France
Mont Blanc (4,810m) and Aiguille du Tour (3,542m) 5 days
Climb Montblanc (4,810m) with previous acclimatization at Aiguille du Tour (3,542m)
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Overview
Mont Blanc, also known as Montblanc, stands as the loftiest peak in the Alps, soaring to a height of 4,810 meters. This impressive elevation not only secures its position as the pinnacle of the European Union but also ranks it among the loftiest summits on the broader European landscape, with only a handful of mountains in Russia and Georgia surpassing it. Embarking on the ascent of Mont Blanc via the Goûter refuge or the 4000's route holds a coveted place on the bucket lists of numerous mountaineers. While the climb doesn't require advanced technical skills (no actual climbing is required), maintaining solid physical fitness is beneficial due to the substantial elevation gain encountered over the course of the journey. Adequate acclimatization in the days leading up to the ascent is equally essential. Our "Objective Ascent to Mont Blanc" program extends over five days and is accompanied by a certified guide. It is meticulously crafted to facilitate proper acclimatization while honing the targeted techniques needed to conquer Mont Blanc. During the preparatory phase, we undertake activities that mirror the technical demands of Mont Blanc, albeit in a more condensed form. These days serve as an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with high-altitude conditions, progressively refining our techniques.
Highlights
Mont Blanc an accessible mountain
Climb the highest mountain in Western Europe and the Alps. The great classic that every climber and mountaineer wants to have in their pocket. Despite not being a technical ascension (it only involves walking), it is necessary to have a good physical shape and motivation.
Certified UIAGM/IFMGA guides
Our guides have hundreds of Montblanc ascents in their backpacks, so they are the best choice in Chamonix if you want to climb this classic by Goûter
Hosts
Your guides
Isra Samper
From Sax, Alicante, he grew up between the sea and the rocks. Soon his passion became climbing. He started doing mountaineering for his own pleasure, going from the Pyrenees to the Alps always looking for heights. One day he decided to move to the Pyrenees, where he began to develop different professional activities linked to the mountain, as a canyoning guide and high altitude mountain guide. He's lived several years in Chamonix and today his base camp is in Briançon. He's climbed Montblac countless times.
Bertrand Brizet
From Dijon, like mustard, he grew up in this land among vineyards and limestone walls. After a few years working in the field of chemical research and as a teacher, he wanted to turn is life 180 degrees. Make his passion his work. That's why he decided to settle in Briançon and pass the high mountain guide diploma. He's happy working as a guide, being able to accompany you and make you achieve your challenges. He's happy to transmit and teach you everything he know, sharing his knowledge about climbing, mountaineering or skiing.
Laura Vinyet
She is Catalan but she lived many years in the Pyrenees. It was in the mountains of the Aragon Pyrenees where her passion for the mountains began. From that wish to climb mountains came the need to travel and live in other places. She currently lives in Briançon, at the foot of the Écrins National Park and next to the Queyras Regional Park. Over the years she has made her passion her profession. Today, certified as a mid-mountain guide from the French school, she will be delighted to guide you and pass on her knowledge of the natural environment, giving her best so that you have a pleasant holiday in the mountains.
Schedule
Itinerary
Previous
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Gain: +550m -50m / Distance 4km / Duration: 2-3h
Day 1 - Le Tour - Approach to Refuge Albert 1st (2.707m)
We will meet in the morning in Chamonix to go up with the guide by bus to the ski resort of Le Tour. We also have the possibility to meet directly there. After checking the gear, we will take a cable car followed by a chairlift, which will leave us in Les Autannes (2,195m).
There we will begin the approach to the Albert 1º refuge (2,707m), along a beautiful path with views of the entire Chamonix Valley. We will make a long upward journey that will help us to warm up our legs. After turning and contemplating the fabulous views of the Glacier du Tour, we only have to go up the most vertical part of the moraine, but with the refuge already in sight. After about 2 hours of ascent and about 600 meters gain, the refuge awaits us with an unforgettable panorama.
We will arrive at the refuge, where we will leave the things that we are not going to use in the afternoon. Then we will go down to the glacier to do the activity scheduled for this noon: crampon technique, meetings in the snow, use of ice axes, etc. When we finish we will return to the refuge where we will spend the night on a half board basis.
