Climbing – Mont Blanc Ascent

Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival – transfer to Le Fayet
Welcome by your France Outdoors Mountain leader at Geneva airport, transfer to the 2 star family run hotel la Chaumiere 1 hour 30 minutes drive max. Altitude 580 m. Le Fayet is perfect base location for your trip. It opens up to the valley of les Contamines for the first two days and is just beside the train to Nid d’aigle for the Mont blanc ascent. Also the hotel is only 20 min walk to the Thermal bath of Saint Gervais which you may like to use during your stays there to relax before and or after your big climb!
Dinner not incl (numerous restaurants around the hotel).

Day 2: Acclimatisation – Col de la Croix du Bonhomme hut.
Today after a short transfer to the end of the valley of les Contamines, you will start the walk from the Chapel “Notre dame de la Gorges”, lovely church which was from the 13th century to the early 19th century, the local parish church for the residents of the valley. From there you will walk the Tour du Mont Blanc trail to the hut col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2433 m). At this altitude the night will be very beneficial to begin your acclimatisation process to Mont Blanc climb.
Walk with Mountain leader.
Ascent: 1290 m Descent: 106 m Distance: 12 km
Breakfast & Dinner incl. Lunch not incl.

Day 3: Altitude walk / technical walking.
Today you will continue to acclimatise and will enjoy a stunning scenic walk. First part of the walk is a ridge walk to Enclave lake. This walk is mainly on track but sometimes off tracks creating a perfect technique training for the Gouter hut climb. Then the walk will become more technical to the col d’Enclave (2672 m). From there the descent to the lake Jovet (2174 m) is steep and requires care and again is ideal for the necessary footwork you will need for Gouter climb. The rest of the walk follows the same tour du Mont Blanc trails you took the day before. After the walk transfer to Le Fayet and your hotel la Chaumiere. This is to follow the pattern sleep high in hut followed by sleep low in a hotel to get some good sleep to maximise the chances of success.
Walk with Mountain leader. In the evening we will rent all necessary mountaineering gears and will review the equipment.
Ascent: 673 m Descent: 1650 m Distance: 16 km
Breakfast incl. Picnic lunch and Dinner not incl.

Day 4: climbing techniques/ Albert 1er hut
In the morning at your hotel of le Fayet meet the lead mountain guide of your trip who will be the led mountain guide for the next 5 days.
You will transfer (public or private transport) to the cable car of la Balme. Take the cable cable / chair lift up to 2200 m and walk up to Albert premier Hut. In the afternoon many options are possible depending on the local conditions, practice ice technique on the tour glacier beside the hut and acquaint yourself with walking on the glacier roped up or practice rock climbing with rope on any of the numerous boulders above the hut. Today will be guided by both the mountain guide and the mountain leader. Stay in the Albert 1er hut for the night.
Ascent: 691 m Descent: 177 m Distance: 6 km
Breakfast & Dinner incl. Picnic lunch not incl.

Day 5: Glacier / Crampons practice – Transfer to Le Fayet.
With the lead mountain guide and the mountain leader, you will practice some glacier technique and acquaint yourself with your crampons. A classic climb from the hut is to Tete Blanche (3429 m) but many other options are possible depending on conditions. Then you will walk back down from Albert Premier hut and transfer to le Fayet where you can get a good ,night sleep before 2 days of tough climbing.
The mountain leader will leave you in the evening.
Ascent: 848 m Descent: 1342 m Distance: 13km
Breakfast inc. Picnic lunch & Dinner not incl.

Day 6: Mount Blanc stage I – Tete Rousse hut
We will start late morning from le Fayet with the train to Nid d’Aigle (2372 m). From there you will walk up to the Tete Rousse hut (3167 m). Today will be guided by the lead mountain guide and the other mountain guide(s) for Mont Blanc climb will join you for diner. For Mount Blanc Ascent, one guide is with 2 clients max so one or two more guides will be with the group he next following days.
Ascent: 880 m Descent: 50 m Distance: 3 km
Breakfast & Dinner incl. Picnic lunch not incl.

Day 7: Mount Blanc stage II – summit – Gouter/Tete Rousse hut
Today is D-day! After a very early start (can be 1 am, 4 am or 7 am depending on conditions) you will climb to the Gouter hut and then the Mount Blanc (4810m). Success rate is higher from Tete Rousse as the night in the Gouter hut can be very tiring. Then after the summit you will stay in the Tete Rousse or Gouter hut for the night.
Ascent: 1750 m Descent: 1080 m Distance: 8 km
Breakfast & Dinner incl. Picnic lunch not incl.

Day 8 : Mount Blanc stage III – descent to le Fayet
Today we offer a second chance to climb the Mount Blanc for those who would not have had the time or the energy to do it the day before, or in case of bad weather. Then descend to le Fayet for a deserved break!!
Stay in the hotel in le Fayet for the night.
Ascent: 50 m Descent: 1600 m Distance: 6 km
Breakfast incl. Picnic lunch & Dinner not incl.

Day 9: Transfer to the airport
Spend the morning at your own pace before your transfer to Geneva airport.
Breakfast incl.