Summit: Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in
Western Europe. To get to the 'roof of Europe',
we ascend via the classic Gouter route on the French / NW aspect, starting from Les Houches in the Chamonix valley. The week starts with a 2 day acclimatisation and training ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m
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 excellent
fitness, stamina and determination. Following the glacial evolution during the heatwaves of 2022, sections (e.g. Bosses Arete) are more technical, so a minimum of 2 days crampon experience is now a pre-requisite, and ideally a 4000m Alpine peak / altitude experience. Great balance, combined with the
ability to move quickly and efficiently over
broken mountain terrain, is essential. You
should be confident on steep ridges. You are taught any necessary
ropework and skills during the week.
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. Preparation: To help prepare for an attempt on Mont Blanc, we recommend you book on at least one or more of these training and skills courses, to build up your fitness and skills to an ascent, to give you the very best chance. Experience
helps increase flexibility in terms of weather windows,
routes, speed, and safety. Higher levels of experience
will help raise summiting chances. Train hard, climb easy!
Lakes Training
Winter Toubkal
Rock Climbing
Winter Skills
Lake District weekend mountain training trips to develop footwork and hill fitness. 1:6 ratio; link
Climb the highest peak in the Morrocan Atlas, and develop crampon skills on the climb; link
Weekend of roped scrambles & multi pitch rock climbing, on a 1:2 instructor ratio ; link
Fort William based winter skills course. 2 days guiding 1:4 to build your crampon skills; link
Experience:
Over
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 ascent of Gran Paradiso (1:3 on summit day), you
spend the rest of the week at a 1:2 guiding ratio, to adapt as required.
Safety:
The guiding ratio (1:2 on Mont Blanc) on all climbs, is always the industry standard to maximise your safety and minimise risks. 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. Seasons: All our trips are offered in the core season, when all the mountain infrastructure is open. We have found that by trying to push the season to start in late May or early June is generally too snowy and unsettled, as it is in mid to late September, when it's too cold (-24C in mid Sept 2024). Our season is deliberately condensed to offer you only the weeks of season where your summit chances are maximised.
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
Briefing then drive to Val Savaranches, to climb to mountain hut for the night.
Tue
Alpine start to climb Gran Paradiso 4061m. Descent & return to Chamonix for night.
Wed
Day
route e.g. Cosmiques Arete / Lachenal / Toule / Marbrees, to acclimatise more.
Thu
Ascend
to high mountain hut (Gouter / Tete Rousse on Mont Blanc for night.
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
[ 0 ] 6 - 12 Jul 2025
[ 0 ] 13 - 19 Jul 2025
[ 1 ] 20 - 26 Jul 2025
[ 0 ] 27 Jul - 2 Aug 2025
[ 1 ] 3 - 9 Aug 2025
[5+] 10 - 16 Aug 2025
[ 1 ] 17 - 23 Aug 2025
[ 0 ] 24 - 30 Aug 2025
[ 4 ] 31 Aug - 6 Sep 2025
[ 0 ] 7 - 13 Sep 2025
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
Climbed Gran Paradiso?If you've already climbed Gran Paradiso, and want an alternative objective, we offer a 2 person Mont Blanc week (2 people booking together) on every week we offer Mont Blanc. On the first two days of the trip, you climb Aiguilles Marbrees and Aiguilles d'Entreves, with the night in the Rifugio Torino to acclimatise.
This course is 5 days of 1:2 guiding, and is bookable until 31 Dec 2024, so we can book extra hut spaces. Contact us to upload a private date for you. The cost per person for this option is £2395.
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...
£50 early bird voucher Book your 2025 trip before 01 Dec 2024, and receive a £50 *voucher for equipment purchases from the Icicle Windermere shop. Voucher expires 01 May 2025. *Note: voucher is your course invoice, showing date of booking. Voucher is non transferable. Can be appllied to any order over £100 in total.
Guiding:
5 full days mountain guiding
Holiday:
7 days in total, Sunday-Saturday
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 self-catered accommodation
in Chamonix (inc. linen, bedding & towels) for the
whole week, so you don't move out when in huts, 5) Two
nights half board in mountain huts / base camp for you and guide (1 on Gran Paradiso & 1 on Mont Blanc), 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 and transfer to and from Gran Paradiso, 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 for last 3 days (c.30€ total return for Bellevue cable car and Mont Blanc tramway) for you (& guide if required),
4) Optional second night (not normally required)
in Mont Blanc hut 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) Sunday pre-dinner
drinks & Friday celebratory meal & drinks, 7)
Activities insurance, & excess baggage charges.
Summit: Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in
Western Europe. To get to the 'roof of Europe',
we ascend via the classic Gouter route on the French / NW aspect, starting from Les Houches in the Chamonix valley. The week starts with a 2 day acclimatisation and training ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m
Lakes Training
