Mont Blanc - The Three Mont Blanc Traverse

Traverse of Mont Blanc (4808m) by Тhe Тhree Mont Blanc route considered to be one of the most beautiful routes to the peak and descent by the Normal route by Gouter Hut. We strive to offer maximum safety guaranteed by professional mountain guides. If the group keeps a good pace we will climb two more four-thousand peaks - Mont Blanc du Tacul (4248m) and Mont Maudit (4465m).




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Mont Blanc is the highest peak in the Alps and in Western Europe. It is situated between the valley of Aosta in Italy and Haute-Savoie in France. The French-Italian border crosses its highest point.

The first ascent was made on August 8th in year 1786 by Jacques Balmat and doctor Michel Paccard. Today this ascent is considered to mark the beginning of modern mountaineering. The first woman to reach the top is Marie Paradis in year 1808.

Recently average 20 000 alpinists and tourists climb the top each year; however this doesn’t mean that the top is easy to reach. In August, when it is high season, the local mountain rescue service makes at about 12 flights per weekend. The combination of high altitude, relatively unstable weather, steep and exposed terrain, glacial features, orienting difficulty can be quite serious.

Advantages

- Quick and easy access to the hut from the Aiguille du Midi;

- Modern and comfortable hut.




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Prices

Per person for minimum 2 clients - 638 €

For individual client - 1100 €

The group is maximum 2 people.

Price Includes

- All guiding fees;
- Group climbing equipment (ropes & karabiners);
- 1 night accommodation in Cosmiques hut;
- 1 night accommodation in Nid d`Aigle hut;
- Lift tickets (cable-cars & train).

Price Not Includes

- Travel to and from Chamonix;
- Lodging in Chamonix;
- Mountain rescue insurance;
- Meals.




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Notes regarding the price:

The price includes a return ticket for Aiguille du Midi cable car because it is possible for some clients to give up the climb at a certain stage of the route. This will entitle going down with Aiguille du Midi cable car both for the client and the guide accompanying him.

Itinerary

Day 1: Chamonix

Arrival and accommodation in Chamonix. Meeting with your guide in the evening, equipment check and briefing.

Day 2: Cosmiques hut (3613m) - 1 hour

At about 4.30 p.m. we will take the cable car to Aiguille du Midi. Then we walk down the snowy-icy ridge to Col du Midi. After short climb we will reach Cosmiques hut and stay there for the night.

- Aiguille du Midi (3775m) -> Cosmiques hut (3613m) = 45mins

Day 3: Mont Blanc (4808m) - 13/15 hours

We will get up at 1.30 a.m. and be on the route at 2.30 a.m. The duration of the climb to the top is between 7 and 10 hours. After reaching the top we will go down by the Normal route via Gouter hut and if the group is keeping a good pace we will be at Chamonix the save day (late in the evening). If the group is slow or tired we will spend the night at Tete Rousse hut or Nid d`Aigle hut and will continue the descent to Chamonix the next morning.

- Cosmiques hut (3613m) -> Col du Midi (3532m) = 15mins
- Col du Midi (3532m) -> Shoulder below Mont Blanc du Tacul (4120m) = 2hrs
- Shoulder below Mont Blanc du Tacul (4120m) -> Col Maudit (4035m) = 15mins
- Col Maudit (4035m) -> Col du Mont Maudit (4345m) = 2hrs 15mins
- Col du Mont Maudit (4345m) -> Col de la Brenva (4303m) = 30mins
- Col de la Brenva (4303m) -> Mur de la Cote (4485m) = 45mins
- Mur de la Cote (4485m) -> Mont Blanc (4808m) = 2hrs
- Mont Blanc (4808m) -> Nid d`Aigle (2372m) = 5hrs

Day 4: Extra Day for Bad Weather

The additional day to this program is planned in case of a bad weather or if we need to stay one more night in hut on our way down from the top.

Experience

To accomplish the climb you need to be in excellent physical condition and to have previous mountaineering experience including few long outings, self-arrest technique and ice climbing technique with an ice-axе and crampons.




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Personal Equipment

- 40-litre rucksack;
- Mountaineering boots - warm and suitable for crampons;
- Gaiters (with a strap under the boot);
- Crampons with anti-balling system;
- Classic ice axe;
- 1 or 2 telescopic ski poles;
- Lightweight and comfortable climbing harness + cow`s-tail with screw-gate karabiner;
- Head torch with new batteries;
- Lightweight helmet (especially for the Aiguille du Gouter);
- Warm socks (+ spare pair);
- Carline-type thermal T-shirt, avoid using cotton as it absorbs moisture and dries slowly;
- Polar fleece sweater;
- Down or Thermolite jacket;
- Carline-type or stretch polar fleece leggings;
- Waterproof jacket (with hood) and over-trousers (Gore Tex);
- Hat or headband;
- Balaclava;
- Sunglasses;
- Ski goggles;
- Pair of lightweight gloves;
- Pair of warm gloves or mittens;
- High SPF sun cream;
- 1-litre insulated water bottle;
- Snack food.




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