Mont Blanc at 4808m is the highest mountain in Western Europe and as such draws Mountaineers from around the world. The Climbnow team run 10-day courses (less if booked as private guiding) including one rest day to ensure proper acclimatisation and the maximum opportunity to experience good weather and successfully climb the mountain. The grade range of this course will be F to AD-.
Dates: June, July, September.
Ratio: 1:2 Maximum.
Who’s it for: Anyone with hill walking experience who wishes to experience mountaineering in the Alps and learn some alpine mountaineering skills.
| WHAT’S INCLUDED | WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED |
|---|---|
| Instruction/Guiding | Insurance (essential) |
| Harnesses, helmets | Crampons, ice axe, boots (can be hired in Chamonix) |
| Personal hut fees on a half board basis | Accommodation in Chamonix |
| Transport during the course | Uplift |
| Guides hut fees, lunches and uplift | Personal lunches, drinks and drinks at huts |
Sample program
The course begins the evening before day one to hire and check equipment. This allows for an early start the next morning.
Day 1: Pick up in Chamonix followed by the short drive to Les Contamines. We then ascend to the Refuge des Conscrits. On the way, we complete an Ecole de Glace session on the Glacier Tre la Tete.
Day 2: From the Refuge, we climb Mont Tondu (3196m). This mountain allows us to practice our ice climbing skills from yesterday and spend some time scrambling on rock. We return to the Refuge des Conscrits.
Day 3: Today, we make the ascent of Aiguille de la Berangere (3425m) or if energy levels allow the traverse of the Domes de Miage (3673m) before returning to the valley and Chamonix.
Day 4: After a later start we drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to the Gran Paradiso National Park before making the 2.5-hour walk to the Chabod hut.
Day 5: From the Chabod hut we traverse the Gran Paradiso (4061m) to the Refuge Vittorio Emanuelle II hut.
Day 6: We return to the valley from the Vittorio Emanuelle II hut. If energy levels allow, rock climbing is on offer in the Chamonix area.
Day 7: Rest day.
Day 8: We return through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Val Veny and complete the hut approach to the Gonella hut.
Day 9: From the Gonalla hut we ascend Mont Blanc (4808m) via the Aiguille Grises route before returning to the hut.
Day 10: We descend from the hut to the valley and travel back to Chamonix.
Other possible objectives
- The Gouter route to Mont Blanc (4808m)
- The Refuge Albert Premier and the Aiguille du Tour (3542m)
- The Refuge Torino and La Tour Ronde (3792m)
