Mont Blanc All-In 2-day ascent via the Gouter Route

Mont Blanc ascent could be planned only with experienced mountain climbers, customers with some 4.000-meter ascents in the back or, al least, people with recent previous training on glacier with rope and crampons. If you want to try the attempt, you should have some high altitude climbs under your belt (over 3,500 meters), solid confidence in using crampons on steep and mixed terrains, ability in climbing in a roped-up scenario, basic mountaineering training, and be properly acclimatized for the climb. Even if you have the relevant mountaineering experience, we strongly suggest to plan the Mont Blanc in 3 days, to increase the chances to the summit with no rusk, in safe and, most important, to reduce the risks of rocks falling on the way during ascent and descent. In the last years, the climate changes have been affected the glaciers areas, with big impacts to the safety conditions for the climbers and mountaineers on most part of the classic routes.

For all this reasons, we strongly recommend to take a look to the 3 days program at the following link: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-climb/

If you do not have any kind of the previous experience required, then you will need more preparation. 6-day Mont Blanc + Gran Paradiso program is the ideal option for you. This stage is the best choice for those who have climbed a few "easy" mountains in the recent past and want to take it to the next level. You can take a look to this program at the link below: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-gran-paradiso-guided-ascent-week-tour/

Keep in mind that have some extra days could mean to increase the summit success rate; you can have a wider window in terms of weather, more flexibility and when it comes to Mont Blanc, the weather is key in defining whether or not we will attempt the summit. Although this is sometimes an unfortunate fact that we must come to terms with, safety comes first.

To attempt the ascent of Mont Blanc, you need a solid physical and technical preparation that is achieved by training consistently over many years. You should already have a good background and be familiar with the high altitude, the severe conditions of temperatures during the first hours of climbing, without light and on very challenging terrain, very steep to hike even with crampons on. This means that you have had recent mountaineering experiences in which to practice.

The best preparation for mountain sports always involves a good amount of cardiovascular exercise (running, biking, mountain biking, etc.) and, whenever possible, long walks in the mountains even on challenging trails. Working out only at home or in the gym is not enough compared to an outdoor running or biking routine. If it becomes really difficult for you to go regularly in the mountains, the advice is still to walk uphill with a positive elevation gain of at least 1,000 meters. Also, training at altitude (at least above 3000 m) becomes essential, especially if overnight stays in a refuge are also planned.

Feel free to contact us, and we will be happy to recommend the best option for your level and training.

The loan of the personal technical equipment is included in the tariff; the guide provides it on the day of departure, after the starting briefing. The gear for rental includes: mountaineering helmet, mountaineering harness, straight-hand ice axe, crampons and trekking poles (only if you don’t have yours).

In addition, the guide will bring the common safety gear, such as rope, ice screws, daisy chains and carabiners.

All you need to check and bring is your personal mountaineering clothing, including technical mountaineering boots, waterproof, with rigid sole, warm and comfortable (please avoid to bring new ones, if you have never used them before the ascent!). After your booking confirmation, we will send a complete and detailed list of recommended equipment and clothing and, if you need anything for renting, we will recommend some shops where you can hire the necessary gear. Boots renting is around 20-22€/day, trekking poles are 8-10€/day.

No porters are expected for this ascent. Each participant should bring the personal backpack and technical equipment, including thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.

We take care for the reservation at the Goûter/Tête Rousse refuge, with accommodation in half board formula: this means that dinner and breakfast are included, but not the beverages/drinks or extra meals. For this reason, any other meals or beverages (water, beer, sparkling beverages, etc.) are not included and have to be covered by the customers directly on the spot and for guide/guides too.

On mountains, weather and conditions can change unexpectedly and very fast, especially in recent years, due to the climate changes: in general, forecast and conditions have to be appropriate to try the attempt, but the final decision regarding the ascent belongs to the guide, who is responsible to evaluate the risks and the safety conditions for all the team. Safety is our priority, both for the guides and for the customers: if weather is not good and the forecast is not favorable for the attempt, we prefer to plan an alternative ascent to nearby mountains with better conditions and better chances for a safe summit attempt.

Please note that confirming the trip you are booking the professional’s availability for all the duration of the tour: this means that it will not be possible to cancel at last time, due to poor conditions or bad weather. The guide fee could not be refunded. For this reason, in case the Mont Blanc is out of reach, we guarantee our availability to arrange an experience that lives up to your expectations. We knows very well and totally understand that this may be a frustrating outcome, however, safety is a top priority for our team of professionals, and every mountain has a lesson to teach to all climbers. Customers and the guides' safety is more important than any summit.

Some detailed alternatives to replace Mont Blanc attempt, in case of bad weather or restrictions to the climbing due to safety reasons, are listed in the options below:

• “Monterosa 4K Seven Summits collection” (Pyramide Vincent, Balmenhorn, Schwarzhorn, Ludwigshöhe, Parrot, Zumstein, Signalkuppe/Punta Gnifetti) - 3 days

• Pollux + Castor starting from Cervinia (overnight staying at refuge Guide del Cervino) - 3 days

• Gran Paradiso and Tresenta summits (overnight staying at refuge Vittorio Emanuele) - 3 days

Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider before attempting the ascent of Mont Blanc on the classic route (staying overnight at Goûter/Tête Rousse refuge).

