The Lac Blanc and the Mont Buet: Weekend Hike in Chamonix

Weekend Trekking Program

DAY 1 - SATURDAY
CHAMONIX - FLEGERE - LAC BLANC - REFUGE PIERRE A BERARD

Vertical Drop: + 1100 m and - 1000 m
Walking time: 6 - 7 hours approximately

We will meet at 8:30 am at the new Flégère gondola, which replaces the old cable car, we get to know each other and we will take a little time to have a look at your backpacks. We do not need to take a big backpack for two days only, spending one night in the Refuge Pierre à Berard. This would be the perfect chance in case it is your first time sleeping in a mountain hut,  the Refuge de Pierre à Bérard is located in a very wild valley where there is no artificial lights coming from the city: we will be able to observe the stars in a privileged way. You will surely see shooting stars in August. It is a small refuge nestled under an enormous block of granite which protects it from avalanches in winter.

DAY 2 - SUNDAY
REFUGE PIERRE A BERARD - MONT BUET - CHAMONIX

Vertical Drop:  + 1100 m and - 1700 m
Walking time: about 7 hours

We enjoy breakfast at the refuge before leaving for the ascent of Mont Blanc des Dames - Mont Buet: it is a great summit, which was climbed very regularly by the Mountaineers Women in the 19th century, that's where the name of this pretty summit comes from. The climb is steady and quite quick, walking up by a path at first, then along a rocky area where your Guide will show you the way and give you some advices to improve. Towards the Col de Salenton we will find a small path to continue our climb. Mont Buet is not far from Switzerland and overlooks the Cirque du Fer à Cheval towards Samoens. The view on Mont Blanc is magnificent, Switzerland and Grand Ruan, the ascent and descent are quite fast despite the significant elevation.

We eat at the top to enjoy the view, on the way down we will stop at the refuge to nibble a piece of Gateau or other for those who are greedy!

On the descent we may do an initiation to Mountain Trail Running, some parts of the path are an ideal playground for mountain running.

The descent takes us to the Buet station, to return by train to Chamonix and find our starting point again.

End of the Week End.
See you soon for new good times in the mountains!

* Price per person (without insurance)

Your Budget for 2 days hiking & 1 night

The price includes

• assistance of a certified UIMLA Trekking Guide from our Team;
• Half board accommodation as described in the program;
• Mandatory cablecars tickets;
• Picnics, every day;
• Mandatory transports along the program.

The price does not include

• Cancellation / interruption of stay / luggage loss and accident insurance;
• Drinks and personal expenses;
• Additional nights outside the program;
• All that is not indicated in the section "The price includes".

Your expenses on site

• Drinks;
• Out-of-program visits and transfers;
• Tips.

The backpack

If possible take a light backpack with good carrying, the backpack should not exceed 1.5 kg.

Backpack for 2 days:

Leters:

• Small people: 35 liters max
• Tall people : 45 liters max

• Small people: 5/6 kilos max, without water and food
• Tall people: 6/7 kilos max, without water and food

Count 2 liters of water and 1 kg of food for the day.

Special Covid 19:

• a pair of light shoes for the Hut
• 1 light sleeping bag for the night at the Hut (comfort about + 10 ° C)
• an inflatable pillow
• hydroalcollic gel and two washable masks

Head-to-toe material for the Trek:

• 1 cap or hat for the sun
• 1 Hat for the cold
• 1 optional buff or choker but very pleasant in bad weather
• 1 Jacket type Gore Tex or similar windproof and waterproof
• 1 pair of gloves
• 1 warm fleece or thick down to withstand negative temperatures
• 2 sweaters: a light one and a warmer one, if it's cold you can put all the layers on
• 1 warm tight
• 1 lighter pant, there are pants that you can zip off to make shorts
• 1 short
• 1 light rain hood or waterproof bag protector
• 1 waterproof bag to keep items dry inside your backpack
• 1 bag for dirty things
• 1 light sheetbag for sleeping at the huts
• 1 pair of light slippers for the refuge, in case you do not want to wear the hut' slippers or a pair of light trail shoes.
• 1 pair of mountain shoes with Vibram type sole of good quality or similar: if possible try to wear your shoes before the trek, watch out for old shoes which can deteriorate very quickly in the mountains.

Do not forget  :

• sunscreen index 30 to 50
• one pair of sunglasses category 3
• one front lamp
• cash money for huts and documents

Toiletries  :

• 1 lightweight quick dry toilet towel
• 1 body soap
• 1 toothbrush with small toothpaste or a started one
• 1 pair of earplugs to better sleep at night in a refuge

Pharmacy & others:

• Your usual or personal treatments
• 1 light survival blanket + a little candle and a lighter
• a nail clipper
• what to make small dressings
• some compresses and plaster or better Strappal

Your guide will have a more complete pharmacy in the event of a larger accident.

For realx time: A small book or card game (less than 150 grams)…

Necessary for meals:

• 1 tuperware large enough to contain a nice salad for lunch
• 1 light knife: Opinel type
• 1 fork and 1 spoon
• 1 nice specialty to share with the rest of the Team, liquid or solid

The hiker's enemy is weight, but a frozen or soaked hiker is a hiker without pleasure, so take the time to properly pack your bag.

Useful Information to plan your Hiking Weekend

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is advised as well as other insurance guaranteeing search and mountain rescue

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.

Meeting on the first day

The meeting on Saturday morning is at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Flegère Cable Car station.

End of the trekking weekend: at the flégère gondola at 6 p.m. at the latest, the day wiil be quite long to go to the top of Mont Buet. You can pick up your car after we have returned by train from the Buet village.