Mont Blanc summit with acclimatization on Gran Paradiso (8 days)
Tal, an IFMGA-certified guide, invites you to join him on a truly epic 8-day mountaineering adventure through snow and ice that climaxes with an ascent of one of the most famous and landmark peaks in the world, the mighty Mont Blanc, high up in the Alps.
Group
Alps
8 Days
Jun - Sep
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Climb the summit of the world-famous and breath-taking Mont Blanc!
- Ascend The Grand Paradiso, the highest 4000m peak in Italy!
- Take in some of the most special and mesmerising views across the alps!
Description
If you’ve ever wanted to climb the world-famous and majestic Mont Blanc, but didn´t feel ready for a challenge of this magnitude, I invite you on my guided tour where we will accomplish this goal through days of acclimatization through spectacular ascents and descents amongst the snowy alpine delight of the Alps.
Mont Blanc towers high above the Alps, standing at an impressive 4809 metres, and we will gradually make our way to the summit via days of preparation, including an ascent of The Gran Paradiso, the only mountain whose peak is over 4000 metres high located entirely in Italy.
On the first day we meet in Chamonix/Argentiere, where safety information and gear is dispensed before we spend the night in a hotel.
We set off in earnest the next morning, as we walk together to the Chabod Hut, 2700 metres high. It is here we trial our crampons and harnesses on the rocks surrounding the hut, in order to gain confidence for the routes ahead. We will also be staying in this hut for 3 nights.
The next three days are spent incrementally acclimatizing to the high altitudes, as we practice our snow and ice walks and climbs amongst beautiful scenery, the idyllic surrounds, cold and fresh air and epic views making it a delightful area to train in.
The climax of this initial training is the ascent of the awesome alpine summit of Gran Paradiso, a challenging 10-hour round-trip walk that will give us the ideal preparation for attempting Mont Blanc.
After a day of heading back down the valley and back to Chamonix for a much-needed overnight rest, the 7th day is when we climb up the ambitious and grand Mont Blanc, a 10-12 hour climb that will physically and mentally test you, but give you an enormous sense of well-being and satisfaction once you make it to the top.
We rest our shattered bodies in the Gouter Hut overnight, before descending down the valley where the trip concludes, hopefully with memories to last a lifetime!
Ascending Mont Blanc is on many people´s bucket lists – book to tick it off yours!
For those who enjoy this, I also offer 1-Week Mountaineering on Wildspitze, here!
Alternatively, I offer 7 Days, 7 Summits on Monte Rosa, here!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
- Mountain guide expenses
- Rope
- Harness
- Helmet
- Belay and rappel devices
- Quickdraws
- Crampons
- Ice axe
Price details
- Above is price per person.
- Price includes:
- 7 full guided days in the mountains
- Planning and guiding by an IFMGA/UIAGM qualified guide/Aspirant
- Transportation throughout the activity
- Guides expenses
- Climbing gear (ice exes, ropes, harnesses, helmets etc.)
- Guiding in a in a min/max 1:2 guide-client ratio on the Mont Blanc
- Price does not include:
- Flights and insurances
- Cable cars (twice through the week, up to 60 € per day)
- Mountaineering boots (rental)
- Overnights in a mountain huts and hotel in the valley (1/2 pension estimated 80 € a night)
Itinerary
Day 1: Meet
Meeting at 17:00 in Chamonix/Argentiere- the exact hotel’s address will be sent to you before the activity – for a briefing and a gear check.
Day 2: Climb to Chabod Hut
Today we will travel Valsavarenche in the Italian Aosta valley, after the obligatory Italian coffee, we will walk together to the Chabod hut (2700 meters). After checking in and resting, we will learn how to put on our harnesses and crampons and will do a short round on the rocks around the hut with our mountaineering boots, gaining confidence. (1000 meters elevation gain to the hut, about 3-4 hours walking)
Day 3: Training
After Breakfast we will practice walking on snow and ice and the correct usage of ice axe and crampons. Before descending back to the hut we will learn how to arrest a fall on a snowy slope- It is an essential day that serves our acclimatization efforts (450 meters elevation gain, about 3-4 hours walk)
Day 4: Ascend Gran Paradiso
An early start and off we go to climb our first alpine summit- The Gran Paradiso. After the climb we will spend our third night in the hut- to maximize our acclimatization! (1100 m elevation ascent and descent, about 10 hours walking round trip)
Day 5: Descent
Descend down to the valley and drive back to Chamonix
Day 6: Go to Mont Blanc huts
After resting well in the valley, we will head up to our Mont Blanc mountain hut- the Cosmique or the Tete Rousse huts are both good candidates for our Mont Blanc ascent. The destination will be decided about a week before our activity depending on the conditions on the mountain. (1100 meters elevation gain, about 4 hours walking to Tete Rousse hut)
Day 7: Ascend Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc ascent and an overnight in the Gouter Hut (depending on the hut between 1400 meters climbing to 1100 meters, the summit day is usually calculated as a 10-12 hours day)
Day 8: Descent and finish
Today’s plan is to get back down to the valley where our activity will be concluded! Estimated time to reach the valley- 12:00-14:00
Details
More info
The activity includes:
- Snow and ice gear intro
- How to deal with ropes, harnesses, crampons and ice axes
- The right technique to walk in snow and ice
- Self-arrest techniques
- Basic experience in climbing short sections of moderately steep ice
- Glacier travel
- A long acclimatization
The mentioned timetable is exemplary and may vary due to conditions, ability of the participants, safety & weather limitations.