Here are some of them; please read them carefully before confirm the booking:

• Starting in 2019, a maximum of 214 people will be allowed to climb Mont Blanc via its Normal Route on a daily basis, following a decision by the town of Saint Gervais; it is therefore mandatory to show the hut booking confirmation to the authorities before starting the ascent. Peakshunter Mountain Guides will take care of the hut reservation for clients and Guides, to guarantee the attempt to summit: to give you this service, the payment confirmation have to be done in advance (even as a deposit of 25% of the total amount) and the submission of your personal information is essential and mandatory to finalize the refuge reservation. You have to share with your personal info: name, surname, place and date of birth, nationality, address, mail, mobile contact and a copy of ID card of passport. Giving this information, you authorize Peakshunter Mountain Guides to use them for the booking process and during all the steps of the tour (planning, reservation, logistic, contact with guides and professionals involved in the tour).

• It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that covers mountain activities, such as a specific insurance for rescue and research; if you need one, after your confirmation, we can recommend some solutions suitable for you.

• There are no specific vaccine requirements for climbing Mont Blanc, but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations. Also, there is no longer need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results.

• We kindly invite all non-EU citizens to inform themselves about specific permits to enter in France.

The maximum number of clients per single guide is two, thus giving a ratio of 1:2. This is the maximum number in order to ensure the safety during the trip and it is established by local regulations. Under any circumstances, we are not going to take more than 2 people for each guide.

If you are a group of more than 2 people, we have more guides available to undertake the adventure; we will be happy to support your group with other professionals of our team!

The best time to attempt Mont Blanc ascent is between June and September.

No, due to guide-to-client ratio (1:2), we can only accept private requests for the ascent. If you are more than 2, you necessary requires to have more than 1 Guide.

Climbing Mont Blanc in 2 days is only something experienced mountain climbers should attempt. You should have several high altitude climbs under your belt, experience using ice ax and crampons, experience climbing in a roped-up scenario, prior mountaineering training, and be properly acclimatized for the climb. Even if you do have the relevant mountaineering experience, we still suggest that you do the Mont Blanc ascent in 3 days to increase your chances of summiting safely: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-climb/

If you do not have all the experience required, then you will need more preparation. This 6-day Mont Blanc + Gran Paradiso program is the ideal option for those who have climbed a few "easy" mountains in the past and want to take it to the next level: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-gran-paradiso-guided-ascent-week-tour/

Keep in mind that the longer climbs also give us a higher summit success rate because we have a wider window to work with in terms of weather, and when it comes to Mont Blanc, the weather is key in defining whether or not we will attempt the summit. Although this is sometimes an unfortunate fact that we must come to terms with, safety comes first.

Kilimanjaro is a great trekking mountain that will give you an experience with altitude, but the climbing conditions are completely different and non-technical. Ultimately, summiting Kilimanjaro is not sufficient training to tackle Mont Blanc. If you have climbed Kilimanjaro and you would like to climb Mont Blanc, then the 6-day course that includes climbing Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc is the right one for you: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-gran-paradiso-guided-ascent-week-tour/.

In that course you will properly acclimatize, you will learn how to use an ice ax and crampons, and you will also practice all the necessary rope work that you will need to climb Mont Blanc.

Yes. We recommend you to have a look at this 4-day guided tour - https://www.explore-share.com/trip/beginner-mountain-climbing-around-Mont-Blanc/ - which is organized for hikers wanting to:

• have a first experience on a glacier

• get used to walk with crampons and rope

• sleep in a mountain hut

It takes place on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc range.

After your booking confirmation, we will send a complete and detailed list of recommended equipment and clothing and, if you need anything for renting, we will recommend some shops where you can hire the necessary gear. Boots renting is around 20-22€/day, trekking poles are 8-10€/day.

The loan of the personal technical equipment is included in the tariff (mountaineering helmet, mountaineering harness, straight-hand ice axe, crampons and trekking poles), and all group equipment is also provided and included in the price.

The meeting point for the trip is Les Houches, near Chamonix (15 min driving). You can either stay there or in Chamonix, where there are accomodation options for all budgets, from campsites to luxurious hotels. Optionally, you can also stay in Courmayeur (Italy) and then move to Les Houches; in this case, the private transfer (if requested) has an extra cost for the customers, to be added as an extra fee.

At the Goûter/Tête Rousse refuge, accommodation includes dinner and breakfast, but not the beverages/drinks or extra meals. For this reason, any other meals or beverages (water, beer, sparkling beverages, etc.) are not included and have to be covered by the customers directly on the spot and for guide/guides too.

Transportation to the meeting point (Les Houches) is not included. Lift tickets for customers and Guides are included in the price.

Geneva is the nearest airport to get to Chamonix (100kms and a 1.5hr drive from Geneva Airport). There are car hire services, regular transfer buses, and private taxisto go from Geneva to Chamonix.

Yes, there are regular train and bus services to get to Les Houches from Chamonix and Geneva.