Summit:
Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in Western Europe.
To get to the 'roof of Europe', we normally ascend by
either the classic Gouter route, or the Gonella from the
Italian Val Veny. 1:1 groups sometimes climb the 'Traverse'
route of the Trois Mont Blanc from the Midi.
USP:
Our primary focus is on getting you to the summit, no
faffing, no discussion, no fuss. If you train hard, are
focused, and the weather plays ball, we'll get you up
there. If you want us to wave a magic wand, and not put
in the training before, this really isn't the mountain
for you.
Skills:
You need high fitness, stamina and determination. Previous
crampon or altitude experience isn't necessary, though
is a bonus. Any skills you have will help, as well as
great balance combined with the ability to move quickly
and efficiently over broken mountain terrain.
Effort:
Due to the altitude and the length of the climb, we never
declare the ascent to be easy. Ideally you should be half
marathon fit, and used to long hill days. It is an unforgettable
experience to reach the summit, and you will test the
skills you have learnt along the way.
Experience:
Nearly
two decades of ascents, greatt local contacts, detailed
conditions and local safety awareness, to keep you safe
and maximise summit chances.
Contacts:
Through
local connections we are very flexible with our itinerary
to enable you to attempt Mont Blanc on almost any day
of your course, once you're ready.
Permits:
We
adhere to the new permit system on Mont Blanc, where proof
of hut bookings is checked on the mountain. All our hut
spaces are guaranteed.
Flexibility:
After
the first training day at a 1:6 guiding ratio, you have
four days guiding at a 1:2 ratio. These four days are
more than any other operator provides.
Safety:
On
our scheduled courses we have a 1:2 guiding ratio (1:1
on Traverse) for safety on the summit days for ascents
made by the Gouter or Gonella routes. Ages: We insist on a minimum age of 18 if unaccompanied, or 16 if they are climbing with their parent throughout the week. Ages are as per the course start date.
Course
itinerary For the full itinerary
of this course, click
here
to view the trip in greater detail on the main website.
Sun
Travel
to Chamonix, course briefing
Mon
Glacier
day to build crampon skills, and ice climb on the
Mer de Glace (2000m).
Tue
Day
route e.g. Cosmiques Arete, or ascend to mountain
hut e.g. Gran Paradiso.
Wed
Day
route e.g. Petite Verte, or Alpine start for ascent
e.g. Aiguille du Tour.
Thu
Ascend
to high hut (Gouter / Cosmiques / Gonella / Tete
Rousse) on Mont Blanc.
Fri
Summit
Mont Blanc 4810m, and descend to Chamonix for last
night celebrations!
Sat
Breakfast,
check out and depart
N.B.
Where
possible we follow itineraries. Mountain adventures
are weather and conditions dependant, so occasionaly
we are forced to alter the plans. If this is the
case, suitable alternatives are offered. Please
use this itinerary as a guide to the types of route
/ activity you attempt.
Course Dates Mont Blanc
[ 2 ] 25 - 31 Aug 2019
[ 0 ] 1 - 7 Sep 2019
[ 0 ] 8 - 14 Sep 2019
[ 2 ] 14 - 20 Jun 2020
[ 2 ] 21 - 27 Jun 2020
[ 2 ] 28 Jun - 4 Jul 2020
[ 2 ] 5 - 11 Jul 2020
[ 2 ] 12 - 18 Jul 2020
[ 2 ] 19 - 25 Jul 2020
[ 0 ] 26 Jul - 1 Aug 2020
[ 2 ] 2 - 8 Aug 2020
[ 2 ] 9 - 15 Aug 2020
[ 2 ] 16 - 22 Aug 2020
[ 2 ] 23 - 29 Aug 2020
[ 2 ] 30 Aug - 5 Sep 2020
[ 2 ] 6 - 12 Sep 2020
Course
spaces
The numbers in brackets next to each course date
indicate the remaining spaces. Please contact us
of you require more spaces, as often we can release
extra places, subject to availability.
The Hard Facts Many of those who are thinking of booking a Mont Blanc trip, find our 'The Hard Facts' booklet a useful and honest reality check. We encourage all climbers to give it a read; click
here
Helicopter
to the hut?
Heli-drops aren't allowed in France, but if you wish
to avoid ascending the Gouter couloir, or to save energy,
you can now arrange to fly in and out of the Gonella
hut on the Italian route. This costs 300€ per flight
(not included), and it can carry up to 5 people.
FREE
podcast
Training for Mont Blanc
A no holes barred podcast, where we explain
exactly what an ascent entails physically
and technically too, with examples of good
UK hill training...
Standard
Course Inclusions: 1) IFMGA Mountain Guide
for five days, 2) Chamonix course hosts for logistics
& briefings, 3) Evening technical instruction /
briefing sessions, 4) Twin / double room B&B accommodation
in Chamonix (inc. linen, bedding & towels) for the
whole week, so you don't move out when in huts, 5) One
night half board in mountain hut / base camp on Mont
Blanc for you and guide, 6) Pre course information booklet,
7) Equipment discount voucher for our UK shop, 8) Free
36 page technical Course Instruction Booklet, 9) Road
transport in Chamonix valley, 10) Icicle discounts privilege
QR code list for reductions in local shops and restaurants
in Chamonix.
Exclusions:
1) Travel to and from Chamonix, 2) Equipment hire, 3)
Cable cars & uplift (c. 80 euros depending on itinerary),
4) Optional second or more nights (not normally required)
in a mountain hut / base camp on a half board basis
for you and guide, 5) Personal laundry, telephone calls,
lunches, evening meals in valley, & any purchases
in mountain huts / hotels / restaurants, 6) Road transport
outside Chamonix valley (not usually required), 7) Sunday
pre-dinner drinks & Friday celebratory meal &
drinks, 8) Activities insurance, & excess baggage
charges.
Notes:
This course assumes 1:2 guiding from Tuesday to Friday,
after a shared glacier day of up to 1:6 ratio on the Monday.
Note that in the exceptionally rare occasion where is
there is just one person booked on a course, less 1:1
guiding days can be offered, however accommodation will
be provided for the whole week, and guiding options and
locations will be discussed with you within the budget
paid.
Summit:
Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in Western Europe.
To get to the 'roof of Europe', we normally ascend by
either the classic Gouter route, or the Gonella from the
Italian Val Veny. 1:1 groups sometimes climb the 'Traverse'
route of the Trois Mont Blanc from the Midi.
Experience:
Nearly
two decades of ascents, greatt local contacts, detailed
conditions and local safety awareness, to keep you safe
and maximise summit chances.
