Climbing Mont Blanc / in 3 days

Climbing Mont Blanc - 3 days programme :

The program is approximate and, in case of bad weather, there might be variations to be agreed between the guide and the participants.

DAY 1 : Walk to the Tête Rousse refuge

Vertical drop: +700 m

Meeting with the mountain guide at 12:30 in Les Houches, to take the Bellevue cable car and then the tramway to the Nid d'Aigle at 2300m. Then a 3-4 hour hike to the Tête Rousse glacier awaits us.

Dinner and overnight stay at the Tête Rousse hut (3167m).

DAY 2: ASCENT OF MONT BLANC,
Tête Rousse hut - Aiguille du Gouter - Dôme du Gouter - Mont Blanc - Gouter hut

Vertical drop: + 1700 m / - 1000 m

The longest day of about 10 hours. Departure at 5am via the Tête Rousse glacier to reach the famous Gouter couloir.

The climb passes through rocky sections to reach the Aiguille du Gouter and the Cabane du Gouter, where we can take a short break.

We then climb the Dôme de Gouter and continue to the Vallot hut. Then we start the famous Arête des Bosses, which can be more or less technical depending on the conditions.

The second slope is technically easier, but the effects of the altitude and fatigue will start to show.  With motivation we will continue the ascent before climbing the final ridge that leads to the summit of Mont Blanc.

At the summit we will have time to contemplate the view of the Western Alps, take photos, catch our breath and congratulate each other!
Then it's time for the descent, after this long climb we make a short descent and sleep at the Refuge du Gouter. We enjoy the exceptional view for our last night in altitude, the highest at over 3800 metres.

Please note that the Gouter and Tete Rousse huts are interchangeable, depending on when we can get reservations.

Dinner and overnight at the Gouter hut (3800m).

DAY 3 - Descent
Refuge du Gouter - Descent of the Aiguille du Gouter - Refuge de Tête Rousse - Nid d'Aigle - Les Houches - Chamonix

Vertical drop: - 1500 m

The night allows the Gouter couloir to refreeze, we will descend with the first light of day on the north face, quickly reaching the Tête Rousse refuge before the rock falls start again. We will then go back down by the path we took 48 hours before to reach Les Houches and then Chamonix to enjoy a well deserved beer in the mountaineering capital and a spectacular view on the Mont Blanc summit!

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

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

HOW TO DRESS

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
• water bottle and thermos
• 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).

Covid 19 Special:

• one pair of light shoes or sleepers to walk inside the hut
• a sleeping bag for the nights at the huts (in France blankets are not given, due to Covid 19)
• a pillowcase or light inflatable cushion for the refuge
• hydroalcolic gel and masks

Level required for climbing Mont Blanc

Long route purely glacial that requires good training, good technical level and good ability to concentrate. Some short sections are steep (55 °), sometimes icy, and require a good mastery in the use of ice axe and crampons. Finally, a good adaptability to high altitude is also necessary.

This ascent requires good physical preparation because it takes about 10 to 12 hours of climbing at high altitude; moreover it is necessary to have some experience in the use of ice axe and crampons.

Good altitude acclimatisation is necessary to increase the chances to reach the summit and to avoid mountain sickness: it is necessary to have already climbed a 3500 meters summit or to have slept at altitude one or two weeks before the Mont Blanc.

Useful information to plan your Mont Blanc climb

Insurance

We recommend to have your own personal travel insurance, covering accident abroad and repatriation.

HOW TO REACH CHAMONIX :

• Via Geneva or other French airports: you can easily reach Chamonix by train from the main French airports or Geneva airport;
• Via the French train network to Chamonix station.

If you wish, we can arrange a taxi for you from the airport: please ask for details when booking.

Meeting point on the first day

Meeting with the guide at 12:30 in Les Houches, at the Bellevue cable car departure point: click here to see the map.

Last day - departure point

The group will say goodbye in Les Houches, at the Bellevue cable car departure point.

Car parking: you can park your car in front of the Bellevue gondola in Les Houches.

TRAINING: HOW TO TRAIN FOR CLIMBING MONT BLANC?

• Do regular physical activity and endurance training throughout the year;
• Specific training: train in the mountains, on races with progressive gradients (500 mt; 1000 mt; 1500 mt), a few months before your departure date; you must be able to support a positive and negative gradient of 1500 m, without getting too tired.
• Remember that the weight of your pack and the altitude have an effect on your usual fitness: don't overestimate your capacities and train to optimize your chances of success and enjoy your ascent to the 4000 highest in Europe!

Guiding: 2 people per guide during the 3 days, to optimise your chances of success.

If the group does not reach the summit for any reason (bad weather, bad mountain conditions, tiredness or discomfort of one of the participants...), no refund or compensation is provided. Check our Terms and Conditions.