Climb Mont Blanc
1024 - 4810m
Mont Blanc (4810m) is the highest peak in Western Europe, and climbing it is an unforgettable experience. If you have a good level of fitness and previous hill walking experience you’ll find it a challenging but achievable goal. During the course the qualified and experienced guides will teach you all the specific skills required during the climb to the summit of Mont Blanc.
You can expect a couple of predawn starts during the week, with some time to relax in the afternoons, and a 1am start on the Mont Blanc summit day!Temperatures can vary a lot, ranging from below zero for dawn starts to hot sunny afternoons. It is not unusual for it to be -10 to -15 degrees on the summit, but the views and relaxing beer in the sun afterwards make it all worthwhile!
At a glance
- 7 nights catered accommodation in chalets and mountain huts
- Qualified mountain guides
- In-resort transport to and from start/finish points
- Extras: uplifts according to itinerary
- Price of £1,740 pp, including accommodation, catering and itinerary.
- Courses run Sunday to Sunday from Mid-June to Mid-September
Climb Mont Blanc - The Route
We usually take the Gouter Ridge route up Mont Blanc, giving a variety of climbing styles starting with a steady 2.5 hr walk to the Tête Rousse hut where we stay overnight. Summit day starts with a 600m easy rocky scramble (2.5hrs) to the Gouter hut at 3800m, where we stop for a quick break. We continue on glacial slopes followed by an airy, narrow snow ridge to the summit (7hrs up total, and a long way down!). This route offers the highest success rate.
However, at your guide's discretion, the traverse from the Aiguille du Midi may be attempted. This traverses over the shoulders of Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit before climbing the long summit slopes of Mont Blanc. This is more demanding and requires good snow conditions.
Who can take part?
Participants must have a good level of endurance fitness. Previous mountaineering experience is a bonus, but not vital as we teach all the necessary skills as part of the week. Altitude makes everything harder and the summit of Mont Blanc is high so grit and determination are essential to keep you going until you reach your goal!
Itinerary
Acclimatisation is crucial to success on Mont Blanc and our tried and tested itinerary emphasises this.
Saturday
Meet in the evening at 6pm for a briefing including weather/conditions and the plan for the week. You will meet your Guides and can ask any questions you may have. There will also be time to pick up extra kit if needed.
Sunday
Final kit check and opportunity for kit hire, before we drive to le Tour and walk to the Albert 1er hut (2700m). After a short break we then descend to the glacier for crampon/ice axe instruction in the afternoon. We stay at the hut overnight to begin acclimatising. (2.5hrs to the hut)
Monday
After an early start to climb the Petit Fourche (3520m) we then descend to the Trient hut (3200m) where we stay overnight. Glacier travel instruction and practice. (7hrs)
Tuesday
Another early start to climb the Aiguille du Tour (3540m). This is a great peak where we will practice easy rocky scrambling to the pointy summit, before heading back down to Chamonix for a well earned rest. (7hrs)
By this point we will have acclimatised, climbed two excellent peaks in glacial terrain and have learnt and practised the necessary skills for our ultimate goal - Mont Blanc.
Wednesday - Friday
The climb to the top of Mont Blanc takes two days, but we factor in an extra day to allow for bad weather and to maximise the chance of success. We usually climb Mont Blanc via the Gouter Ridge, as this route offers the best chance of summit success, however, if conditions are better on the '3 Monts' route then we will take this route.We have an 80-90% summit success rate on this course, and a 100% satisfaction rate!
Chalet Accommodation
When in Chamonix the accommodation is one of the Adventure Base Chalets, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre's restaurants and bars. Breakfast and packed lunch are included leaving the evenings free for you to explore Chamonix.
Mountain Huts
Mountain refuges are basic but comfortable. Food is usually on a set menu basis and includes a 3 course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast, and they can usually cater for vegetarians. Often there is no running water so we would buy water to drink and wash with - no showers! You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping arrangements are usually dormitory style bunks (6 people on the bottom, and 6 on the top) with blankets or duvets. No sleeping bags are needed, but a 'sheet sleeping bag' should be brought. ‘Hut slippers’ are provided by the huts. On this course we also ask the hut guardians to provide a packed lunch for the team each day. The refuges guarantee a unique atmosphere and stunning views!
Transport
Local transport in the Chamonix valley is included so you won’t have to walk home after a long descent! Uplifts according to the itinerary are also included (using more uplifts incurs additional cost)
What's included
- mountain huts at full-board (with packed lunch)
- guides expenses
- uplifts according to itinerary
- guiding fees
- in resort transport
- chalet accommodation (B&B with packed lunch)
What's not included
- transport to/from Chamonix
- equipment rental
- travel insurance
- evening meals in Chamonix
