Duration: 5 days
Dates: June-September
Activity: Mountaineering
Location: Chamonix - Alps
Fitness level:
Technical level:

Mont Blanc, known in Italy as Monte Bianco, stands as the loftiest peak in the Alps, soaring to a height of 4,810 meters. This impressive elevation not only secures its position as the pinnacle of the European Union but also ranks it among the loftiest summits on the broader European landscape, with only a handful of mountains in Russia and Georgia surpassing it.

Embarking on the ascent of Mont Blanc via the Goûter refuge or the 4000’s route holds a coveted place on the bucket lists of numerous mountaineers. While the climb doesn’t require advanced technical skills (no actual climbing is required), being in good shape is essential due to the substantial elevation gain encountered over the course of the journey. Adequate acclimatization in the days leading up to the ascent is equally essential.

The “One goal: Ascent to Mont Blanc” program extends over five days and you’ll be accompanied by a certified guide. It is meticulously crafted to facilitate proper acclimatization while improving the targeted techniques needed to conquer Mont Blanc. During the preparatory phase, we will undertake activities that mirror the technical demands of Mont Blanc, albeit in a more condensed form. These days serve as an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with high-altitude conditions, progressively refining our techniques day by day.

Itinerary

Day 1Hike up to the Albert 1º hut (2707m)

In the morning, we will meet in Chamonix to get on the bus that will take us to the ski resort of Le Tour. Alternatively, we could also meet at the ski resort if it works better for you. Once we sort out the equipment, we will take a cable car followed by a chairlift, which will take us all the way up to Les Autannes (2195m).

From there, we will start the approach to the Albert 1º hut (2707m), walking along a beautiful path with gorgeous views to the entire Chamonix Valley. This will be a long journey upward that will help us to get our legs warmed up. After turning and contemplating the fabulous views of the Glacier du Tour, all that’s left for us is going up the most vertical part of the moraine, with the refuge already in sight. After approximately 2 hours of ascent and 600 meters gain, the refuge will be awaiting us with unforgettable panoramic views.

We will arrive at the refuge, where we will leave the things that we will not need for the rest of the journey. Then we will go down to the glacier to do the activity scheduled for this noon: crampon technique, meetings in the snow, use of ice axes, etc. After we’re done with the activity, we will return to the refuge where we will spend the night on a half board basis.

Altitude difference: +500m -350m / Distance 5,5km / Duration: 4-6h.
Night: Albert 1º hut

Day 2Climb Aiguille du Tour (3542m)

After a well deserved rest, we will get up early to have breakfast and will get ready to go. We will leave the shelter geared up. We will start our day by going up a rock path that will take us to the glacier in a short time, where we will put on our crampons and rope ourselves. This will be the start of a beautiful glacial journey over the Glacier du Tour to the Col Superior du Tour (3,289m) with a final part that gets a bit more vertical. The reward however, is the passing to the immense Glacier du Trient, on the southern slope, from where we will finish the approach to the base of the needle. From the refuge it will take us between 3 and 4 hours to cover the 850 positive meters of elevation gain to the summit.

An easy climb on rock and snow with grade II steps and a 100-meter drop will take us to the summit of the Aiguille du Tour located at 3,542 meters, with jaw-dropping views that won’t be easy to forget.

We will go down along the same path, passing through the refuge (we will make a stop here to pick up everything we left behind), and then will catch the chairlift down. The descent from the top will take us between 3 and 4 hours, making 1,450 meters of negative elevation gain.

Altitude difference: +800m -1350m / Distance 11,5km / Duration: 5-7h.
Night: Chamonix

Day 3Walk up to the Tête Rousse hut (3165m)

We will meet at noon either in Chamonix or in the parking lot of the Bellevue cable car (Les Houches). From there, we will go up to the refuge as we have a short and comfortable approach. We will have plenty of time in the morning to get our backpacks ready and do some shopping if needed. Before we start, we will check our gear and we will take the cable car that goes up to Bellevue (1794m), from Les Houches. Up there, we will join the Mont Blanc rack railway, which will take us to Nid d’Aigle (2362m), where our walk begins..

From this point, we will endure a 2 to 3 hours approach, and about 800 meters of positive gain in altitude to the Tête Rousse refuge, located at 3,165 meters, next to the glacier with the same name.

Depending on the season, we could find snow already where the train stops, or find it all dry until we reach the refuge.

Altitude difference: +800m -0m / Distance: 3,2km / Duration: 2-3h.
Night: Tête Rousse hut

Day 4Ascent of Mont Blanc (4810m) (Summit day)

After a rather short night, we will get up at 4am to have breakfast and start our climb. It will be a long day. We will leave the refuge with the headlamp on and depending on the conditions, we will use all the gear (crampons, harness, helmet, etc.). Shortly after leaving the refuge, we will cross the famous bowling alley (safer at dawn) and ascend the renowned path equipped with cables to the Goûter hut (3815m), where we will stop to have something to eat. We will continue the day, now through glacial terrain. Right after, we will pass near the Dôme de Goûter (4304m), from where we will have a beautiful view of the Vallot refuge (4,362m) and the summit of Mont Blanc, with the Bosses ridge joining them. From this point on, the ascent becomes a bit more technical and exposed. We will hike the beautiful ridge, sometimes quite narrow, passing between the two small peaks of Les Bosses (Humps) at 4513 meters. From there, a long ridge will take us to the long-awaited summit of Mont Blanc at 4810 meters.

