Mont Blanc Ascent

A serene arrival at the roof top of Europe, that is our goal! Ideal preparations for reaching our double objective:  altitude acclimatization and acquisition of useful, safety techniques. Professional guides there to listen to your needs and rope party companions to accompany you up the ascent of the Alps highest summit (15,774 feet).

• Day 1/  Arrival in Geneva, transfer to Chamonix
• Day 2/  Hike (Flégère) with panoramic views on the mountains
• Day 3/  Mer de Glace, Requin hut
• Day 4/  Mer de Glace (glacier walking), Couvercle hut
• Day 5/  Walk on the glaciers (Charpoua), Chamonix
• Day 6/  Up to Tête Rousse hut
• Day 7/  Up to Goûter hut
• Day 8/  Mont Blanc (15,774 feet)
• Day 9/  Relaxing in Chamonix
• Day 10/  Transfer to Geneva for flight home.

Mont Blanc is our objective! A summit and an emblematic mountain range of the Alps.
Unnecessary, in fact, to brag about such a site! This roof of Europe was conquered first on August 8, 1786, by Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard, marking the birth of alpinism and the beginning of the conquest of the summits.
Summits which reveal a natural inheritance of an exceptional character. Alive valleys also testify to a culture, predominantly mountain oriented.  After an incursion into the middle of the mountain range, slowly, the ascent begins!  Two nights in a refuge in the Mer de Glace ("Sea of Ice") area, an impossible basin to circumvent where the Leschaux and Tacul glaciers come together, precede our return to Chamonix, the incredible mountain village dominated by mountain summits and fantastic needles. Then comes our  three day ascent via the traditional Mount Blanc route and by the Tete Rousse and Gouter huts. A summit, which forecasts an unforgettable memory!

Day 1/  Geneva - Chamonix
Reception at Geneva airport with shuttle transportation to hotel. Settle in at the "Prieure" hotel in Chamonix or the "Croix Blanche", evening meal at the restaurant in the hotel while enjoying a panoramic sight onto Chamonix and the surrounding glaciers. (Guaranteed spectacle!).

Day 2/ Chamonix - Flégère - Chéserys - Chamonix
Return to Chamonix in the afternoon to organize our technical material and to prepare for our departure! Quiet evening in the middle of the city to dine and to take stock on the activities planned for the next few days.
4/5 H hike

Day 3/  Chamonix - Mer de Glace - Requin Hut
Departure for the Montenvers mountain train up to the higher train station (6,263 feet), which gives access to the Mer de Glace (glacier) and the Chamonix valley, an impossible site to circumvent. We climb us this glacial valley to a place called the Moulins, before continuing towards the Tacul glacier. Some metal ladders help with our arrival at the Requin hut (8,255 feet). Orientation by the program's guide on the equipment and safety techniques.  Meal and overnight at the hut.
5 H hike - Ascent = 2,790 feet - Descent = 500 feet.

Day 4/  Requin Hut- Mer de Glace Balcony path - Couvercle hut
Return to the Tacul glacier, opportunity to work on our « glacier technique » once again.  Then, climbing up  a succession of splendid « ladders » to the Couvercle Hut (8,816 feet).
4. 30 H hike - Ascent: 1,150 feet - Descent = 1,650 feet.

Day 5/  Couvercle Hut -  Mer de Glace Balcony path - Montenvers - Chamonix
Crossing under the "ecclesiastical" needles: the Monk, the Nun, the Bishop and the Cardinal. Plumb?  with the refuge with Charpoua, redescend on the glacier by another series of "ladders". Short ascent to Montenvers and return in to the valley by the hooked railroad tracks train. Settle in at the hotel in Chamonix. End of the day and diner. Night in 3 *** hotel.
4 H hike - Ascent = 500 feet - Descent = 3,110 feet.

Day 6/  Chamonix - Nid d'Aigle - Tête-Rousse Hut
Bus transfer to the Houches, where we go up to Bellevue with the cable car. Then, the Mont Blanc tram leads us to the Nid d'Aigle view point (7,782 feet). Easy walk to access the Tete Rousse hut (10,390 feet). Meal and night at the refuge.
2 H 30 hike - Ascent = 2,630 feet.

