MONT BLANC SUMMIT (4810M) - CLASSIC ROUTE

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MONT BLANC SUMMIT (4810m) - CLASSIC ROUTE

On the roof of Europe!

In 1760, during his first trip to Chamonix, the naturalist from Geneva H.B. de Saussure published a message in the three parishes of the valley : a promise of a reward to whoever could find a "passable route" to reach top of Mont Blanc. Twenty-six years later, on August 8 1786, M-G. Paccard and J. Balmat finally broke the secret of the roof of the Alps and were the first to reach the summit. It took another year for H.B. de Saussure to realise his dream climbing the Mont Blanc. Today, Mont Blanc grasps the imagination of thousands of mountaineers each year looking to tackle the summit. 3 days of training and 3 days on Mont Blanc with a guide. The high mountain witinh reach.

6 days Guided / with a guide Without baggage transport

Accommodation : Classic (dormitory) Level : **** From : 2280€

You will like

● 3 days preparation for the ascent of Mont Blanc and 3 days on Mont Blanc to enable the best chance of a successful summit! ● 2 summit attempts depending on the weather ● One guide per two people ● Deserved rest: two nights in a hotel in the Chamonix valley

Altitude Montblanc - 62 Passage du Nant Devant - 74110 Montriond - +33(0)4 50 79 09 16 - [email protected] Capital 6000€ - IM 074100150 - APE 7912Z SIRET: 48156356700025 - TVA : FR67481563567 Assurance RC MMA SARL SAGA – Caution Groupama 200 000€ The route

Day 1

Meet at 2:00pm at Chamonix train station.

BRIEFING, EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION AND INITIATION After a presentation of the tour and distribution of rental equipment, we get right into it... at the rock climbing school at the Gaillands cliffs. You will learn how to move in steep, rocky terrain safely whilst wearing big boots. At the end of the day you'll have a briefing about the next two days. Night in a hotel in the Chamonix valley.

Day 2

COL DE BALME - ALBERT PREMIER REFUGE (2702m) Leave for the small village of Le Tour in the Chamonix valley to take the Charamillon gondola and then walk to the Albert Premier refuge (2702m). On the way, we take the opportunity for some lessons on the ice and learn how to move on a glacier safely with crampons on the feet! Night in a refuge. Elevation: +850m

Day 3

PETITE FOURCHE (3520m) OR AIGUILLE DU TOUR (3542m) At 5am leave for our first summit! The guide will choose which summit depending on the weather and the group. On our way, we enjoy a snow school session to learn how to stop when we slide on a snowy slope. In the afternoon, descend back to the Chamonix valley to rest and prepare for the Mont Blanc climb. In the evening, the guide will give his feedback on the first part of the course and a briefing for the next day. Night in a hotel. Elevation: +1100m -1800m

Day 4

CHAMONIX - TÊTE ROUSSE (3167m) In the morning, we take time to prepare for the climb. Depending on the weather conditions, we leave late morning or early afternoon for the cable car in Les Houches which takes us to the top of the Bellevue lift (1800m) and the train to the (Eagle's Nest) Nid d'Aigle (2372m). From here, we start the hike to Tête Rousse refuge (3167m). We meet the extra guides and organise the roped groups. Early to bed to get ready for the big day! Night in a refuge. Elevation: +795m

Day 5

TÊTE ROUSSE - REFUGE DU GOÛTER (3835m) - MONT BLANC (4810m) Departure around 3am heading to the Goûter refuge (3835m), cross the Goûter couloir which is partially equipped with cables (3 hour walk). After a break at the refuge, we move onto the glacier, towards Dôme du Goûter (4260m), a short descent brings us to the Dome pass. Ascending, we reach the Vallot refuge (4362m) (2.5 hour walk). From here it takes 2 hours via the famous Bosses ridge to reach the "roof of the Alps" ! Return via the same route to the Goûter refuge (2.5 hours) to spend the night. 10 to 12 hours walk / Elevation: +1750m -1075m

