Climbing Mont Blanc in 5 days
In summary
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Sports
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Duration5 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationChamonix-Mont-Blanc / Mont Blanc Massif - France
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions32.18 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
In 5 days , experience the ascent of the legendary Mont Blanc (4810 m), the highest peak in Europe. This guided adventure combines technical training , gradual acclimatization , and an intense alpine experience . The first two days are dedicated to learning glacier travel techniques, including the ascent of an intermediate peak such as the Aiguille du Tour or the Tête Blanche , to prepare you both physically and mentally. The final ascent takes you past the Tête Rousse and Goûter mountain huts , before crossing the Dôme du Goûter and then the famous Bosses ridge . Once at the summit, an exceptional panoramic view unfolds before you: from the Matterhorn to the Écrins massif , all the way to Mont Viso . An unforgettable moment, worthy of your commitment. Back in Chamonix , you will leave with a sense of true accomplishment and memories that will last a lifetime.
The highlights
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Guided ascent of Mont Blanc, a mythical summit at 4810 m
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Training in alpine techniques on glaciers
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Friendly evenings in the mountain huts, sharing and enjoying the high mountain atmosphere
Photos
Sport
Level
Mountaineering
The expert's opinion
- You do endurance sports at least 3 to 4 times a week.
- You can string together 10 to 12 hours of effort with 1200 to 1700m of positive elevation gain.
- Are you comfortable carrying a bag weighing 8 to 12 kg?
- You are very comfortable in mountainous terrain (rocks, snow, glacier)
- You are proficient in the use of crampons and ice axe
- You are comfortable with exposed and aerial passages.
- You have already completed several mountaineering expeditions in recent years
- You can operate at high altitude (often above 4000m)
In figures
Mountaineering
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 850 m
- Average daily descent: 440 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
Hi, I'm Patrick, a high-mountain guide and native of the Piedmont region. I became a high-mountain guide in 2018 and since then, I've never left the peaks! As a mountain rescue instructor, I love sharing my experience and knowledge. Whether it's on Monte Rosa, in my native Piedmont, or in the Aosta Valley, the Italian Alps are my playground and my home.
Program
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First lessons learned on a glacier
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet at 9am to collect your equipment and meet your guide. After a short cable car transfer to Charamillon, the adventure begins with a scenic climb leading to the Tour glacier.
The afternoon is devoted to a technical session : progression on snow, braking, crampons and safety basics.
At the end of the day, you reach the Albert 1er refuge (2702 m), perched facing a panorama, for a convivial evening at altitude.
Day 1 -
Aiguille du Tour or Tête Blanche: acclimatization
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 820 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure at dawn from the refuge to climb the Aiguille du Tour (3540 m) or the Tête Blanche (3420 m), depending on the conditions and the form of the group.
The route passes through the Col Supérieur du Tour and the Trient Glacier, bathed in the morning light. It's an opportunity to put rope and belaying techniques into practice.
In the late afternoon, return to Les Houches and overnight stay in a gîte (Gite Michel Fagot) . At the end of this stage, the guide assesses each participant's physical and mental readiness for the remainder of the climb.
Day 2 -
Towards the Tête Rousse refuge
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, take the cable car up and then the train to the Eagle's Nest.
From there, the approach to Mont Blanc begins via a gradual path leading to the Tête Rousse glacier.
The refuge (3167 m) welcomes you at the end of the day in a warm and friendly atmosphere. It's a welcome time to rest, with a detailed briefing to calmly prepare for the next day's climb.
Day 3 -
The ascent of Mont Blanc (4810 m)
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 11h
- Positive elevation gain 1630 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Rising at dawn to cross the rocks of the Aiguille du Goûter and reach the refuge of the same name (3800 m).
After a break, the climb continues towards the Dôme du Goûter, the Vallot pass, and the Vallot refuge. The demanding and technical Bosses ridge finally leads to the summit of Mont Blanc. From the roof of Europe, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before you: the Matterhorn, the Écrins massif, Monte Rosa, Monte Viso, and Mont Blanc itself.
After enjoying this unique moment, descent and night at the Goûter refuge.