Day 7/  Hut Tête-Rousse - Goûter Hut
Relaxing departure in the morning. More mountain guides join our group and the rope parties are established for the ascent to the top. Delicate traverse of a "couloir's" traverse, exposed to falling stones. Our night in altitude the previous day allowed us a favorable rest prior to our progression. The obliged passage of the "normal" Mount Blanc route brings us to the Le Gouter refuge (12,674 feet), spectacularly attached to the mountain. Meal and early to bed!
OR a reserved day: in case of bad weather announced for the following day, it is possible to climb directly up to the Mont Blanc summit that day, after a short pause at the Le Gouter hut. This decision will be made by the main guide, according to the conditions and the level of the participants.
2. 30 H hike - Ascent= 2,300 feet.

Day 8/  Goûter Hut - Mont-Blanc - Goûter Hut - Nid d'Aigle - Chamonix
At 3 a.m, the head lamp already lights our first steps on the dome of Le Gouter. The dawn accompanies us to the Vallot refuge (14,311 feet), a hut perched in full sky. The cold is accentuated on the summit route, starting with the "Bosses" steep ridge (19,918 feet). After Tournette's rocks, the peak makes the back round and the overhead traverse springs above the northern face of the glacial spaces. The Mount Blanc top at 15,774 feet (updated during the last measurement of in December 2005) is reached around 7-8 am and the achievement provides a unique emotion. A panoramic, circular glance on all of the mountains of the Alps, from Mount Viso to the Matterhorn and further... In the foreground, the most prestigious summits of the mountain range are under our feet: Grandes-Jorasses, Aiguille of Midi, Tooth of the Giant. We return 6 hours on the same route for our descent, again requiring as much vigilance. Separation at Chamonix around 5 pm.
10 H hike - Ascent = 3,280 feet - Descent = 8,038 feet.

Day 9/  Day Off in Chamonix « take it easy »
Free or potential spare day. Festive meal at the panoramic restaurant celebrating our Mount Blanc ascent.

Day 10/  End of the stay
Return shuttle to Geneva airport.

- The hiking/climbing time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

Day 2, each participant walks with a light back pack, carrying only the personal items necessary for the day (water bottle, camera, protective clothing, etc).
From Day 3 to Day 5, and Day 6 to Day 8, you carry all of your personal belongings plus your daily picnic and energy food. Your bag contains the essential minimum for the circuit, and can not exceed 18 to 22 pounds.

The guide
- experienced Mountain World Travel English speaking professional high mountain guide (UIAGM); one guide for 2 customers during 2 days Mont Blanc ascent.

Ground Transportation by private mini buses or taxi, cable car and mountain train.

In Chamonix (5 nights), we book hotels, inns, or similar, of excellent standard, 3 stars, based on double occupancy and according to availability at the time of reservation. We choose these hotels, not only for the excellent price/quality ratio, but also for their cordiality and hospitality.
- 4 nights in mountain hut, shared dormitory accommodation.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Downtown: Breakfast and dinner at the hotel restaurant.
In the mountains, we want to be able to provide you with well balanced/hearty meals to keep you well fueled during your exertions, but at the same time keep the weight in the bags that we carry to a minimum.
- Breakfasts are prepared by our hosts in the huts.
- Lunch: picnic, in the form of sandwiches, cheese and fruits.
- Energy food (an assortment of chocolate bars to accompany you in the effort) provided by Mountain World Travel.
Drinks: mineral water provided
Save a bit of room in your bag to split carrying some of our food supply.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions - Limitations of Liability.

• International flights  in/out Geneva
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions /options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Drinks (except mineral water at restaurant)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guide
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).

Our preferred airlines to fly to Geneva, Switzerland
-  Swiss, the national company, operates daily to Geneva in cooperation with Star Alliance
-  Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - KLM), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through Amsterdam or Paris.
-  StarAlliance (United, Lufthansa) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through Frankfurt or Munich
-  Oneworld (American, British) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Geneva, through London.

