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Mont Blanc Massif

Trient, the Glaciers between France and Switzerland

Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5

Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5

Physical lev. : 3.5 / 5

Physical lev. : 3.5 / 5

  • 4 days & 4 nights
  • Participants : max 4
  • From mid June to September

If you would like to discover the glaciers of the Mont-Blanc and Swiss Massif, this is the perfect route for beginners who have been looking at glaciers from afar for a long time: the stages are not too long is order to leave time for new techniques learning sessions. 

From 1000

Dates & Prices

The Price for the Mountaineering Week in Chamonix 4 days 

  • 1000 € by person, if 4 people in the group;
  • 1000 € by person, if 3 people in the group;
  • 1470 € by person, if 2 people in the group.

Dates are available on demand. Contact us : info@espritmontagne.com.

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 glaciers of Tour and Trient are between 2800 and 3600 m of altitude, you will discover the thrill of High Altitude environments without having the fatigue of 4000 mt. 
 
If you would like to discover the glaciers of the Mont-Blanc and Swiss Massif, this is the perfect route for beginners who have been looking at glaciers from afar for a long time: the stages are not too long is order to leave time for new techniques learning sessions. 

Program

Mountaineering Stay in Chamonix, 4 days & 3 nights

DAY 1 
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 
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 
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 
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:

Materiel

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:

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

If you have any doubts or simply need clarification on what gear to take for your climb, you can take a look at our Blog page "What gear for mountaineering?"

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

IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.

Level

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 infos

Useful Information to prepare your Mountaineering Week

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).

Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.


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


Accommodation for the night after the course

We recommend three hotels if you wish to stay in the Chamonix Valley:

Hôtel de la Chaumière which is a 3 minute walk from the centre of Chamonix

La Pointe Isabelle which is in the centre of Chamonix close to the train station

Le Plan B which is close to the Chamonix Bus Station near the Aiguille du Midi cable car


Car sharing

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.

The budget for the 4 days mountaineering programme

THE PRICE INCLUDES

. The guiding of an experienced mountain guide of our Team, plus his/her accommodation and meal expenses;

. The use of equipment for the group (ropes, pitons, karabiners);

. Half board to the huts for yourself and the guide;

. Cable car tickets of Le Tour, roundtrip.

 

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

. Personal technical equipment: crampons, harness and ice axe rental in case of need (it can be organized upon booking);

. Lunches, snacks an drinks;

. All what is not explicitly mentioned in the section “The price includes".

Any question?

Contact us

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