Detailed trip file Mont Blanc summit O n e F o o t A b r o a d G u i n n e s s E n t e r p r i s e C e n t r e, T a y l o r ' s L a n e D u b l i n 8, I r e l a n d U K : + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 8 1 2 3 0 5 9 9 I r e l a n d : + 3 5 3 ( 0 ) 1 4 4 3 3 9 7 3 U S A : + 1 9 1 7 2 6 7 7 5 2 4 F r a n c e : + 3 3 ( 0 ) 4 8 3 5 8 0 5 4 7 GUIDED CLIMBING THE TOP OF EUROPE LEARN GLACIER TECHNIQUE AIGUILLE D ENTREVES ARETE DES COSMIQUES MONT MAUDIT MER DE GLACE & VALLEE BLANCHE i n f o @ o n e f o o t a b r o a d. c o m
Summary Every year the summit of Mont Blanc becomes the ultimate objective for mountaineers the world over, all striving to stand on top of the roof of Europe and look down on all of the major summits of the Alps. Indeed, Mont Blanc is more than just the highest mountain in Europe west of the Caucasus. It's a mountain range, compact and complete in itself. Mont Blanc, meaning "White Mountain" rises 4,810 m above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence. It is also sometimes known as La Dame Blanche (French for "the White Lady"). The first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc was on 8 August 1786 by Jacques Balmat and the doctor Michel Paccard. This climb, initiated by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, who gave a reward for the successful ascent, traditionally marks the start of modern mountaineering. The first woman to reach the summit was Marie Paradis in 1808. Climbing to the peak of Mont-Blanc is a serious undertaking. It is highly recommended to physically prepare yourself long before the climb. To climb Mont Blanc from Chamonix, the route begins from the Aiguille du Midi and passes through Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. The ascent revels some of the most exquisite mountain scenery and landscapes of all. Then, at the top and after a great deal of effort, you discover the majestic view from the Mont Blanc summit. "Mont Blanc is the monarch of mountains; They crowned him long ago on a throne of rocks, in a robe of clouds, with a diadem of snow." Lord Byron One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 1 of 7
Itinerary Mont Blanc Summit - Course & Summit 7 days Day 1: Chamonix Day 2: Chamonix - Technical learning on a glacier Day 3: Chamonix - Snow and ice hiking in high altitude Day 4: Chamonix - Snow and ice hiking in high altitude Day 5: Departure for Mont-Blanc climbing. Hiking to the Cosmiques hut Day 6: Mont-Blanc climbing. From the hut to the top and back. Night in Chamonix Day 7: Chamonix - end of the trip Itinerary description Day 1: Chamonix Arrival and night in Chamonix in a 3* hotel B&B. Located in the French Alps, Chamonix offers a true French European mountain experience with stunning hiking, old Savoyard culture and of course unforgettable views. Towering above Chamonix, Mont-Blanc is the tallest mountain in Europe reaching 4810m, 15,781ft. The views will blow you away. Day 2: Technical learning on a glacier Technical lesson on Mer de Glace glacier about the use of crampons, walking while roped up and elementary knots. A group activity, gathering all the participants of the week. Night in 3* hotel B&B Chamonix. 1 guide for maximum 6 participants. From the second day: A private guide for 2 participants during 4 days. Day 3: Snow and ice hiking in high altitude We will test you using the technics learnt on day 2 on the high mountain terrain, over an altitude of 3500 m. High altitude hiking examples: Traversée de la Vallée Blanche, Arête des cosmiques, Aiguille d Entrèves, Night in 3* hotel B&B Chamonix. One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 2 of 7
Day 4: Snow and ice hiking in high altitude We will test you using the technics learnt on day 2 and day 3 on the high mountain terrain, over an altitude of 3500 m. High altitude hiking examples: Traversée de la Vallée Blanche, Arête des cosmiques, Aiguille d Entrèves, Night in 3* hotel B&B Chamonix. Day 5: Departure for Mont-Blanc climbing. Hiking to the Cosmiques hut (+50 m/-200 m) From the Cable car of the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m) a short hiking with crampons to reach the Cosmiques hut (3613m), about 1 hour. Night in Refuge des Cosmiques Half Board. Day 6: Mont-Blanc climbing. From the hut to the top and back (+1400 m/-2700 m) Day 7: Chamonix Mont Blanc du Tacul shoulder (4100 m) then shoulder of the Mont Maudit (4280 m), Brenva pass and Mont Blanc summit (4810 m) : 6 to 8 hours. Return route via the same way or via Aiguille du Goûter (3819 m) depending on snow and glacier conditions. Night in 3* hotel B&B Chamonix.. End of the itinerary. Check out our options. We can arrange extra nights in Chamonix. We can also arrange station/airport transfer. Please get in touch: info@onefootabroad.com for more info. One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 3 of 7
