Mont Blanc ascent with preparatory workshop - classic route - 6 days

Trip ends in the afternoon in Chamonix

This success of this ascent largely depends on the weather. Thus, we highly recommend you to purchase train tickets that can be changed or are reimbursable leaving sufficient flexibility. 

Access

Train& TGV access: www.voyages-sncf.com

Car access: www.mappy.fr 

Car sharing: www.blablacar.fr

Parking

Public parking free of charge can be found in Chamonix or Les Houches (both unattended), they guide will tell you where.

Skill level **

No specific difficulty, it's essentially walking on snow. However, you are advised to have some previous experience walking with crampons and to be used to walking off trail in the mountains carrying your backpack with some gear. Accessible for beginners but good hikers that have experience and can cope with altitudes above 3000 minimum. This technical level will enable you to progress and master mountaineering techniques in order to gain in autonomy for other more difficult mountaineering courses and ascents.

Stamina level ***

Good physical condition is required. You regularly train and do endurance sports (cycling, hiking, cross country skiing, swimming) several times a week at least six months to one year before the alpine course. For example, you run twice a week for one hour (10 km/h) and once a week make a longer physical effort for several hours.  

If you're not sure you're fit enough, don't hesitate to contact us to be sure !

« Good to know: If you haven't got the level required, the guide will be able to ask you to leave for the well-being of the rest of the group. If any doubt, please do not hesitate to ask us! »

4 to 6 participants

Azimut mountain guide for 6 days.

On ascent day: one guide for two participants.

We have great guide team, and select our guides mainly for their sympathy, their teaching and organisational skills. We stay tuned in, work hands in hands, and make sure their working conditions are the best.

Meet our guides and instructors just around the corner

You will have to carry your personal belongings, mountaineering gear and food supplies for several days. Your backpack will weigh approx 6 to 8 kilos (please leave behind any useless excess baggage).

Included in the price.

The price includes

- Organisation of the trip

- Minibus transfers upon arrival at one of the indicated meeting points

- Certified and expert mountain guide services for six days (including all his expenses: meals, accomodation, transportation, ski lift fares), and any other guides that may leed on the ascent day and all their expenses

- Half board for two nights at a 3* hotel in the valley, to get a few good night's sleep before the ascent 

- Half board for three nights in a mountain hut

- Picnics for 4 days from day 2 until day 5 

- Safety equipment 

- Ski lift passes included in the programme

The price does not include

- Transportation to/from the meeting point

- Drinks, including those with meals, personal costs and personal extras

- Gear rental

- Any fees due to a change in programme as a result of unsuitable weather conditions or ski lifts not functioning

- Personal insurance

 - Anything else that is not mentioned under the section “the price includes”

A 30% deposit, as well as the insurance cost if you choose to subscribe the latter, is required to secure your booking. You will receive a reminder email 35 days prior to departure for the outstanding balance due latest 30 days prior to departure. 

We strongly recommend you to be properly insured for the chosen activity. You should be covered for medical expenses, personal accident & liabilité, third party risks and rescue (helicopter), as well as trip cancellation or curtailment.

Repatriation and research insurance are mandatory when booking a trip with Azimut. We have a full range of Europ Assistance insurances on offer to suit the trip you select and the risks that it may incur. 

Tipping is no obligation. However participants usually hand round an envelope for those who wish to tip the guide.

Azimut's minibus is used throughout the whole trip. Not only does this make the trip easier, but it also makes it more pleasant and open: we can chat, sleep and listen to our own music !

Hotels and meals during the trip

- Depending on the size of group, you may share a room with someone of the opposite sex

- Accomodation in a 3* star hotel for 2 nights in the valley, in a shared twin or triple room  - single option possible if available - prices vary, please contact us

- Accomodation in dormitory in a mountain hut for 3 nights, bed linnen and towels not provided, blankets provided, sleeping bag liner obligatory, bathroom and toilets to be shared. For your personal purchases: cash only, credit cards are not accepted.

- Breakfast and dinner will be served in the hotel or mountain hut, we have picnics for lunch (4 picnics). Picnics consist of good quality products: meat, cheese, bread, a chocolate bar and a piece of fruit or a compote. If you have a special diet request, please contact us so we can inform the hotel and mountain hut.

- Snacks: to boost your energy we've chosen to provide Mulebar, tasty and great quality cereal bars

- Snack on day 6 : 1 salty bar, 1 cereal bar, 1 energetic snack and seeds. A lot of people would rather eat a warm meal on the last day. Consequently, we have decided to change the picnic into a nice snack.

Accomodation before & after ski touring trips

Once we've received your booking, we'll provide you with a list of accomodation in case you need to book a night before or after the trip. All accomodation listed is close to the meeting points. You may often benefit from preferential rates.l

In case of emergency or delay, you can either contact your guide (a phone number will be provided before departure) or contact Azimut on: (+ 33) 04 92 23 07 24.

