to the foot of Mont Cinto where we swap our cycling shoes for running shoes and head up the mountain on foot to plant the flag. After photos and champagne we head down to celebrate the end of the trip with a concert by Jed Milroy, Active Earth’s resident musician.
COMPETENCE / FITNESS REQUIRED
STAGE 3A – Sailing – No competence or prior experience required as Laurence, Panasha’s skipper will teach everybody what they need to know.
STAGE 3B – Sea Kayaking – Experience of basic kayaking strokes and a fitness level to kayak 7 to 9 hours a day for 4 days at a slow but steady pace. Basic rescue techniques will be taught / refreshed by a UCPA guide.
STAGE 3C – Running / Trekking up Mont Cinto. You must be comfortable with off-road running on uneven paths and descending steep tracks. Sticks are highly recommended to reduce the impact on the knees and to engage the upper body.
COSTS
The event is being organised by Events and Activities (UK) Ltd, a specialist in charity challenges who have created some of the most successful outdoor challenges in the UK and have helped to raise millions of pounds for worthy causes.
Registration and Administration Costs: £50 / 70 Euros. This is essential for all participants and covers the organisational administrations and logistics of your involvement.
STAGE 3 – TOTAL COST £320 / 430 Euros.
STAGE 3A – Sailing Stage - £100 / 130 Euros (Accommodation, skipper and food cost) You will stay share a double berth with your own bathroom / shower and eat aboard this luxury catamaran. Bikes will be stored safely on the boat for use in connecting the end of Stage 4 (sea kayak) to Stage 5 – the ascension of Mont Cinto on foot.
STAGE 3B – Sea Kayak Stage -£180 / 250 Euros (Kayak hire, log support and guiding costs). You will be provided with a single sit-in sea kayak with splash deck and paddle. The group will be accompanied by a UCPA kayak guide familiar with all the potential hazards of this beautiful but wild coastline. We will take tents and sleeping bags and camp around the coastline, an unforgettable experience.
STAGE 3C – Cycle / Run up Mont Cinto - £40 / 50 Euros for log support.Your bike will be brought to you and we will make the short transfer to the foot of Mont Cinto by bike from where we will commence the ascent and plant the flag in the summit.
Participants will undertake all parts of Stage 3. For Stage 3C there will be both a trekking and a running group.
Travel Options (UK participants):
These only apply to those joining the event at this stage. Active Earth Travel can help you organise travel.
TRAIN
Sun 1st June. London to Toulon / Marseille (via Paris)
FLIGHT
Sun 1st June. London to Toulon-Hyeres / Marseille or Nice
Return: Sun 8th June: Corsica (Ajaccio or Bastia) to London
Transfers: Please let us know if you need help with train station / airport transfers.
Accommodation:
Stage 3A: Sailing From South of France across to Corsica (110 nautical miles) – Night of Sun 1st June: depending on numbers you should be able to stay on the Catamaran for free or if this is not available or if you prefer you can take a local hotel in the South of France.
Night of Monday 2nd June: depending on numbers you should be able to stay on the Catamaran for free or if this is not available or if you prefer you can take a local hotel in Corsica.
STAGE 3B: Sea Kayaking around the Coast of Corsica (approx 100km) – 3rd (tues) to 6th June (fri).
>We aim to be sleeping around the coastline under the stars. In the event that this is not possible we will use local campsites or hotels, which will be an additional cost.
STAGE 3C: Ascension of Mont Cinto on Foot – 7th June (sat).
After the event has finished we will organising a big farewell party and will stay in a local hotel on the night of the 7th June. It is expected that most participants will fly out of Corsica on Sunday 8th June or return by ferry / train to London.
Clothing / Equipment (For Complete Stage):
- Sunglasses offering adequate UV protection
- High Quality Cycling Helmet
- Windproof jacket
- Gore-tex lightweight waterproof shell
- Cycling shorts and leggings
- Lightweight fleece
- Good quality socks and spares,li>Hydration bag (min 2L),
- 1.5L bottle(s) that can fit on bike frame
- Head torch
- Waterproof trousers
- Cycling gloves
- Lightweight hat & gloves.
- Kayaking gloves (tight fitting scuba gloves are good for this as well)
- A “Shortie” wetsuit (we can provide this)
- Kayaking shoes / old plimsolls
- Running shoes
- Lycra leggings
- Walking Sticks (optional, but highly recommended)
- 3-4 lightweight long sleeved tops
- Sleeping Bag
- Therma-Rest
- Plastic Mug, Plate, Bowl, Spoon, Knife and Fork.
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