Mont Blanc 4810m 2024

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Summit:Mont Blanc 4810m is the highest summit in Western Europe. To get to the 'roof of Europe', we normally ascend via the classic Gouter route, or by the Gonella route from the Italian Val Veny (early season). The week starts with a 2 day ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m to acclimatise.

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
Practising skills for moving over steep ground
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
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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: We offer ascents in core season, and also in the low season...

Core season - dates 16 June - 7 Sept 2024
In this period, ascents are operated when all cable cars / trains are due to be operating, to limit approach walks. The dates for the Tramway Mont Blanc are mid June - mid September (link). This limits the core season to a 12 week period, but it maximises your summit chances, and is easier physically.

Low season - dates 8-14 September 2024
During low season, it is quieter in the mountains due to less infrastructure being open, but there typically is cooler conditions with more snow on the route. Courses are operated remotely, with no resort team other than the guides. Icicle hire kit isn't available, but you can rent locally.
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 / Gonella 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
  • [ 4 ] 16 - 22 Jun 2024
  • [ 0 ] 23 - 29 Jun 2024
  • [ 0 ] 30 Jun - 6 Jul 2024
  • [ 0 ] 7 - 13 Jul 2024
  • [ 0 ] 14 - 20 Jul 2024
  • [ 1 ] 21 - 27 Jul 2024
  • [ 2 ] 28 Jul - 3 Aug 2024
  • [ 2 ] 4 - 10 Aug 2024
  • [ 4 ] 11 - 17 Aug 2024
  • [ 3 ] 18 - 24 Aug 2024
  • [ 0 ] 25 - 31 Aug 2024
  • [ 0 ] 1 - 7 Sep 2024
  • [5+] 8 - 14 Sep 2024
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.

Buy key equipment for this trip
FREE post for
UK orders over £30

FREE Icicle
neck gaiter for
orders over £50


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Mont Blanc guidebook
£21.95
BD Cosmo headtorch
£29.99
Camp Armour helmet
£49.00
Extremities Guide glove
£29.99
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Chamonix 3630OT map
£11.95
Grivel G12 crampons
£150.00
Grivel Air Tech Evo axe
£130.00
BD Epic 35l rucksack
£129.00
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...

Price:
£1899 Book online

£50 early bird voucher

Book your 2024 trip before 01 Dec 2023, and receive a £50 voucher for equipment purchases from the Icicle Windermere shop. Voucher expires 01 Jun 2024.
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.23.5€ return for Mont Blanc tramway), 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.



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