Alpine Introduction Mont Blanc Extension

Duration 5 Days » Grade Introductory

Mont Blanc Photo: © Thomas Chatfield

This Mont Blanc extension is designed for those have completed an Alpine Introduction course in Arolla the week before. To have a realistic shot at Western Europe's highest mountain, we climb via the Goûter Route (Alpine grade PD), the most assured route for reaching the summit. Three days are set aside, with nights booked in either the Tête Rousse Hut (3,167m) and/or the Goûter Hut (3,817m). The guiding ratio on Mont Blanc is 1:2.

The Goûter Route

The Goûter Route is the most frequented ascent route on Mont Blanc with little technical difficulty in good conditions, but exposed snow crests in the upper section. The route is physically challenging and requires a good degree of fitness and stamina. The Goûter Route is our choice of route on Mont Blanc, as it is in condition far more consistently than the 'Three Monts' route (PD+/AD) from the Cosmiques Hut. The north-west face of Mont Blanc du Tacul on the Three Monts route is frequently threatened by serac fall and avalanche danger, so we prefer to avoid it altogether.

On the Goûter Route, we normally utilise the Goûter Hut (3,817m) and the Tête Rousse (3,167m) on our ascent and descent. Our guides will decide the strategy for the climb, depending on the team's fitness and conditions. Having taken the Tramway du Mont Blanc to Nid D'Aigle, it takes approximately 5 hours to ascend to the Goûter Hut. This part of the ascent involves mixed climbing on snow and rock. From the hut, we climb moderately angled snow slopes to the Dôme du Goûter, then reach the Bosses Ridge and eventually, the summit ridge. It is normal to take 5 hours to climb from the Goûter Hut to the summit, or, if you climb from the lower Tête-Rousse Hut, 8 hours. Descent is via the same route, sleeping at either the Goûter Hut or Tête-Rousse Hut.

Typical Programme

Day 1:	Saturday. Course participants transfer from Arolla to Chamonix (cost included). In the evening we will have a briefing, covering what you should expect on Mont Blanc.
Day 2:	Sunday. Morning preparation for Mont Blanc. Ascend to the Tête Rousse hut (3,167m).
Day 3:	Monday. Climb Mont Blanc via the Goûter Route, climbing today to the Goûter Hut (3,817m), where we leave very early the next morning for the top. Alternatively, we may climb to the summit today and descend to the Goûter Hut in the evening. The guides will make this decision based on the weather conditions and the fitness of the group.
Day 4:	Tuesday. On the Goûter Route, summit and descend to the valley. Or descend from the Goûter Hut if we have climbed Mont Blanc the previous day. Overnight at our hotel in Chamonix.
Day 5:	Wednesday. Dispersal. Breakfast will be provided on the last morning before you leave the course.

Further Information

Find out more about our Course bases, Course Inclusions and Exclusions, Course Directors and Guiding Ratios... [read more]

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Dates

Click to book a place online
Sat 26 Jun - Wed 30 Jun '10 Sat 3 Jul - Wed 7 Jul '10 Sat 10 Jul - Wed 14 Jul '10 Sat 17 Jul - Wed 21 Jul '10 Sat 24 Jul - Wed 28 Jul '10 Sat 31 Jul - Wed 4 Aug '10 Sat 7 Aug - Wed 11 Aug '10 Sat 14 Aug - Wed 18 Aug '10 Sat 21 Aug - Wed 25 Aug '10 Sat 28 Aug - Wed 1 Sep '10 Sat 4 Sep - Wed 8 Sep '10 Sat 11 Sep - Wed 15 Sep '10

Prices (choose currency)

Joining in	Chamonix £895
Insurance	Course Only £12
Optional Single Room £15

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Other Courses at this Grade

These courses have a similar grade and might also suit you. They are all considered to be 'introductory courses'.

Course name	Days
Introductory Ski Mountaineering	8
Rock Introduction Bank Holiday	4
Haute Route Mont Blanc Extension	5
Piste Performance - The 3 Valleys	8

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