Gain: +850m -1350m / Distance: 11,5km / Duration: 5-7h
Day 2 - Climb to Aiguille du Tour (3.542m) - Le Tour
After having rested for a few hours, we will get up early to have breakfast and get to work. We will leave the shelter geared up. We will begin by going up a rock path that will take us to the glacier in a short time, where we will put on our crampons and rope ourselves. From here begins a beautiful glacial journey over the Glacier du Tour to the Col Superior du Tour (3,289m) with the last part a little more vertical. This is the passing pass to the immense Glacier du Trient, on the southern slope, where we will go to finish the approach to the base of the needle. From the refuge it will take us between 3 and 4 hours to cover the 850 positive meters of elevation gain to the summit.
An easy climb on rock and snow with grade II steps and a 100-meter drop will take us to the summit of the Aiguille du Tour located at 3,542 meters, with views that we will hardly be able to forget.
We will descend along the same path, passing through the refuge (stop to pick up everything we left behind), and then catch the chairlift again. The descent from the top will take us between 3 and 4 hours, making 1,450 meters of negative elevation gain.
Gain: +800m -0m / Distance: 3,2km / Duration: 2-3h
Day 3 - Chamonix-Train Mont Blanc - Nid d'Aigle (2.372m) - Refuge de Tête Rousse (3.165m)
We will meet at noon in Chamonix, or in the parking lot of the Bellevue cable car (Les Houches), to go up to the refuge, since we have a short and comfortable approach. In the morning we will have time to prepare the backpack and do some shopping if we need to. Before starting we will check our gear and we will take the cable car that goes up to Bellevue (1,794m), from Les Houches. There we will connect with the Mont Blanc rack railway, which will take us to Nid d'Aigle (2,362m), where our walk will begin.
From here we have between 2 and 3 hours of approach, and about 800 meters of positive gain in altitude to the Tête Rousse refuge, located at 3,165 meters, next to the glacier with the same name.
Depending on the season, we can find snow from where the train stops, or find it all dry until we reach the refuge.
Gain: +1650m -1000m / Distance: 9,4km / Duration: 10-12h
Day 4 - Refuge de Tête Rousse (3.165m) - Mont Blanc (4.810m) - Refuge du Goûter (3.815m)
After a rather short night, we will get up at 4am to have breakfast and start our climb. It will be a long day. We will leave the refuge with the headlamp on and depending on the conditions, we will use all the gear (crampons, harness, helmet, etc.). Shortly after leaving the refuge we will cross the famous bowling alley (safer at dawn) and ascend the famous path equipped with cables to the Goûter refuge (3,815m), where we will stop and have something to eat. We will continue the day, now through glacial terrain. Right after, we will pass near the Dôme de Goûter (4,304m), from where we will have a beautiful view of the Vallot refuge (4,362m) and the summit of Mont Blanc, with the Bosses ridge joining them. From here, the ascent becomes a bit more technical and exposed, and we will have to hike the beautiful ridge, sometimes quite narrow, passing between the two small peaks of Les Bosses (Humps) at 4,513 meters. From there, a long ridge will take us to the long-awaited summit of Mont Blanc at 4,810 meters.
We will descend along the same itinerary to the Goûter refuge, all on glacial terrain, where we will spend the night.
Gain: +0m -1470m / Distance: 4,7km / Duration: 4-5h
Day 5 - Ref. de Goûter (3.815m) – Ref. de Tête Rousse - Nid d'Aigle (2.372m) - Chamonix
We are already on the last day and we only have the descent left! Today we'll get up early too, although as much as the previous day. We will prepare everything and begin the descent. It is advisable to go down as soon as possible, to go to the bowling alley early. Once we pass this zone, the objective dangers are minimal. We will pass near the Tête Rousse refuge, where we can make a stop or continue to the train at Nid d'Aigle (2,362m).
In the event that we were unable to reach the summit the day before for whatever reason (altitude sickness, fatigue, weather…), this day we would have another opportunity for one last attempt. We would have to get up early like the day before, and reach the summit very early so that we would have time to get off the train.
The descent will be by the same itinerary as the ascent.
