Mont Blanc: the highest in Europe
Mont Blanc at 4807m is the highest peak in the Alps and a dream for every mountaineer. Reaching the roof of Europe is challenging from any route but you are rewarded with unique beauty and emotion.
The French Normal Route from the Gouter Hut does not require great technical skills but solid aerobic training and good acclimatization.
In addition to this route, we offer experienced mountaineers the Three Monts Route from the Cosmiques Hut and the Italian Normal Route from the Gonella Hut.
These are more technical routes compared to the French Normal Route and require a 1:1 guide-to-client ratio but offer a unique and less commercial experience.
In both cases, excellent training, acclimatization, mountaineering experience, and proficiency in using crampons on slopes up to 45-50° are required.
Whatever route is chosen, Mont Blanc is a fascinating but demanding mountain not without objective dangers, where roping up with an experienced guide can help greatly in risk management.
How the experience unfolds
The ascent via the French Normal Route takes place over two days. On the first day you depart from Les Houches and, using the ski lifts, reach Nid d’Aigle (2372m). From here via trail and via ferrata you reach the Gouter Hut (3835m) where you spend the night.
On the second day you depart before dawn and across snowy slopes never too steep you reach the Dome du Gouter col and just beyond the Vallot Hut (4362m).
From here begins the final section of the Arête des Bosses. The ascent becomes more technical following the splendid final snow ridge that leads to the summit.
The descent follows the same route in reverse and it is normally advisable to sleep a second night at the Gouter Hut to avoid crossing the dangerous Grand Couloir during the warmest hours.
On the third day you return to Les Houches.