Formalities for US, Canada, Australia, NZ passport travelers: a valid passport; US citizens are admitted to France for up to 90 days.
US citizens, please check with the US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements 
France  
Switzerland
For other nationalities, please contact the French and Swiss embassies in your country.

No vaccine is obligatory. We advise you, however, to be up date for traditional vaccinations: Diphtheria - Tetanus - Poliomyelitis, Typhoid fever. Vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended.

Health hazards
- Heat: protect your eyes and your skin against the sun, as it is more intense with altitude.
- Cold: plan on packing protective clothing against the cold (jackets, fleece, gloves, hat), especially in relevance to the activity.
- Dehydration: drink and nourish yourself sufficiently and correctly throughout the effort.
- Small wounds: blisters, tendonitis...bring along band aids, an antiseptic and another cream for muscle aches. They will take up a bit of room, but well worth the space.

Altitude sickness: can be felt at around 8,000 feet and above and can come on quickly (after just one night spent in altitude). Hard to predict and varies completely from one person to another. Good hydration is necessary, progressive altitude acclimatization and Aspirin can all help in preventing the unpleasant side effects of altitude sickness.
Please visit:  http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 4
3 months prior: Hike 10 to 12 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days OR if you are regularly committed, on an annual basis, to another sports activity that develops stamina (jogging, cycling or swimming) for a cumulative duration of 2 to 3 hours per week (without excessive shortness of breath or exceptional fatigue), you should be up to speed.

Attention to cold temperatures at the top of the summit amplified by the wind.

Basic Equipment
- Thermal underwear (fast drying)
- Thin thermal fleece turtle neck
- A warm fleece jacket in fleece (light weight/well insulated).
- A mountaineering jacket and a down jacket .
- Mountaineering pants.
- Thermal long underwear.
- A ski hat and a neck gaiter.
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun.
- Very good ski sunglasses with side protections.
- A ski mask for the summit.
- A pair of warm/waterproof technical mountaineering Gore-Tex gloves (double lawyer of down)) or a pair of Gore-Tex over-mittens and warm under-gloves.
- A pair of replacement gloves.
- A rain poncho
- A survival blanket (reinforced model).
- A water bottle (no Camelback, as tube will freeze).
- Hand and foot warmers

Shoes and technical material
- Mountaineering shoes with rigid soles compatible for crampons.
- Thermal Socks
- A head lamp.
- Waterproof/breathable Over-pants (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gaiters.
- A pair of telescopic walking poles (optional).
- A pair of crampons with "antibottes" (rubber plates preventing snow from balling up underfoot).
- An ice axe.
- Mountaineering helmet.
- An adjustable, light and compact harness, adapted for walking.
- A locking carabiner, for rope maneuvers.
- Slings and cordelettes.

Sleeping
- A bed sheet only (blankets are provided by the huts)
For all of the night (s) in hut (s), Mountain World Travel provides a new recyclable bed sheet to each participant.

Pharmacy
- You own small "pharmacy" to have validated by your Doctor. It should contain: sun lotion, bandages, sterile strips and double skin, anti diarrhea medication, pain killers, an anti inflammatory, a muscle relaxant, eye lotion, cough drops, a broad spectrum antibiotic, disinfectant, tweezers, personal ear plugs, and personal drugs. And anything else indicated on the "Trip Details" page or in "Important Information" (including necessary items to treat altitude sickness).
- However, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness (Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).

Luggage
- A robust and technical back pack of a capacity of 11 to 14 pounds

Miscellaneous
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- Duct tape
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).
- Temperatures can be icy at the top, even in the middle of the summer. Plan on bringing winter mountain equipment.
- If you wish to rent mountaineering shoes, ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet, please inform us at the time of your booking. As Mountain World Travel does not itself rent out this kind of material, we will direct you to our partner store at location (you will be offered a discount). The confirmation that you receive after booking will specify directions to the rental shop.

On the day of arrival (and depending on his/her availability), your guide will be able to help you for choosing your rental equipment.

Here is an idea of pricing for crampons, ice axe, harness and helmet:
- $ 70 for a 3 to 5 day duration,
- $ 100 for a 6 to 9 day duration.
A deposit is required when renting material (credit card imprint).