How to get there Way in/back: to/from Chamonix Best airport is Geneva International Airport. Other possible airports: Lyon International Airport or Paris Orly and Paris Charles De Gaulle. For more information, click on our flights to France tool. Check train transfers below to choose the most convenient airport. Geneva International Airport, 88 km west of Chamonix. Daily direct flights: Geneva - London Stanted (1.35 hrs) - British Airways Geneva - Dublin (2.10 hrs) - Aerlingus Geneva - Cork (3.50 hrs) - KLM Lyon - Dublin (2.05 hrs) - Aerlingus Daily TGV from/to: Genova - Chamonix (6.45 hrs) Lyon - Chamonix (4.00 hrs) - 1 connection in St Gervais Les Bains Paris - Chamonix (6.45 hrs) - 1 connection Bellegarde Details on prices and time on the sncf website Motorway: Geneva/Chamonix: 80 km (A40) Annecy/Chamonix 100 km (A40) Lyon/Chamonix: 220 km (A42, then A40) Paris/Chamonix: 615 km (A6, then A40) Geneva/Chamonix Chamonix bus See our options in Date & Prices One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 4 of 7
What is included? Included Optional Not included - 5 nights in 2* or 3* hotels and 1 night in a refuge - Transfer from/to airport - Flights/trains (See How to get there tab) - 6 breakfasts + 5 lunches + 1 dinner - Pre/Post-stay days - Insurance - English speaking guide - Upgrade Hotels: 3*, 4* - Drinks or 5* - Emergency phone number - Equipment rental - Customer service - Ascent and descent cable Chamonix/Aiguille du Midi Dates & Prices Best prices on the market based on this level of comfort and standard! Package option Mont Blanc Summit Course & Summit 7 days - Guided Price starts from 1435 One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 5 of 7
Requirements "If there's a will, there's a way" Do not worry, climb Mont Blanc is not "Virtually impossible": "if there's a will, there's a way". However, this climbing is delicate and requires several acquired skills. Physical level The participant must have a very good physical level: Mont-Blanc climbing has to be prepared months ago with a regular training to get a good stamina (running, cycling, hiking ). Technical level Hiking experience with crampons: Before climbing Mont-Blanc it is necessary to be able to hike with crampons in high altitude. We will teach you the techniques on the 3 first days of the course. If you choose the 2 days ascent you have to be able to use it correctly. Guiding policy For optimum safety, The Compagnie des Guides has unique guiding standards: - 1 guide for maximum 6 participants on day 1. - 1 private guide for maximum 2 participants on the 4 last days. - Guiding policy is very strict and specific to the Chamonix Guide s Company. Documents ID or valid passport. Having a repatriation insurance is mandatory. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended. We provide optional insurance contracts for repatriation and trip cancellation. Equipment - Warm clothes Warm pair of pants, warm jacket preferably with a hood, polar fleece and windbreaker with a hood. Quality gloves and or mits, warm socks, gaiters. Backpack (40 liters), altitude sunglasses and goggles. Water bottle, headlamp, sunscreen lotion. Cotton or silk sleeping bag for the hut. - Specific equipment Quality mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet. The guide will advise you according to the conditions at the time. - Rental of the technical equipment including High mountain boots, crampons, ice axe, harness, helmet. Climbing Mont Blanc is a serious undertaking. By choosing a preparation course you are giving yourself a better chance to succeed. It is highly recommended to physically prepare yourself before arriving. One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 6 of 7
See you soon Keeping in touch Thank you for choosing One Foot Abroad. We are committed to provide you with the highest quality of service. For this reason, we would be really grateful if you send us your feedback by completing a simple and quick questionnaire at the internet link: We use your answers to continuously improve the quality and accuracy of the walking notes and, more generally, of our services. We look forward to hearing from you again, so please contact us for information about your walking holiday: Email: info@onefootabroad.com Tel: By post: One Foot Abroad Guinness Enterprise Centre, Taylors Lane, Dublin 8 Ireland Loyalty discount for returning customers 3% off all bookings for returning customers. 8% off all bookings made 2 or more months in advance by returning customers (combines 5% early booking + 3% loyalty). Discounts apply exclusively to basic package. One Foot Abroad Tel: +353 1 443 3973 info@onefootabroad.com Page 7 of 7