Climb Mont Blanc in 3 Days course

  • On the way to Tete Rousse refuge on the Mont Blanc (3 day course)
  • Climbing the aiguille du Gouter on the Mont Blanc
  • The new Gouter refuge on the Mont Blanc
  • Leaving the Gouter hut for the summit of Mont Blanc
  • The aiguille du Gouter ridge and refuge at sunset
  • Climbing Mont Blanc on the Dome du Gouter
  • View towards the Aiguille du Midi in the Mont Blanc range
  • Mont Blanc summit from the Dome du Gouter - 4300 m
  • Summiting the Mont Blanc ridge during a 3 day course
  • A Chamonix Mont Blanc Guides team on the summit of Mont Blanc as the sun rises
  • sunset on Mont blanc range
  • Arriving on top of Mont Blanc with the sun rise
  • Sunrise on aiguille nord de Tré la Tête from top of Mont Blanc
  • Aiguille du midi from Gouter hut

This 3 day climb Mont Blanc course is designed for people who have previous mountaineering experience (alpine grade F/PD), and are very fit (you need to be in good physical shape and practice sports regularly).

You must have previous alpine climbing experience (e.g. Grand Paradiso), or have climbed other peaks (with or without a mountain guide) in order to contemplate the 3 day Mont Blanc course.  It's also possible if you have previously attempted the Mont Blanc and have had to turn around prior to reaching the summit for reasons outside of your control.

We take the classic "Gouter" route, via the tramway to the Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest), from where we will climb up to the Tete Rousse refuge. The Mont Blanc summit bid will either be from here or the Gouter refuge.

Itinerary for the Mont Blanc 3 Day Course

The Night before, meet with your guide at the hotel Pointe Isabelle in Chamonix for a briefing and gear check.

Your guide will bring you your gear you have requested from us, or accompany you if you need to purchase or rent boots or any additional gear. Your night in the hotel, with breakfast, is included.

Day 1: Hike up to Tete Rousse glacier

Take the tramway up to the Nid d'Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) at 2300m, followed by a 3-4 hour hike up to the Tête Rousse glacier.
Dinner and night in the Tête Rousse hut (3167m).
Altitude covered: +700 m
Diner and night in Tete Rousse hut (3800m).

 

Day 2: Ascent of Mont Blanc, back down to the Gouter hut

The longest day of around 10 hours. A 5am start over the Tete Rousse glacier, to reach the famous Gouter couloir.

Rock scrambling will be required on the aiguille du Gouter until the Gouter hut where we can have a short rest.

We then climb the Dome de Gouter and continue up to the Vallot Hut. From here we arrive at the first technical steep slope on the Mont Blanc.

The second slope is easier technically, but we will need to be motivated to counteract the effects of the altitude and fatigue before climbing the final ridge to the Mont Blanc summit.

At the summit we give you enough time to look at the view over the Western Alps, take photos, catch our breath, and congratulate each other!

Please note the Gouter and Tete Rousse huts are interchangable, depending on when we are able to get reservations.

Altitude covered: + 1700 m / - 1000 m
Diner and night in Gouter hut (3800m).

Refuge Valot and Mont Blanc summit from the Dome du Gouter

 

Day 3: Descent of Mont Blanc

A relatively easy day with breakfast at 7am.

We then start our descent of the aiguille du Gouter; a straightforward descent having well rested the night before.

Brief stop at the Tete Rousse hut for a drink before heading down to the Nid d'aigle train. Cable car to les Houches and back to Chamonix for mid-afternoon.

Presentation of your Mont Blanc achievement certificate over a well deserved drink!

It is also possible to do a second attempt of the Mont Blanc if you have not managed to on day 2 due to weather conditions.  This involves a much earlier start (approx 2am) and you will be back in Chamonix late afternoon.

Altitude covered: - 1400 m

 

We strongly suggest you plan an extra day in Chamonix at the end in case we have to shift our summit day due to weather.

 

Cost of the Mont Blanc Climb in 3 days: 

There will be a 2:1 client to guide ratio for this course.
If you would like a 1:1 client to guide ratio (i.e. a private course) then the additional cost will be €980.  In this case you can choose your preferred dates (depending on refuge availability).

Cost includes:

  • Organisation of the trip
  • UIAGM certified high mountain guide
  • All accommodation (2 nights in mountain hut 1 night in hôtel "Pointe Isabelle")
  • All meals (except dinner in Chamonix the night before)
  • All transport within the Chamonix valley
  • Safety equipment provided by your guide (rope, ice screws, etc)
  • Tramway / cablecars

Cost does not include:

  • Transport to and from Chamonix before and after the course
  • Personal expenses (drinks in the refuges for you and your guide, additional snacks, etc)
  • Personal equipment and clothing (equipment can be hired from CMBG, please ask)
  • Single room supplement
  • Alpine climbing insurance
  • Gratuities

 

Mont Blanc 3 day course additional information

Clmbing experience

We will be climbing snow and ice up to 40 degrees. Basic rock climbing (grade II and III) in some sections.

The climb to the Goûter hut can be described as a rock scramble. Rock climbing experience is a real advantage.

It is obligatory to have previous moutaineering experience, including use of crampons and ice-axes, in order to choose the 3 day program.  If in doubt, choose our 5 days program!

If you don't have the required experience or fitness level, your guide will be obliged stop your course and you will not be refunded.

Fitness

There will be 6 to 8 hours of walking per day, 12 hours for Mont Blanc summit day, with vertical climbs of between 800 and 1700m.

Excellent fitness is therefore required. Please arrive fit; you cannot get in shape on the mountain!

Changes to the program

Options if bad weather is forecast on day 2:

  • Day 1: Tete Rousse hut
  • Day 2: Gouter hut ascent. Sleep in Gouter hut
  • Day 3: Mont Blanc ascent and descent to Tete rousse and Chamonix valley

Your guide will choose between these options:

  • Gran Paradiso (4060m) in Italy if there is a bad weather on Mont Blanc Range, with no refund (if you have not already previously climbed the Gran Paradiso)
  • Staying in Chamonix a few extra days while waiting for better weather. We highly recommend you to take an extra day in case of bad weather, to be able to move one day. This option is available only if we can get place in the refuges.  Extra expenses at Chamonix will be at your charge (hotel, meals, etc)
  • Cancel the course, and receive a credit towards your next attempt.

Your guide

  • High mountain guide (UIAGM qualified).
  • 1 guide between 2 clients 

Accommodation

In mountain refuges, and a 3 or 4* hotel in Chamonix (usually the Pointe Isabelle). If you require accommodation the night before or after your tour, just let us know.

There is no tap water in the refuges, so please budget for the purchase of bottled water.

For the Gouter and Tête Rousse refuges, due to intense demand the accommodation needs to be reserved in advance, usually by mid-April.

We may have to be flexible with regards to sleeping arrangement depending on when the booking is made (e.g. 2 nights at the Tete Rousse if the Gouter is full).

Meals

Half board (dinner and breakfast) provided in the refuges.

Hearty packed lunches are provided, which you carry.

You can bring your own extra snacks, e.g. energy bars, dried fruit and nuts. Don't bring anything heavy, or things which might squash, leak or spoil.

Vegetarian options available on request.

Documents

You will need to bring an identity card or passport.