Climb Mont Blanc with Dream Guides
Summit the highest peak in Europe! For beginner to intermediate mountaineers.
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. Whether it is classic Alpine peaks like Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn, or a week climbing hidden gems, or it is your first time to the Alps - Chamonix is a perfect base.
Mont Blanc course - 6 days:
We start with 3 days and 2 nights spent high in the Mont Blanc range acclimatising and learning the basic skills, all the while climbing the Petit Fourche and Aig du Tour. This is followed by a two-day ascent of Mont Blanc, leaving a crucial contingency day in case of bad weather.
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 a lot, 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 snow conditions.
Mont Blanc course - 6 days:
We start with 3 days and 2 nights spent high in the Mont Blanc range acclimatising and learning the basic skills, all the while climbing the Petit Fourche and Aig du Tour. This is followed by a two-day ascent of Mont Blanc, leaving a crucial contingency day in case of bad weather.
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 a lot, 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 snow conditions.
Price
From: GBP1095 per person (1 week)
Price Includes
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!
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!
Accommodation Details
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