Day 6

GOÛTER REFUGE - TÊTE ROUSSE (3167m) - CHAMONIX Departure around 8am to reach Tête Rousse refuge (3167m) then down to the Chamonix valley. If the summit is not possible on day 5, it can be possible on day 6 after the night at Goûter refuge (3835m). Elevation: -1463m The trip

LEVEL****

Physical level: High level of fitness required, people who train regularly in endurance sports (cycling, hiking, running, cross-country skiing, swimming) several times a week for at least 6-12 months before departure. Minimum preparation is for example, twice a week, one hour of jogging (10km/h) and once a week an endurance sport for several hours.

Technical level: No particular difficulty, mainly walking on snow. However it is preferable to have already walked with crampons and to have a habit of walking (off-trail) in the mountains with a backpack of several kilos. Accessible to good beginner walkers who have walked up above 3000m. This type of level will allow you to evolve later in autonomy or on more technical mountaineering routes.

GUIDING

A qualified high mountain guide per two people for the duration of the tour. The guide may modify the itinerary at any time or cancel the tour for a participant who does not have the required level for their own safety and that of the group. In this case, the participant cannot claim any refund. In the event of very bad weather and always to ensure the safety of the participants, the tour may be cancelled. In this case, we will examine the reimbursement requests according to the number of days spent on the tour.

ACCOMMODATION

2 nights half-board accommodation, based on a shared twin room, in hotel in the Chamonix valley (single option possible subject to availability, price is variable and on request)

3 nights half-board accommodation in a refuge dormitory, blankets provided, *bed linen and towels are NOT provided, you must carry your own lightweight sleeping sheet, shared bathroom *no shower. For your personal purchases, credit cards are not accepted, cash only.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation. Lunches are not included and are taken in the refuges.

MAPS

IGN MAP Saint Gervais 3531 ET Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meet at 2:00pm in front of the Chamonix train station.

BY TRAIN / BUS Inbound: departure from Paris-Gare de Lyon the day before at 12:45pm (or 12:11pm) arrival in Chamonix at 7:48pm (6:48pm). Night bus: departure from Paris Bercy Gare at 11:20pm, arrive at Lyon Perrache at 5:15am, connection at 6:00am, arrival in Chamonix at 9:35am. Return night train: in progress... Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.oui.sncf

BY CAR www.mappy.fr If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact: Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week). The easiest option for your return is to leave your car in the free parking at Les Planards in Chamonix or in the parking at the Bellevue cable car in the village of Les Houches.

CAR-SHARING Get in touch with people to share a lift! Here are some website recommendations: www.blablacar.fr www.covoiturage-libre.fr www.laroueverte.com www.roulezmalin.com

CLOSEST AIRPORTS Geneva (GVA) 1 hour by car to Chamonix. Bus and minibus services direct to your accommodation (25-35€ pp each way) Lyon (LYS) 2h15 by car to Chamonix. Train every 2 hours to Chamonix, 4h15 journey (40-45€ pp return) Paris (PAR) 7 hours by car to Chamonix. Train every 2 hours to Chamonix / 5-6 hour journey (80-120€ pp return)

End point in the afternoon in Chamonix.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

On request, we can book a bedroom for you before and/or after your course.

Chamonix - Hôtel de l’Arve : +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31 Hôtel Vallée Blanche : +33 (0)4 50 53 04 50 Chamonix Tourist Office : +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24 www.chamonix.com

If you book a night in the Chamonix valley ask your hotel reception for a bus/train pass to use public transport for free in the Chamonix valley. www.chamonix.montblancbus.com/en/bus-lines

INSURANCE

In accordance with regulations, we are covered by Professional Liability Insurance. In no case can we be responsible for your own Personal Liability. If you chose to take out repatriation insurance with EUROP ASSISTANCE whom we propose, Altitude Mont Blanc will only serve as an intermediary between the client and the insurer. We cannot influence either party. We adhere to strict conditions of sale. You are responsible for compliance with the reporting procedures of any incident. We can only sell our insurance to European citizens speaking French.

