Some great brands to try are La Sportiva, Scarpa, Millet and Salomon. Mountaineering Boots: Well insulated leather/synthetic boots are essential. If you are feeling anxious about the possibility of experiencing altitude sickness, visit your doctor for advice – he/she might be able to prescribe preventative medication. In addition to leaving enough time for acclimatization, main rules we encourage you to follow are to avoid any alcohol or drugs (even sleeping tablets can push you over edge to a raging headache), to drink plenty of water and to ascend slowly enough. This additional time is generally incorporated into your tour package and should be prioritized by individual hikers (we do not recommend that you hike alone – unless you are a very experienced climber). The effects of altitude sickness are commonly felt anywhere above 3000m above sea level, so for much of the Mont Blanc climb you are at risk.Įnsure that you are properly familiarized with the associated symptoms, which include fatigue, headaches and nausea.īecause there is no reliable way to predict whether you will be affected by altitude sickness – the likelihood of a person being affected is not correlated to his/her age, gender or fitness – everyone must spend a couple of days getting used to the new altitude. See above, under the Goûter Hut for more information on planning. You will also require your own personal guide for this route, due to its difficulty.įor reservations of the Cosmique Hut, phone +33 (0)4 50 54 40 16. This route requires good physical strength and crampon technique. The Cosmique Refuge is also slightly more comfortable than the Goûter Hut, allowing for a better night’s sleep before the summit.Īlpine grade: PD. However, the route is more scenically beautiful and less busy with fellow climbers. This route is technically and physically more challenging that the classic Goûter Hut option because of the steeper icy slopes – experience with crampon technique is necessary. You can descend Mont Blanc via the same route or via the Goûter Hut and complete the traverse of the mountain. Then, there is a brief descent to Col de la Brenva, and finally a climb to the summit. Plan your route carefully because this part of the route can be packed with climbers. This climb can be very steep and requires skilled front-pointing, as well as the use of an ice axe. Once atop Mont Blanc du Tacul, you will cross over the Col du Mont Maudit and ascend the long, snowy incline to the final section of technical terrain. The Trois Monts Route starts by taking the cable car to Aguille du Midi (3,842m), and is followed by a descent on the Aguille du Midi arête to the glacier du Tacul and an easy, quick walk to the Cosmique Refuge (3,613m).Įarly on Day 2, you will begin the climb of Mont Blanc du Tacul, a difficult ascent which has been known to present steep and exposed terrain due to the opening of crevasses. For the Goûter Hut reservations, email Antoine Rattin:, or click here.For the rates of the cable car, click here.Here are some details that might be useful to plan your trip: On the way down, you have a couple of options either via the same route as up, or past Aiguille du Midi. You will walk past the Vallot shelter, which can be used as an emergency bivouac, and then you’ll traverse the Bosses ridge, bracketed by the two protrusions which characterise the skyline as seen from the valley.Īfter about 4 and a half hours of technical climbing, using crampons and other equipment, you will reach the summit. Most of the day is just a long gradual incline, without any particularly steep sections. The last 550m to the hut is a tough scramble, especially after a long day’s exertion.įrom the second day onwards, you will be crossing glacial terrain, so crampons, harnesses and ropes are required. The Grand Couloir is a wide gully which is known for a high frequency of rock fall, and should be crossed as quickly as possible to minimise the risk of an accident. Staying at the Tête Rousse hut is typically preferred if you want to cross the Grand Couloir at a better time-of-day and have a quieter evening rest. The first section of the ascent is relatively easy walking terrain, but once you pass Tête Rousse you will traverse the infamous Grand Couloir. The Goûter Hut route starts at Les Houches, from where you take the cable car to Bellevue followed by the Tramway du Mont Blanc to the Nid d’Aigle (2,372m).įrom here there is a rock-and-snow scramble to either Tête Rousse hut (3,167m) or the Goûter hut (3817m) where you will stay overnight. The Goûter Hut Route is the most popular route up Mont Blanc and is generally considered the easiest, although there are still technically challenging areas and the hazard of rock-fall.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |