Mont-Blanc in 3 days

The ascent at a slower pace with two nights in refuges.

|couloir du gouter

Duration

Destination

Season

Difficulty

Since 1864, our guides have been taking their "travellers", clients or friends to the top of this magical mountain. Climbing Mont-Blanc is a real physical challenge. The experience of our guides allows us to disagree with the all too often popular idea that the Mont-Blanc is easy.

Program

The day before: Appointment at 6.30 pm at the guides' office.

Day 1 - Refuge de Tête Rousse

The departure time will be set by the guides depending on the weather. Ascent to the Tête Rousse refuge (3167m) in the beginning of the afternoon by the Mont Blanc Tramway.
Elevation: 800 m - About 2 hours of walking.
Night in a dormitory at the Tête Rousse refuge.

Day 2 - Mont Blanc ascent

Departure early in the morning, climb up the Aiguille du Goûter, a steep route, easy rock climbing over 600 meters of vertical drop. We take a short break at the refuge before heading to the Dôme du Goûter, where we will be walking on the snow and the effects of the altitude begin to show. From the Vallot shelter begins the majestic Bosses ridge to the top of Mont-Blanc. It’s a steep and technical part at high altitude but unparalleled in beauty.
Descent back to the Goûter refuge (3835m).
Elevation: + 1800m / - 1050m - About 9 hours of walking.
Night in a dormitory at the Goûter refuge.

Day 3 - Descent from Goûter

Departure early in the morning from the Goûter refuge by the same route, lunch together in the refuge or in the valley.
Elevation: - 1470 m - About 4 hours of walking.

The elevations and walking times are approximate and may vary.

The guides could be led to change the program depending on the weather conditions, the mountains and the level of the participants.

Registration

You can register from October 9th either directly online below, or by returning the completed 2024 registration form by e-mail, dated and signed.

For further information, please contact us by e-mail or telephone on +33 (0)4 50 47 76 55 (Saint-Gervais) or +33 (0)4 50 47 10 08 (Les Contamines). We’ll be happy to guide you in the realization of your project.

Details

The guides only take recently acclimatized and technically prepared people to climb Mont Blanc. If you don’t have any mountaineering experience, we can offer you two options: the Mont-Blanc course in 6 days or a technical preparation in two or three days (contact us).

2024 dates

From the beginning of June to the end of September, departures are possible every day (except Wednesday and Friday) depending on the spots available in the refuge.

2024 rates

€2970 for 1 person
2 participants : €1820 € per person
3 participants : €2310 per person


The price includes:

  • The supervision by a mountain guide
  • half-board package in the refuges (dinner, night and breakfast)
  • Lunches during the ascent
  • The ticket for Tramway du Mont Blanc or taxi fare to Bellevue in the beginning and end of season
  • Water in the huts
  • Tea for the Mont Blanc climb
  • Hut bookings


The price does not include:

  • The drinks, the cereal bars and other personal expenses.
  • The rental equipment
  • Your personal insurance

Guiding

2 people per guide maximum.
You will be supervised by a mountain guide or an UIAGM qualified trainee guide.

Requirements

The experience of our guides allows us to disagree with the too often widespread idea that Mont-Blanc is easy. The guides only take recently acclimatized and technically prepared people to climb Mont Blanc.

If you don’t have any mountaineering experience, we can offer you two options: the Mont-Blanc course in 6 days or a technical preparation in two or three days (contact us).

Basic training
ou will walk between 6 and 12 hours a day. You should therefore prepare yourself by practicing "cardio" sports during long sessions. Endurance sports: 2 or 3 sessions per week cycling, running. We recommend that you intensify your training six months in advance.

Varied terrain training
From the second day you will no longer be on a hiking trail, but you will evolve in often very delicate terrain (rough mountain terrain, snow and ice). You can prepare yourself by hiking in the middle range mountains, or off the trails in the woods. Rock climbing is also a very good workout. At the end of your preparation, you should be able to easily walk 1500m cumulative elevation gain.

Keep in mind that you will be walking with a backpack of 8 to 10 kilograms for 6 days, which significantly increases the required effort. During your outings, gradually train yourself to walk with this extra weight.

You will evolve on an unmarked mountain route, you must be aware of the dangers associated with this activity (glacier crevasses, serac falls, rock falls, avalanches, very low temperatures).
We are at your disposal to answer your questions.

After registration you will receive a sheet with help for physical preparation, prepared by our guides. You can also call us or send us your training schedules.

Weather conditions

In the mountains, weather conditions are an important factor for your safety.
It is difficult or even impossible to get a reliable weather forecast for more than 3 days.

If the weather does not allow the ascent of Mont Blanc:

You can come back the same summer, depending on the availability in the refuges, or get a refund from the Mont Blanc part of the course (except for the insurance fees).
Your guide can suggest another peak over 4000 m in the Gran Paradiso massif or that of Mont Rose: this alternative leads to a partial refund.

If, in consultation with your guide, you decide to try Mont Blanc and you are surprised by bad weather and have to turn around, no refund or credit is possible.

Insurance

To be covered by an insurance «assistance-repatriation» is mandatory to participate in our stays.
If you do not have «assistance-repatriation» insurance, we can offer you one at the price of €5 per day.
We also offer optional «cancellation» insurance at the price of €12 per day. This insurance does not take into account the sporting character of our stays.
The insurance booklets can be downloaded here for cancellation and assistance-repatriation.

Rendez-vous

The day before we meet up for a briefing where you will meet your guide and the group, we expect you at 18h30 at the guides' office at Saint Gervais, we can advise you for accommodation on site. Our address : 43 rue du Mont Blanc, 74170 Saint Gervais les Bains

If you are unable to attend, please call us around the same time so the briefing can be done by phone.

Equipment list

The right choice of equipment is essential for the success of your ascent, the weather conditions can vary from day to day.

Technical equipment:

  • Helmet
  • 35/40-liter rucksack
  • Two telescopic walking poles (3 parts) with washers
  • Harness with locking carabiner
  • Ice axe
  • Gaiters
  • Mountain boots with stiff soles to put crampons
  • Semi-automatic crampons equipped with anti-boots

You can rent the technical equipment at:
For Saint Gervais : blanc-sport-saintgervais.com or www.unlimited-saintgervais.com,
For Contamines : www.intersport-lescontamines.com

Clothing:

  • Hat and headscarf or buff®
  • Thermal underwear, long and short sleeves No cotton
  • Fleece jacket
  • Down jacket
  • Gore-Tex® jacket or similar (an insulated ski jacket is not suitable)
  • Thermal underwear tights
  • Technical hiking trousers
  • Gore-Tex® trousers or similar (water- and windproof)
  • Warm socks

 

Essential equipment:

  • Glacier sunglasses (cat. 4)
  • Ski goggles (in case of snow or strong winds)
  • Cap
  • Headlight and batteries
  • Drinking bottle that can hold at least 1L of water. Water bladders, such as Camelbacks, are not recommended.
  • 2 pairs of gloves : a thin pair (fleece or leather) and a warm pair like waterproof mittens
  • A sleeping bag liner for in the huts (no need for a sleeping bag, huts have blankets or duvets)
  • Sunscreen for body, face and lips
  • Thermos flask (0.5 L minimum)
  • Energy bars or dried fruits
  • Small personal first-aid kit (aspirin, compeed®, earplugs)
  • Small toiletry bag (small toothpaste, toothbrush, wipes)
  • Identity papers

Summary