If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07 Dates & prices

THE PRICE

The price includes:

● Organization and booking fees; ● All required transfers within the Chamonix valley; ● 2 nights half board accommodation in a hotel in the Chamonix valley; ● 3 nights half board accommodation in a refuge; ● Snacks for 6 days; ● Guiding by a qualified and insured high mountain guide and all his costs (accommodation, food, travel, lifts); ● All required lifts.

The price does not include:

● Your return journey from home to departure/end point; ● Lunches; ● Optional equipment hire: helmet, ice axe, crampons, harness - 45€ for 6 days; ● Equipment or clothing hire if required; ● Personal expenses (drinks, bottled drinking water etc.); ● The possible costs generated by a change of program, due to the weather, the non-functioning of the ski lifts or other; ● All required insurances; ● Touristic visits; ● Airport taxes.

The price is all inclusive from departure to end point. Equipment and baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

● Walking trousers ● Breathable or merino wool t-shirts ● Fleece or jumper ● Waterproof Gore-Tex jacket ● Warm down or synthetic fibre jacket ● Waterproof Gore-Tex over trousers (simple and light) ● Gaiters ● Pair of mountaineering gloves, pair of lightweight fleece or wool gloves ● Sun hat or baseball cap + warm headband + warm hat ● Walking socks (1 pair per day) ● Trail type running shoes for the climb to the first refuge (and especially much appreciated for the descent!) ● Mountaineering boots warm and suitable for use with crampons

Other Equipment

● Toilet bag with the bare minimum ● Small quick drying towel ● Glacier sunglasses with side protection, level 3-4 lenses ● Ski mask (in case of bad weather or strong winds) ● Sun cream factor +50 ● Water bottle (size depending on how much you normally drink) *warning Camelback style water bags can freeze! ● Flask (size depending on how much you normally drink) ● Multi use knife (always useful) ● Small First Aid kit (vitamin C, antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads, etc...) ● Survival blanket ● Head torch, spare batteries or recharge cable, replacement bulbs ● Sleeping bag liner sheet (blankets provided at refuge) ● Identity card or passport

TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

● Comfortabe 40-50 litre backpack ● Ice axe (adapted to your size) ● Pair of telescopic walking poles ● Pair of crampons already adjusted + must be "antibott" system (to stop the snow sticking) ● Climbing harness ● Climbing safety carabiner ● Lightweight climbing helmet

EQUIPMENT HIRE

Possiblity to hire technical equipment for 6 days:

● Helmet, ice axe, crampons, harness: 45€

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

You will be carrying your own kit and snack supplies for several days (avoid anything unnecessary).

If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point clearly marked with a name tag and it will be deposited at the end of your stay. Details

HOW TO REGISTER

- By internet: www.altitude-montblanc.com

- By telephone: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16

- By post: Please provide your details

● Surname, First Name, Date of birth ● Address ● Email ● Telephone ● Mobile

If you wish to register by post, please complete the form below and return it to:

Altitude Mont-Blanc 180, route du lac 74110 MONTRIOND FRANCE

Please specify whether you wish to take out an optional cancellation insurance (4.2% of the tour price).

On receipt of your registration we will email an invoice (per couple) with a request for a deposit of 30% in association with your account details at Altitude Mont-Blanc ('My Account'). Payment can be made by credit card, bank transfer or by cheque. On receipt of your deposit you will receive a registration confirmation. The balance must be paid one month before departure without a reminder from us. For self-guided tours, we will then send your tour pack (includes maps, descriptive book etc.)

Our terms and conditions of sale can be found on our website.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Registration by mail form

Last name:

First name:

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Price: x 30% = Deposit

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Return with your deposit to: Altitude Mont-Blanc, 62 Passage du Nant Devant, 74110 Montriond, FRANCE