Enjoy all Chamonix has to offer while learning the techniques you’ll need to climb Mont Blanc. We’ll climb three different peaks–each an adventure on its own–in preparation for our ascent of western Europe’s highest peak.
Day 1: Mer de Glace, 2200 m.
This is a stunning glacier with the Dru and the Grand Jorasse looming over head. Practice in ice school, or Ecole de Glace, as the Chamoniards call it, helps set the foundation for cramponing techniques.
Day 2: Rock climbing on the Tour de Crochue, 2837 m.
This is a beautiful rock traverse on the opposite side of the valley from the Mont Blanc range, so you get fantastic views as we climb the ridge and eventually descend a snow slope to a restaurant and the most photographed lake in the Alps, Lac Blanc. This climb helps hone our movement skills over rock in big boots. We also work together as a team on the rope.
Day 3: Alpine climbing on the Arête des Cosmiques, 3800 m.
This arête lies under Mt. Blanc itself, but once on this route, its significance as one of the most beautiful routes in the Alps is understood. The rock is superb, the variety of climbing keeps it quite interesting and the views are the best around. This route takes us a notch higher for acclimatization and helps us refine moving quickly over all types of terrain in crampons. Don’t forget your camera!
Day 4: Climb Mont Blanc du Tacul, 4248 m.
This peak is perfect for the last steps of acclimatization and for making sure we have the endurance we’ll need for Mont Blanc. On a clear day, the views from this summit extend to the Matterhorn in Switzerland!
Day 5: Approach the Gouter Hut, 3817 m.
Day 6: Summit Mt. Blanc, 4810 m, and return to Chamonix.
This is the day we put together all our skills of climbing and cramponing and our acclimatization and endurance to reach the summit of Mont Blanc.