Please inform your friends and family with these details before departure.

No wifi available in mountain huts, and remember: cash only.

4G and mobile coverage is very unreliable in the mountains.

Technical gear

- Crampons

- Harness

- Ice axe

- Helmet

- Folding walking sticks recommended: those made by Z-pole are compact, light and easy to stow away in your bag

- Gear for the group (such as ropes) is provided 

If you don't have the adequate equipment for the trip, don’t worry and travel light: we rent out the required gear and hand it over at the start of the trip ! Our equipment is relatively new, if not brand new, of good quality and adapted to your choice of activity.

Prices of rental equipment during the entire trip (these competitive prices only take into account the number of days of the trip):

You can choose to rent equipment when booking your trip, or lateron by clicking on “my account”. If any of the equipment that you’ve chosen is out of stock you’ll be notified and reimbursed.

If you bring your own gear please make sure:

- your boots are suitable and rigid for crampons use, and that they don't bend

- your crampons fit your feet and boots

- your harness and helmet are less than 5 years old

- you have a light ice axe (not a wooden one !) long enough to be used as a support for walking 

Clothes

This list of clothes is designed to give you an idea of clothes that it may be good to have with you. By no means do you need to have the latest brands nor the latest gear, but if you need to renew your wardrobe, this guide would be a good start. 

Headwear

- Light warm hat or buff / scarf / cap for approach walks / sunglasses suitable for glacier (category 4) / ski goggles for the Mont Blanc ascent

Tip for glasses and goggles: photochromic lenses adapt the light intensity and vary from category 2 to 4, they are very useful. 

Bodywear

- Base layer: a few breathable long and short sleeved tops (merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics, don't wear cotton, it will not dry). On a glacier and on snow your arms should always be covered in case you fall or slip.

- Mid-layer: a light fleece or lightweight hooded down jacket to wear during breaks under your Gore-tex or soft shell jacket.

- Outer-layer: it should have a breathable and waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack. 

- Bottom layer: long johns to wear during the ascent, lightweight mountaineering trousers and a pair of trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) - those with long side zips are recommended for climbs.

- Hands: light gloves (fleece or soft shell gloves), and pair of silk liners gloves to go underneath. Waterproof and warm mittens (or a second pair of gloves) for ascent day. 

Footwear

- Hiking socks: merino wool is warm and breathable 

- Rigid mountaineering boots that are crampon compatible

- Gaiters are obligatory if you rent Gore-tex trousers

- Lightweight shoes for your comfort on approach hikes (we can leave gear in the mountain hut during our stay) 

Odds & ends

• Sleeping bag liner
• Flask - 1.5 liter capacity (Camelbacks are not recommended as water often frozes), small bottles are convenient to put under your clothes to avoid water freezing. No tap water is available, water can be purchased at the Tête Rousse or the Goûter huts.
• Headlight with spare batteries
• Pocket knife
• Duck tape
• Suncream factor 50
• Duffle type bag holding up to 90 litres that will be left at the hotel or in a vehicle. No suitcases.
• Backpack: 35/40 liter capacity with a loop to carry your ice axe as well as a padded hip belt.

To be perfectly well organised we recommend you to put your gear in several small different sized bags.

Toiletries and first aid kit

- Personal toilet bag, only take essentials in the mountains

- To make your a first aid kit, please find all information on Ifremont's website. 

Our guides use the following brands for their gear and you'll have the opportunity to test them during the trip:

Black Crows

Arva 

Fitschi swiss bindigs 

Haglöfs

Glisshop

Anena

SCOTT

In partnership and official service provider for Terres d'Aventure

Don't forget to

- Leave contact details with your friends and family

- Bring your papers and I.D. (passport and visa if necessary)

- Bring your contract number and documents related to your insurance (if you've chosen not to have insure coverage with us)

- Bring your “carte vitale” and your European health card (EU member states) - if you don't have one you can order one for free online  www.ameli.fr

- Check that you have the right equipment

- Take spare batteries and a charger for your electronic devices (camera, video recorder, tracking devices etc)

- Bring some cash and your credit card (though not accepted in mountain huts)

- Bring a delicacy from your home country or area to share with the group

- Leave in a good frame of mind: we're going to have a great time even if we may not happen to not make it to the summit !

- Before leaving: water the plants, empty the rubbish bin, turn off water and gas, and tell your partner that you're going to have a good time (please not by text message), that you've well deserved... If you don't follow the latter recommendation, you'll most probably kick yourself when you get back!

                            We look forward to seeing you !

                           Enjoy your ascent with AZIMUT !