Mont Blanc Ascent

So you're interested in climbing Mont Blanc? At 4810m, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps. It's a tough objective and an awesome peak in a huge range. If successful, you will have the most enormous sense of satisfaction. The highest peak in the Alps is a wonderful summit with great views all the way across to the Matterhorn on a clear day!

We have been to the summit of Mont Blanc more than 100 times. In the winter, in the summer, on foot, on skis - you name it - we've tried it. This experience has lead to us putting together a programme which gives you a realistic chance of summit success.

The course has six guiding days. This gives you the chance to learn crampon, rope and ice-axe techniques, complete some training routes on smaller peaks and still give sufficient time for the ascent. We recommend this course duration, because it gives you the most realistic chance of summit success by enabling proper acclimatisation and giving the most leeway for inclement weather.

• 6 days guiding by experienced mountain guides.
  
• We provide technical equipment (crampons/ice axe/helmets/harness + group gear).
  
• We'll pick you up and drop you off at Geneva Airport.
  
• Great base hotel in Chamonix.
  
• Weather conditions allow us to run this trip between mid June and mid September
  
• We provide open or bespoke courses for individuals to larger groups
  
• We have many years experience in providing these courses.
  
• You need to be fit, have a head for heights and be technically coordinated.

Join us for a great adventure....

We run a 6 day course, which, with an arrival and departure day, is an eight day round trip (Sunday - Sunday). We run the course over this duration because it provides the best chance of your trip meeting the necessary criteria (weather, acclimatisation, ability, fitness) to maximise your summit chances.

You will meet your mountain guide on the morning of the first guiding day. You arrive the afternoon/evening before this for you to be ready for the start of the course, and if possible a day or two earlier than this to enable you to do some walking/acclimatising on your own.

The first days of the course are valuable days to acclimatise, refresh/learn mountain skills and climb some training peaks. These peaks are about 3500m high and no mean feat in themselves. We then attempt the ascent of Mont Blanc either from the Gouter or a traverse from the Cosmique side. This depends upon your fitness, mountain conditions and availability of huts.

A typical tour itinerary is described below:

Please note: This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members' fitness, weather conditions or for any other reason the guide may deem necessary.

To do this trip you will need to be physically fit, with a head for heights and technically coordinated. This is a tough challenge and even though you do not need previous alpine climbing experience to take part in our course (of course it is beneficial) you are attempting to climb the highest peak in the Alps and need to be suitably prepared!

It is physically demanding with a summit day of 12-14hrs, most of which is at altitude. In addition, it contains the need for scrambling to ‘easy' climbing with and without crampons, the ascent and descent of steep snow slopes as well the traverse of exposed ridges. The preparation days are usually of 6-6hrs duration.

We recommend you take part in one of our Scottish winter courses (Jan - Mar) to help you with your preparation for this course.

You should follow a fitness plan in preparation for your challenge. An example of one will be sent to you when you have confirmed your booking.

Although the fitness plan we will send to you has been devised by a fitness professional, this is only provided as a guide and you should seek professional advice before starting your own fitness regime.

Weather and snow conditions permit us to run this course anytime from mid June to mid September. The trip runs from a Sunday to a Sunday.

2010 dates so far are:

If the date you want is fully booked or not listed please contact us by clicking on the link below - we may still be able to help!

2011 dates so far:

These dates are available to individuals and groups.

If you have a group of 4 or more people we will be happy to run an exclusive trip for your group.

Included in the cost of the course:

• Professional event organisation.
• Mountain guiding.
• Arrival and departure transport between Geneva Airport and Chamonix hotel.
• 3 nights twin room accommodation with breakfast in Chamonix Valley hotel. Single rooms are available at a supplement.
• 4 nights hut accommodation half board dorm rooms
• Technical equipment (crampons, ice axe, helmets, harness + group gear).
• Group first aid kit with qualified first aiders.
• Completion certificate to prove you did it!

2010 price - £1495pp

• Your personal insurance.
• Return flights to Geneva.
  
• Cable cars.
• Lunch and evening meals in the valley.
• Lunch during the mountain days.

Aaron Maierhofer

I just wanted to say thanx to all of you guys for a great time last week. And I also want to say thanx for supporting me with my fear of heights. A lot of people would have just left me and got one with their own issues, as it was not easy for anybody. So thanx a bunch guys I had an amazing time.

Neil Harris

It was one hell of an experience, and I'll never forget it. I'm very proud that we were all so determined. The best time in the world!!!!

Michael Draper

I very much enjoyed the experience..... I thought the course was well organised and well balanced..... Stephan took us to a couple of places that I had not expected but was glad for the experience that gave me some insight into something more than simply trekking.

John Skilton

Arrived back yesterday from Chamonix, just thought I would take this opportunity, to say thanks again for yet another great trip. Fortunately this was to be the year for Mont Blanc success!

Jorn was again superb and the new guide Till I can highly recommend, for without his skill and patience the summit would have again been beyond reach.

La Bagna was also extremely hospitable, Philippe and Marie the perfect hosts. The food without question the best in the valley!

The route via Tacul is, as you know no mean task but I felt prepared following the acclimatisation training. The route took 14 hours to achieve and it was an experience I will never forget.
So on behalf of Steve and myself, thanks again.

Lesley Smillie

Trip was fantastic - so very big thank you from both Ian and I.

Tom is great - he is an excellent guide and I would be more than happy to recommend him to both beginners and experienced climbers alike. Many of my friends have climbed with (name of competitor withheld), but have been unable to reach the summit, partly due to larger parties not coping so well, therefore we really appreciated the 2:1 ratio.

Andrew Hansler

Just wanted to say thanks to you guys for helping turn a childhood dream into a reality, Tom, our guide deserves special thanks for putting up with our limited experience, my obsessive picture taking and having a fantastic sense of humour (he needed it) - a top class bloke and couldn't praise him more, I know I wouldn't have made it to the top without his help & guidance.