Mountaineering
between France and Switzerland

The trip

4 Days on the Glacier du Tour and the Trient Glacier

We will leave for a 4 days Glacier Tour, the perfect time to discover this environment and to savor its magic. The mountain huts where we accommodate are comfortable and friendly. Four days at altitude are perfect to acclimatize and maybe plan higher climbs afterwards or simply go back home with a tenfold shape. You will fill your eyes with spectacular landscapes! 

The Program

Mountaineering Stay in Chamonix, 4 days & 3 nights

DAY 1 - MONDAY
LE TOUR - CHARAMILLON - GLACIER DU TOUR - REFUGE ALBERT 1ER

Elevation: + 750 m
Length: about 6 h

We will leave at 8:30 a.m. from Chamonix to join the Tour in front of the Charamillon Cable Car to go up to the Albert 1er refuge next to the Glacier du Tour. We will take the ski lifts of the Tour then the balcony path to quickly access the Albert 1er refuge: we can drop of some stuff here.
The afternoon will be devoted to some training on the glacier: cramponnage, learning how to handle a rope on glacier and emergency maneuvres.

DAY 2 - TUESDAY
REFUGE ALBERT 1ER - TETE BLANCHE (3429m) - CABANE DU TRIENT

Elevation: +900 m and - 500 m
Length: 6 to 7 hours approximately

Ascent to Tête Blanche 3429m
Departure at dawn and progression towards this frontier summit surrounded by beautiful glaciers, we will pass near the North Face of Chardonnet (3,824 m).
A short rappelling at the Col Blanc will allow us to reach the Trient glacier in Switzerland, we will then head towards the Cabane de Trient (3170m) and its magnificent panorama, where we will stay for two nights.

DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY
CABANE DU TRIENT – COL DROIT – FENETRE DE SALEINA – CABANE DU TRIENT

Elevation: + 590 m and - 590 m
Length: approximately 6 hours of activity

Tour des Aiguilles Dorées
Early departure for the Col Droit 3 294m and the Bivouac des Plines at 3070m. We will then keep going towards the Fenêtre de Saleïna 3262 to then return to the refuge. We will spend the day on the Swiss glaciers on one of the Glaciers along the Mythical Chamonix - Zermatt. We will spend the afternoon n the glacier to learn crevasse rescue techniques, handling ropes ... We will have time to complete this nice altitude course, just aside the Hut. The view is always magnificent and the Hut very pleasant.

DAY 4 - THURSDAY
CABANE DU TRIENT – COL SUPERIEUR – REFUGE ALBERT 1ER – LE TOUR

Elevation: +450 m and -1250 m
Length: approximately 7 to 8 h

Return to France via the Col Supérieur du Tour (3289 meters)and possibility of crossing the Aiguille du Tour (3540 meters). We will then head back to the Albert 1er Refuge to eat a slice of cake before walking down by the balcony path leading to the cablecar, which will take us back to Le Tour. Once there, we will take the shuttle bus to reach Chamonix.

End of the mountaineering week.

We should arrive in Chamonix at latest around 6 p.m., if you wish, you can stay in Chamonix in the Hotel of your choice.

Check the Hotels we reccommend below:

• The L'Hôtel de la Chaumière which is 3 minutes walk from the center of Chamonix
• La Pointe Isabelle which is in the center of Chamonix near the train station
• Le Plan B which is near the Chamonix Bus station near the Aiguille du Midi cable car

Equipement

MOUNTAINEERING TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

• Hiking Goretex shoes suitable to crampons
• crampons
• walking poles
• iceaxe
• helmet.

HOW TO DRESS for Mountaineering

First layer on the skin:

• (merino wool) thermal/breathable long sleeve
• (merino wool) long thermal/breathable underwear
• woolen warm socks

Second layer:

• warm technical sweater
• waterproof & windproof hiking pants

Third layer:

• thin but warm duvet (to wear just in case of cold temperatures)

Last layer:

• waterproof & windproof Goretex jacket

Important Additionals:

• warm winter hat
• buff/head-neckband
• warm winter gloves
• headlamp
• suncream (protection factor 50+)
• sunglasses
• camera

N.B. Consider a change for when you are back to the hut (you can leave some stuff at the hut).

Difficulty

Mountaineering in Chamonix - Level needed

This is a program that perfectly suits people who want to approach the mountaineering world.
The ascent does not present special technical difficulties, but it is mandatory to use harness and crampons: it is necessary to have good physical training and good resistance to walk for long hours as the second day counts a total of 6 to 8 hours walk, depending on the training and speed of the group.

Useful information

Useful Information to prepare your Mountaineering Week

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is advised as well as other insurance guaranteeing search and mountain rescue (10,000 Euros guarantee approximately).

How to reach Chamonix Mont Blanc

• By train to Chamonix Station, TGV possible to Annecy; the hotel is accessible with free shuttles;
• By car, by highway to Chamonix, by Annecy or Geneva.