Mont Blanc 4808m is the highest summit in the western European Alps. The summit overlooks hundreds of spectacular alpine peaks with a view into France , Italy and Switzerland . Mt.Blanc is an incredible summit and is achievable for most fit people in a one week course with a high mountain guide. We have a number of courses running each summer and ascents on skis in the spring.

Our Mt.Blanc ascent will give you the best possible chance to reach the summit with an opportunity to climb other high peaks in the range during the course of the week. We operate on a maximum 4:1 ratio for the first three days then a 1:2 ratio for the Mt.Blanc climb for the final three days. The course normally start on a Sunday and finishes on a Friday. It could be possible to arrange for the course to start on a Saturday or Monday as well.

Pre Course.
A pre course meeting will be arranges to suit your groups arrangements to outline the week's program and advice on equipment needed for the following days.
Day 1 Sunday
Mer de Glace. Ice skills training day. Valley night
Day 2 Monday
We take the chair lift from Le Tour to the col de Balme, from here we walk past the Albert 1st hut to the Glacier du Tour. From this point we travel roped on Glacier crossing the col sup du Tour, at this point we enter Switzerland. We traverse the plateau du Trient to the Cabane du Trient where we spend the night. This hut is in a stunning location and gives a fantastic view of Le Tour the peak that we will climb the following day. Glacial tour to the Cabane du Trient. Hut night.
Day 3 Tuesday
We wake at 5am for an early start and sunrise. After breakfast we put on our harnesses and crampons and return across the Plateau du Trient to the Aig du Tour 3542m which we climb and then return to the valley for around 1pm. The afternoon is spent relaxing and sorting kit for the next three days.
Day 4 Wednesday
We start our Mt.Blanc ascent from Les Houches (other routes possible by prior arrangement) we take the cable car to Bellvue and then the train to Nid d'Aigle. From here we start our journey on foot zig zaging our way up to the new refuge Tete Rousse 3167m where we will spend the night. On some occasions we will climb to the Goutier hut 3817m and spend the night there.
Day 5 Thursday
Mt. Blanc ascent. We will start the day around 1am to 2am for our climb to the summit. The normal ascent time is 7 hours from the Tete Rousse hut and 5 Hours from the Goutier Hut, these are average times. To make an ascent we need to have a reasonable weather forecast with winds that are not strong. I the summer of 2005 we made 9 ascents out of 11 - 2 failures due to bad weather, but please remember every year the conditions are different. Return to Tete Rousse hut for food, beers and a good sleep.
Day 6 Friday
We descend to the valley from the hut have beers and coffees and say our goodbyes.

You should have a good level of physical fitness. A training program is strongly advised in the months leading up to the course. The Mt.Blanc summit day is approximately 12 hours long.

Advice
If you are unsure of your ability please call 0033 450 54 73 44 and speak to Dave.