Climb Mont Blanc

Mt Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps and, with its summit at 4807 meters above sea level, a great challenge. Despite its central position and frequent ascents, it retains its beauty. From the summit you can get an overview of a large portion of the European Alps and experience what most people only get to see from an airplane.

During this week we put all our effort and experience into giving you the best opportunity to reach the summit of Mont Blanc. However, when talking about the 64 summits above 4000 meters one has to keep in mind that 4807 meters is closer to 5000 meters than to 4000 meters. Mont Blanc is a demanding challenge although not technically difficult. Your mountain guide will teach you the skills and give you the best guiding and coaching, but you still have to climb under your own steam! To get the most out of your Mont Blanc experience you need to start preparing from home. This trip starts here and now.

Previous experience
You don't need any previous experience of alpine climbing. But you do need good fitness and stamina. If you are uncertain of your ability please contact info@mountainguide.se for more information. To do this trip you must be at least 16 years old.

Guide/Guest ratio: 1:4 day 1-3 and 1:2 day 4-6
By having 3 days with only 2 guests per guide, we get several possible summit days and better opportunities to reach the top.

Equipment
We will provide you with all climbing equipment needed for the course. It will be handed to you by your guide at the beginning of the week.
• Crampons
• Ice axe
• Helmet
• Harness
• Carabiner

Personal equipment – not included
If you don't have all the equipment that we recommend, it is possible to rent that at Snell Sport in Chamonix Snell Sports

• You will need a backpack, 35-45 litres
• Boots for alpine climbing (i.e. Sportiva Nepal Extreme or Trango Extreme Evo)
• Warm hat
• Thermal layer (wool or synthetic fabric, not cotton)
• Fleece top
• Fleece jacket
• Wind- and waterproof, breathable jacket
• Wind- and waterproof, breathable trousers
• Warm gloves or mitts
• Gloves
• Socks (and spares)
• Gaiters
• Head torch and batteries
• Sun glasses (for glacier, category 3 or 4 lens)
• Ski goggles (if storm winds or flat light)
• Water bottle (about 1,5 litres)
• Sun block
• Earplugs
• Travel sheets for sleeping in the huts (light, preferably silk)

Included
• Guiding by professional mountain guides and guide expenses
• Climbing equipment (refer to list above)
• Transport during the week (including bad weather options)
• Accommodation including breakfast from Saturday to Saturday 
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in double room, upgrade to single room can, if possible, be arranged at a supplemental cost.
• 4 nights in mountain huts
• Breakfast
• Lift tickets
• Dinner when in the huts on the mountain

Not included
• Lunch
• Drinks  
• Dinners in Chamonix
• Travelling to/from Chamonix

Week program
Day 1 – Sunday
You can check in at the hotel on Sunday afternoon. You will get more information about where we are staying and how to find your way there, a week before arrival.

Day 2 – Monday, first day of climbing
Your mountain guide will meet you at the hotel at 8 am. If you don't hear anything else.
We check the week's schedule, ensure that everyone has the right gear and hand out climbing equipment. We organise the picnic lunch for the first 2 days and share the load in our back packs. We drive through the Chamonix valley to get to Le Tour. From there we take the lift and hike to Refuge Albert 1er (refuge or cabane is French for hut) where we spend our first night. In the afternoon we will have our first session training with crampons and using an ice axe.

Day 3 – Tuesday
We start early for some alpine climbing and move higher up the Glacier. We have several achievable summits in this area, Aiguille du Tour with a rocky peak at 3542 meters being one of them. We are now on the Swiss side of the Alps and spend the night in the Cabane du Trient at 3170 meters.

Day 4 – Wednesday
We spend the day working on our skills and getting used to the altitude, all to prepare for our summit attempt. Another peak in the area is gained before we descend to Chamonix for a night in the valley. After 3 days on the mountain a shower is nice.

Day 5 – Thursday
After a night in the valley, giving the body time to rest, we are ready to head towards the summit. We take a cable car and then a mountain train to Nid d'Aigle (The Eagle's Nest). Using lifts up and down is important as it gives us quick access to altitude and saves precious energy. From here we start the climb up to the Tete Rousse Hut (3167 m) or Cosmiques. Up to the guide to decide. 

Day 6 – Friday
We have breakfast at 1 o'clock in the morning and leave the hut with head lamps on. On our way up we can enjoy the sunrise.

If the weather is bad we stay in the hut another night and have Friday as an alternative summit day. When spending time in the mountains it is of great importance to take weather conditions into consideration. Our guides do their utmost to give you a great experience where safety always comes first. It is their job to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts. We can not change the weather but we can plan our trips so that we have a few alternative days to reach the summit! If necessary we may make an attempt to reach the summit as early as Wednesday.

Remeber, this day will be at least 10-12 hours climbing up and down, probably more. Low-intensity practice for long time from now until a week before your trip will get you better prepared.

Important!
In order for us to climb the summit the weather needs to be stable enough on the last days for us to avoid unreasonable risk along the way up OR down the mountain.
If the forecast shows for example thunder, strong winds or very hot temperatures, we will not climb the summit. This is a safety decision the mountain guides will make just the days before the summit climb. 

Day 7 – Saturday
Alternative day to reach the summit. If we already have reached the summit this will be a day of recovery or for leisurely rock climbing in the valley of Chamonix.

Day 8 – Sunday
Breakfast at the hotel is included before departure.
If you would like to stay longer in Chamonix just let us know when booking and we can reserve the hotel room for you.

Insurance
The best insurance for alpine climbing you get by being a member of one of the Alpine clubs in the Alps. We recommend that you become a member of the Austrian Alpine Club.

More information
Please note that it takes at least two participants per trip for us to carry out the course for the price listed below.

If you have any questions about this trip, feel free to e-mail info@mountainguide.se  or call +46 702 49 47 00