Meeting point
FAQs
What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?
No previous experience in snow/ice or rock is required.
This is a very physically demanding activity, so a very good level of physical fitness is required
Previous experience in trekking or hill walking and scrambling is required. Sure footedness and adaptation to exposure are essential.
How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?
It is advisable to train as early as you can to maintain a constant basic fitness level. Walk! The best training for mountaineering is not at the fitness studio but outside, walking in nature (trekking) with light to medium weight. Mountaineering days are long, reaching a level of 6 hours of constant physical activity.
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?
No, the technical gear (excluding mountaineering boots) is provided by us.
Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?
No, in the Alps we use fare, which means you pack it in and you pack it out. In addition, the food and beverages in the huts are a huge help to maximize your chances of success
How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?
Based on hotels (in the valley) and huts (in the mountains) both times with half board.
What happens in the event of bad weather?
We will come as fast as we possibly can with suitable alternatives.
Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?
Non.
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
Max 1:4 on the Gr. Paradisso, max 1:2 on the Mt. Blanc.
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
Summer months: From July to September.
Can I join a group?
Yes, you can and should!
What's included in the price? What are the extra costs I need to consider?
The price includes:
- 7 guided days in the mountains
- Planning and guiding by a qualified IFMGA/UIAGM guide/Aspirant
- Transportation throughout the activity
- Guide’s expenses
- Climbing gear (ice axes, ropes, harnesses, helmets, etc.)
- Guiding in a min/max 1:2 guide-client ratio for the Mont Blanc ascent
The price does not include:
- Flights and insurance
- Cable cars (twice through the week, up to 60 € per day)
- Mountaineering boots (rental)
- Overnights in the mountain huts and hotel in the valley (1/2 pension in the Mt. Blanc huts at 110 € Chamonix valley estimated at 90 € a night)
What experience do I need to join this tour? What are the physical and technical requirements?
This is a physically demanding activity that requires adequate preparation. You need:
- a good level of physical fitness
- a proficient level of endurance and the ability to maintain stable performance on long, successive days out in the mountains. People who define their level at “C” ("very good" fitness level) should be able to ascend a 1,200 m slope in a normal day while maintaining a minimal incline of 300 meters per hour with a heavy backpack (10 kg).
- Previous trekking and scrambling experience is an advantage
- No previous experience in snow/ice or rock is required
Who will book the huts?
We book all the huts for the tour. If an activity starts on the 10th and ends on the 15.08, we book all the overnights from the 10-14.08. The overnight on the 15.08 is not included and is not handled by us.
What gear do I need? Will you provide some of it? Where do you recommend renting the equipment I don't have and that you don't provide?
We provide all the technical gear:
- crampons
- helmets
- harnesses
- ice axes
- even a backpack
You'll need to take care of your clothing and footwear.
What happens if we are 2 people on the climb and the 2nd climber can't make it to the summit? Will we turn back?
It depends on the circumstances. If it is too risky to leave the other person alone on the glacier/mountain, we will all have to turn back. If it is safe to leave them at Refuge Vallot for example, then we can continue and pick up the other person on the way back.
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Tal
5.0
(10)
Mountain Guide
I am in the mountains all year-round, either guiding a trip or exploring on my own. Mountain guiding is not only my profession and passion but also my inner calling. I am a qualified IFMGA mountain and ski guide.
In 2012, I established my mountaineering school "Mountains" with the motto: Quality guiding on snow, rock and ice. You can count on a low client to guide ratio, reliable gear and high quality programs led by our talented team of guides. We are not adrenaline junkies - we put safety first and strive to meet and exceed all of our clients' needs.
We take great pride in having more than 30% returning clients and would be thrilled to welcome you to our "Mountains" family during your next rock, snow or ice adventure!
Languages
| German | English | Arabic
Certificates
VDBS | IFMGA
What people are saying about this trip
Sergejs
An awesome adventure provided by Tal's company. All requirements were met and schedule was adjusted for the changing weather conditions. It was one of the best guided tours I've experienced so far!
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