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Mont Blanc Week | ||||||
Dates: 8-13 June, 13-18 July, 24-29 Aug Price: £995 Ratio: 1:4, then 1:2 | ||||||
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Mont Blanc (4810m) is the highest peak in western europe. Although an impressive and imposing mountain, it is a very feasible objective if you have a good level of fitness and previous hill walking experience. We teach all the necessary skills to make the ascent during this course. You can expect several predawn starts during the week (but restful afternoons in the sun), with a 1am start on the Mt Blanc day! Temperatures vary alot, with below freezing dawn starts to 'roasting' on sunny afternoons. It is not unusual for it to be -10 to -15 degrees on the summit. But the views and relaxing beer in the sun afterwards make it all worthwhile! We normally climb the Gouter Ridge route up Mt Blanc, giving a variety of climbing styles starting with a 2.5 hr walk to the Tete Rousse hut, followed by a 600m easy rocky scramble to the Gouter hut at 3800m, followed by glacial slopes and finally an airy, narrow snow ridge to the summit. However, at your guides discretion, the traverse from the Aig du Midi may be attempted. This traverses over the shoulders of Mt Blanc du Tacul and Mt Maudit before climbing the long summit slopes of Mont Blanc. This is a more demanding undertaking requiring good snowconditions. Included in the price: guides fees and expenses, 4 nights halfboard accommodation in mountain huts Not included in the price: Travel to and from Chamonix at the start/end of trip, accomodation in Chamonix, equipment rental, insurance, lunches and drinks, any skilift tickets. Meet: We meet Saturday evening (day 0) at 6pm in Chamonix to deal with any equipment rental and run through the plan for the week. We finish in Chamonix Friday afternoon and recommend you book your return flight on Saturday morning. | Kit List Ice axe - for general mountaineering (at least 60cm long) Crampons - for general mountaineering with anti-ballingplates Helmet Poles - optional Boots - these must fit and be comfortable. We feel it is best not to rent boots. Rather buy some and have them fitted professionally - this will make your week much more comfortable, fun and blister free! Try and make sure they broken in before the week. They should either be 'plastic' or high-end insulated leather and must be compatible with your crampons. Rucksack - 40-50l Waterbottle 1L - not platypus type - they freeze and leak. Harness, 2 screw gate karabiners, belay device, 1 8-foot sling 2 pairs sunglasses (cat 4), goggles, sunhat, sunscreen, lip salve/block 3 sets socks and light coloured thermal tops Lightweight goretex top/bottoms, warm hat, thick gloves, thin gloves Insulating layers. I use a thin '100' weight fleece and a synthetic duvet jacket. Personal first aid - blister kit, ibuprofen. Head torch and gaiters Book/iPod for spare time in huts Remember kit should be lightweight but functional - you have to carry it! We can help with equipment rental in Chamonix. Typical Itinerary Day1 - walk up to the Orny hut followed by crampon/ice axe instruction. Overnight at the hut. Begin acclimatising. Day2 - climb the Petit Fourche(3520m) and descend to the Trient hut (overnight). Day3 - climb the Aig du Tour(3540m) and descend to Chamonix for a well earnt rest. During this phase we will have acclimatised, climbed two quality peaks and learnt the necessary skills for the main event... Day4-6 - climbing Mt Blanc takes two days, but we build in a spare day in case of bad weather to maximise the chance of success.. We enjoy an 80-90% summit success rate on this programme, and almost 100% enjoyment rate! | ||||
What to expect from mountain huts They are basic but comfortable. They can cater for vegetarians. Food is usually on a set menu basis (3 course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast). Often there is no running water and so you have to buy water to drink and wash with (no showers). You can usually buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks. Sleeping arrangements are normally dormitory style bunkbeds (eg 6 people on the bottom, 6 on the top) with blankets or duvets. There is certain 'hut etiquette'. On arrival we leave our boots and metal ware in the entrance bootroom before going inside. Huts can be economical on space, and so staying tidy helps everyone! In the morning, breakfast will be early. We need to make sure the bedrooms are left as we found them (no rubbish, blankets/duvets folded). You can expect a good atmosphere and a stunning view! See links page for Chamonix accomodation and airport transfers from Geneva. | |||||
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