What's Included
What's Included
UIAGM/IFMGA High Mountain Guide during the days of activity.
3 nights at refuges in half board for the participants and the guide
Refuge booking management
Guide half board accommodation in Chamonix
Lift pass for participants and the guide
Transportation through the Chamonix Valley
Group safety equipment (rope, carabiners, first aid kit…)
Personal technical gear (harness, helmet, ice ax, crampons, poles, frontal and carabiners). We recommend that participants have their own gear
Technical advice prior to the activity
Sheet with the specific training plan
Public Liability Insurance
What's Not Included
Travel to Chamonix
Accommodation and food in Chamonix
Water, lunch and drinks at the refuges of the participants and the guide
Everything that does not appear in "THE PRICE INCLUDES"
Personal climbing, travel insurance
The Package
Montblanc group of 1
Climb Montblanc one-on-one with one of our UIAGM/IFMGA certified guides. You will enjoy a personalized guiding experience the entire week
FROM$4,593.47/pp
Montblanc group of 2
Come and climb Montblanc with your partner or a friend. This is for a group of 2 people
FROM$3,221.96/pp
Montblanc group of 3
This option is for groups of 3 and you will acclimatize in l'Aiguille du Tour before the final climb to Montblanc
FROM$3,526.74/pp
Montblanc group of 4
Wanna climb Montblanc with your family or group of friends? Then maybe this is your best pick
FROM$3,221.96/pp
Gallery
Useful info for Montblanc
Get some tips to make sure your goal of climbing Montblanc is achieved
The meeting point will be in Chamonix around 6:00 p.m. the day before. After introducing the program, we will do a check of all the gear and we will finish preparing the backpacks (possibility also going with the guide to rent or buy missing gear in local stores).
The high altitude of Mont Blanc can cause physiological problems such as headaches, nausea, etc. To avoid these symptoms, a good previous acclimatization is essential.
The experience and professional criteria of your guide is very important, if he believes that the level or physical condition is insufficient to face the ascent with the minimum security guarantees, his decision must be respected, the guide may also propose another summit or route alternative that corresponds to your level.
The weather at these heights changes rapidly, which may be the reason why we are unable to carry out the activity and have to turn around at any point of the ascent.
Trip Tips
Clothes you need to bring
- Thermal clothing (tights and t-shirts) - Fleece - Down jacket - Waterproof jacket - Long pants - Long waterproof trousers - Leggings (optional) - Hat, buff and cap - 1 pair of fine gloves - 1 pair of thick waterproof gloves - Sunglasses and goggles
Gear needed
- 30L backpack - B2 or B3 boots - Harness - Helmet - Classic 60cm ice axe - C2 / C3 crampons - 2 walking poles - Headlamp
You'll Be Staying Here
Accommodation insights day by day
- We will spend the 1st night in the acclimatization refuge.
- We will spend the 3rd and 4th night at the Tête Rousse and Goûter refuges on a half-board basis.
- There is no running water or showers at the refuges.
- It is mandatory (for hygiene) to use the sleeping bag at the refuges.
- It is advisable to bring earplugs, since we will sleep in common rooms.
- There are slippers for resting in all the refuges.
- There are many types of accommodation in the Chamonix Valley for the days before and after the activity.
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FAQs
What is your cancellation policy for Mont Blanc?
Refund Policy in normal conditions:
- 100% refund for cancellation of trip 3 months before departure
- 50% refund for cancellation of trip 2 months before departure
- 10% refund for cancellation of trip 28 days before departure
- No refunds for cancellation of trip within 3 weeks before departure
- In the event of adverse weather conditions, we will consistently explore alternative climbing options within the vicinity. In cases where conducting an alternative activity isn't feasible, Kookoo Climb will suggest rescheduling for a different date or the subsequent season. Should rescheduling not be viable for the client, a refund will be issued, with a deduction of 8% as management fees.
Do I need previous experience in climbing or mountaineering to do the climb?
While ascending Mont Blanc does not involve technical climbing, as it's primarily a trekking ascent, participants are required to possess prior hiking experience. This may include previous hikes in the Pyrenees, the Scottish Munros, or equivalent endeavors. Although not mandatory, some familiarity with winter climbing is advisable.