We will descend along the same way to the Goûter hut, all on glacial terrain, where we will spend the night.

Altitude difference: +1650m -1000m / Distance: 9,4km / Duration: 10-12h.
Night: Goûter hut

Day 5Return to Chamonix (2º summit attempt if required)

We are already on the last day and all we need to do is to get down! On this final day, we’ll get up early too, although not as much as the previous day. We will prepare everything and will start our way down. It is advisable to go down as soon as possible so we can get through the bowling alley early. Once we clear this zone, the risks are minimal. We will pass near the Tête Rousse hut, where we can make a stop or continue to the train at Nid d’Aigle (2362m).

In the event that we were unable to reach the summit the day before for whatever reason (altitude sickness, fatigue, weather…), this day will be our last chance for a final attempt. We will need to get up early as we did the day before, and reach the summit quite early so we make sure we have time to get on the train on time.

The descent will be by the same itinerary as the ascent.

Altitude difference: +0m -1450m / Distance: 4,7km / Duration: 4-5h.
Night: Chamonix

For security reasons, your guide is entitled to modify the programme based on his own judgement regarding weather conditions, participants preparedness, huts and lifts availability, etc. The duration indicated for each stage of the ascension is an approximate one hence it is only indicated for information purposes.

Price

Info

Equipment

Dates

#All prices are per person#

GROUP	5 DAYS	6 DAYS
1 Person	3.590€/ pers.	4.050€/ pers.
2 Persons	2.220€/ pers.	2.450€/ pers.
3 Persons	2.350€/ pers.	2.620€/ pers.
4 Persons	1.980€/ pers.	2.180€/ pers.

Ask for more people / For groups of 3 and 4 people, a second guide will join you for the 3-day climb to Mont Blanc.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Guiding services during the trip with a IFMGA English speaking mountain guide.
3 nights in mountain huts on a half-board basis (evening meal and breakfast).
Uplifts (cable cars and trainway) according to itinerary.
All guiding fees.
Safety equipment provided by your guide (ropes, carabiners, first aid kit).

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Transport to and from Chamonix.
Accommodation in Chamonix on Day 0 & 2.
Evening meals in Chamonix.
Personal daily snacks, lunch and drinks
Personal technical equipment including your mountaineering shoes.
Personal travel insurance. Recommended: www.europ-assistance.com.
Gratuities for the guides.

Information of the activity Mont Blanc ascent with Mountain guide in Chamonix with acclimatization- Alps

We will meet the day before the start of the activity in Chamonix at some time around 18:00. After a short introduction we will present the activity to you. We will do a thorough equipment check and will get our backpacks ready for the day after. This will be your chance to buy any equipment you may need with the help and advice from your guide.

Mont Blanc sits 4805m above the sea level, which for some people may cause altitude sickness. Symptoms of altitude sickness include but are not limited to headache and nausea. In order to prevent these symptoms, it is of key importance doing some sort of acclimatization prior to the ascension.

Your guide´s experience and personal criteria is fundamental for the successful completion of the activity. If your guide believes that you are not physically nor technically prepared for a safe ascension, he will have the right to cancel the agreed activity and propose an alternative activity that is more in line with the participant´s skills.

Mountaineering-related physical training must be carried out during the months prior to the activity in order to make sure the participant is physically prepared to complete the activity. We consider this training period to be of the utmost importance for the achievement of your goal.

Weather conditions at high altitude may rapidly change, making it unsafe to continue with the ascension. This may happen at any point during the ascension.

It is of key importance to book your place in a shelter for the following season before New Year’s Day since it is impossible to find a single sport at the Gouter and Tete Rousse shelters by summer time.

In the event that we are lucky enough to get to the Tete Rousse shelter wearing trainers and shorts, we will be allowed to leave unnecessary clothes or equipment in a locker and collect them on our way down.

ACCOMODATION:

We´ll spend the first night at the Cosmico shelter on a half-board plan.
3rd and 4th night we´ll spend them at the Tete Rousse shelter and Gouter shelter on a half-board plan.
You won’t be able to find showers nor running water at the shelters.
Due to hygiene reasons, it is mandatory to use the sleeping bag linen.
It is recommended to bring earplugs with you as we will be in a shared accommodation..
Most shelters provide slippers.
There is a wide range of accommodation in the Chamonix Valley for the days prior to the activity.

FOOD:

Normalmente las cenas son entre las 18h y 19h, dependiendo del refugio.
You will be served breakfast and dinner at the Cosmicos, Tete Rousse and Gouter shelters.
Water is not supplied by the shelters. Cash is needed to purchase bottled water at the shelters.
It is recommended to bring some snacks with you such as energy bars, nuts, dehydrated fruit, chocolate, gels, etc. Please bear in mind that you are going to be in a mountain shelter so have a think about what food is sensible to bring up there.
There is a chance staff at the shelters prepare a little picnic for us to take out.
Dinner is usually served between 6 and 7 pm, depending on which shelter we are at.

DOCUMENTATION:

EU National Identity Card or Passport
Valid Membership Card of any Mountain Federation you are a member of with coverage in Europe.
Proof of Personal Injury Protection or private insurance.

Clothing