Ascent of Mont Blanc

Please see the Essential Information for the Alps page for info on guiding fees, preparation, accommodation & travel, equipment, and an explanation of fitness levels and mountaineering experience.

Is This The Right Course For Me?

This programme includes an attempt on one of the best-known peaks in the European Alps. A couple of additional peaks above 3,500m will be attempted in the process of gradual acclimatisation, and some nights will be spent in high mountain huts. The course is not of a technical nature, but a good level of fitness is required - it is aimed at strong hillwalkers/scramblers. No previous alpine experience is necessary, but experience on snow/ice is preferred, although not essential as these skills are taught during the course. The four acclimatisation days can be done at 1:4, with the two Mont Blanc days done at 1:2. For a group bigger than two, extra Guides will be brought in as needed to maintain the 1:2 ratio on Mont Blanc.

What Will The Programme Look Like?

We design each course programme individually, but the itinerary below gives a good idea of what you can expect to achieve. Please be aware that we often have to adjust an itinerary because of weather, snow conditions, fitness, lack of acclimatisation, etc.

Day 0: Arrive in Chamonix. Meet in the evening for a gear check and a chat about the week

Day 1: Skills training on the Mer de Glace: movement on rock, snow & ice in boots & crampons; Alpine rope work. Return to valley

Day 2: Walk to the Albert Premier hut (2702m) from the Col de Balme cable car, with more glacier training, overnight in the hut

Day 3: Ascent of the Aiguille du Tour (3540m), descend to the Trient hut (3170m), overnight in the hut

Day 4: Ascent of the Tête Blanche (3710m), and return to the valley

Day 5: Walk to the Cosmiques hut (3613m) from the Aiguille du Midi cable car (3842m), overnight in the hut

Day 6: Ascent of Mont Blanc (4807m, Grade PD-), and return to the valley. Celebrate!

What Dates Are Available?

See the calendar for availability for Alpine mountaineering

What Will I Have To Pay?

See the Essential Information for the Alps page for info on guiding fees, hut fees and cable car costs.

Here are some examples of what our clients expected to pay in 2023, based on the programme above.

With FOUR clients with one guide for the first four days and two guides for the fifth and sixth days:

Guiding fee per person: £900
Out of valley expenses per person, including personal expenses and share of guides' expenses: €460 + 135CHF

With THREE clients with one guide for the first four days and two guides for the fifth and sixth days:

Guiding fee per person: £1010
Out of valley expenses per person, including personal expenses and share of guides' expenses: €500 + 140CHF

With TWO clients with one guide for six days:

Guiding fee per person: £1290
Out of valley expenses per person, including personal expenses and guide's expenses: €490 + 160CHF

With ONE client with one guide for six days:

Guiding fee per person: £2460
Out of valley expenses per person, including personal expenses and guide's expenses: €630 + 210CHF

Useful blog posts

See the Essential Information for the Alps page for blog posts about equipment and Alpine mountaineering and rock climbing.

What Do Our Clients Say About Us?

As well as being patient with my poor tech skills, Chris is the perfect judge of pace. I also appreciate the great contribution made by Anne, as without her sterling efforts 'behind the scenes', things could not go so smoothly. It all worked out to perfection for me, so a huge 'Thank you' to both of you.
Wendy Dodds, July 2018