Day 4 -
Back in the valley
- Activity Mountaineering
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
After breakfast at the mountain refuge, we descended to the Nid d'Aigle (Eagle's Nest) and then returned to the valley by cog railway. The expedition ended in Chamonix, with the pride of having reached a legendary summit and unforgettable memories!
Day 5
Note
Since the summer of 2021, all reservations at the mountain huts on the normal route of Mont Blanc (Tête Rousse Hut and Goûter Hut) are mandatory and non-transferable for the ascent. Reservations open at the end of the year for the following summer. Therefore, we register participants subject to availability at the Tête Rousse and Goûter Huts when their reservations open.
Above 4,000 meters, wind or bad weather often makes the ascent impossible or too dangerous. We anticipate these factors as best we can to make the best decisions and maximize your chances of reaching the summit. The high-mountain guide accompanying you knows Mont Blanc intimately; he is the sole authority on board and best qualified to assess the feasibility of the climb. Ultimately, the decision to proceed or not rests solely with him.
For this course, we confirm the possibility of attempting the climb two days before departure. However, high-mountain weather remains unpredictable (a frequent occurrence in Chamonix). The guide may therefore decide to modify the program or cancel the attempt on the morning of departure if safety conditions require it. When weather conditions necessitate a program adjustment for the safety of the group, this adjustment will not be eligible for a refund.
Accommodation
Access
We'll meet at 9am in Chamonix.
Go to the starting point
It is possible to travel by train to St-Gervais-les-Bains le Fayet station.
🚕 From there, you will need to take a taxi to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc (30 min).
Parking is available in Chamonix with a wide range of paid parking options.
🚗 If you don't have a car, please note that we encourage carpooling between participants by creating a WhatsApp group 10 days before departure: an opportunity to get to know each other before even starting your expedition!
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision: You will be supervised by 1 high mountain guide for the first 2 days, then 2 guides for the 3 days of climbing (1 guide for 2 participants)
- Accommodation: 3 nights in mountain huts and 1 night in a gîte, in shared dormitories with single beds
- Full board: all meals from dinner on the first day to the picnic lunch on the last day
- Water bottles: We include one 1L bottle of water per person at the Tête Rousse refuge and the Goûter refuge (last 2 nights)
- All the ski lifts mentioned in the program
- Common technical equipment: such as ropes, carabiners and ice screws
The price does not include
- Rental of individual mountaineering equipment: harness, ice axe, helmet and crampons (available for rent at the next stage of your booking)
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Day 1's picnic
- Mountaineering boots (we strongly recommend trying them on before departure)
Options
- Mountaineering Kit Rental : CHF164.66 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Crampon-compatible mountaineering boots
- Mountaineering helmet (recommended)
- Telescopic hiking poles
- Crampons and a straight ice axe (commendable)
- Climbing harness (commendable)
- Climbing shoes and chalk
- Water bottle (min 1.5L)
- Energy snacks (bars, dried fruit, etc.)
- Backpack (30 L)
- Lightweight silk sleeping bag liner/down sleeping bag
- Charged headlamp
- A picnic
- Reusable picnic kit (Tupperware, cutlery, fabric bag)
- Waterproof plastic for ID, phone, etc.
- Passport or ID
- Credit card and cash
- Insurance card
- CAF / FFCAM / Alpine Club card (if a member)
- Phone and charger
- External battery / power bank
- Book/notebook and pen
- Multitool / Swiss Army Knife
- Compeed or blister plasters
- Adhesive tape (repairs)
- Small personal pharmacy (ampoule kit, headache/nausea medication)
- Toiletries kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, earplugs)
- SPF 50 Cream
- SPF lip balm
- Microfiber towel
- Toilet paper / moist wipes (biodegradable)
- Earplugs
- Card game or small pocket game
Clothing to bring
- Comfortable sneakers (for breaks)
- Hiking pants
- Trousers for summer high mountaineering
- Fleece (Consider layering)
- Waterproof jacket with hood, "Gore-tex" type
- Down jacket
- Lightweight gloves
- Warm gloves
- Balaclava / Buff
- Beanie (without pom-pom)
- Sunglasses (cat. 4)
- Ski mask
- Hat or cap
- Technical and warm underwear (Merino wool)
- Warm socks (wool)
- Technical socks
- Running tights or long underwear
- Comfortable evening clothes + slippers
