Rose Jones Travel Award Report: The Tour of Mont Blanc

Last summer I completed half of the Tour of Mont Blanc, whilst collecting data to demonstrate the effect of trekking on resting heart rate and breathing rate. Before departing, I also recorded body weight and kept a food log throughout the trip. At 4807m the summit of Mont Blanc stands over 3700m above the French town Chamonix, our starting point, and 3500m above the Italian town Courmayeur, our finishing point. The tour of Mont Blanc encompasses the Mont Blanc massif along a 170km trail which passes through France, Italy and Switzerland. This experience was one I will never forget and I cannot thank the CET enough for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

As we drove from Geneva airport to Chamonix, I was amazed by the view of the Mont Blanc Massif. The folding mountains were an astonishing view. On arrival, after a flight delay, we decided to change our plan and had to get a cable car to our starting point to ensure we got to our first hostel on time. We began a descent of over 1500m from the peak Le Brévent to Chamonix’s neighbouring town Les Houches. As we stepped off the cable car we were greeted by a view of the Lac du Brevent and a full-frontal view of Mont Blanc. The pathway zig zaged along the rocky landscape and, although the steep descent was difficult, the panoramic view made it worth it. On our way down we befriended a Canadian man who was completing the final leg of the Tour. The three of us wandered down towards Les Houches together, whilst Steph and I quizzed him on his experiences touring Mont Blanc. After 3 hours of descent, we reached our first hostel – Chalet Les Méandres.

Left – Steph and I before beginning the trek at the Le Brévent peak. Right – The view from the trail as we descended from Le Brévent towards Les Houches.

The next morning we woke early in preparation for a full day of trekking. The morning haze outside of our chalet with the dark contrast of the glacial mountains, was a wonderful view to wake up to. Les Houches is situated at the lowest end of the Chamonix Valley, below the Aigulle de Goûter. We wandered into Les Houches where we began our walk with a steep ascent to Col de Voza, followed by a steedy descent into Les Contamines. On the way we walked through the small hamlet, Bionnassay, nestled above the valley of Bionnassay, whilst doing so we admired the impressive chalets. We finally reached our second hut at 4pm. Exhausted, we sought out some cold-water therapy in a nearby lake beneath the Glacier de Tré la Tête.

Chalet Les Meandres – 7am

Steph and I on our way up to the Col de Voza. With Les Houches and the Aigulle de Goûter in the background.

Running into the cold water of a lake in Les Contamines after a full day trekking.

The third day was our toughest, it included the ascent to the highest point of the entire Tour, the Col des Fours. We estimated it might take us around 9 hours to complete. We struggled to the top, but the view of Mont Blanc to the Northeast beyond the Aiguille glaciers, a shining dome of snow and ice, provided the perfect spot for lunch. Each day, we paid for a pack lunch from the Hostel we had stayed the previous night. On descent from the Col, we reached a farm track and wandered through the La Ville des Glaciers, to our favourite hostel of the trip – the Refuge des Mottets, a converted dairy farm. Here we were treated to a delicious three course meal in a dining hall decorated with traditional cheese making implements. We were also given entertainment from the Orgue de Barbarie, a traditional French instrument. We were pleased to meet some fellow English women who, generously, provided Steph and I with the necessary blister plasters after a long day trekking.

Views whilst trekking up towards the highest point of the TMB, the Col des Fours.

The panoramic view at the top of the Tête Nord des Fours – 2750m above sea level. The next morning we were greeted with another steep ascent up the Col de la Seigne, which marked the boarder between France and Italy. Standing on top of the Col, views in all directions were magnificent. To the right, there is a green hillside, while on the left there are a succession of sharp peaks and spiky ridges. However, the most dominant feature was, of course, Mont Blanc which glistened in the morning sun. We replenished with snacks and were reluctant to leave given the amazing view, but the chill had gotten to us and so we began our descent. After a few hours of trekking we came across the beautiful Lac Combal, which had crystal clear waters that mirrored the surrounding rugged mountains. 55 miles from our first hostel, we reached our fourth hostel which was situated around an hours walk from Courmayeur.

Steph and I at the Italian border on the Col de la Seigne

The view from the Col de la Seigne, looking out to the Italian side.

Lac Combal

Our final day of walking consisted of a short descent to Courmayeur, a small alpine resort. Once this was complete we spent the day in Courmayeur, celebrating our successful trek with two large slices of pizza. Later on, we caught a bus from Courmayeur to Chamonix via the Mont Blanc tunnel. To our amazement, this trip took a mere 10 minutes, a trip that took us over 3 days on foot. Once we reached Chamonix we headed to our final hostel - Le Vagabond. Here we settled into our dormitory and, later on, we headed out for dinner and dessert at a small burger joint. The next day we had a few hours, before our bus back to Geneva airport, which we spent relaxing at Chamonix’s outdoor pool.

Days spent relaxing in Chamonix and Courmayeur after completing the trek.

Reminiscing on the trip, I realise how fortunate I was to have such a wonderful opportunity. I was able to combine my love for the outdoors and trekking, with a chance to design my own biological investigation which is likely to assist me in my future studies as I pursue a university course closely related to it. Once again, I cannot thank the CET enough for providing me with the financial support I needed in order to complete this trip. After enjoying this trip so much, I am planning to complete a similar excursion next summer - the GR5 route that goes from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean.