Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso
After we leave Italy, we head back to France and spend the rest of the day relaxing before our attempt at climbing Mont Blanc. Excellent physical preparation is required for both these climbs. It is also worth having a strong climbing partner with you on this trip. The trip starts from $4,150.
Daily Distances
Day 1
Today we will arrive in Chamonix, France for the start of our journey through the European Alps. Your Guide will meet you before dinner to brief you on the itinerary for the week ahead.
Day 2
The guides will pick us up early in the morning and transport us across the border into Italy. All of our equipment will be checked, we will have a bit to eat and start the trek through the Gran Paradiso National Park’s forest and trails up towards the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele Hut at 2,732m (8,963ft). In the afternoon, we will head out on the glacier and do some training on rope work, glacier movement and learning some essential mountaineering skills.
Day 3
We will set off early for the Summit of Gran Paradiso (4,061m/13,323ft), this is 1,300m (4,265ft) summit attempt, with beautiful views and unique challenges along the way. Once we get to the top of Italy, we will return to the hut before heading back to the valley and return to Chamonix or Argentiere.
Day 4
Today we will get an early start up the breathtaking Aiguille du Midi Cable car. From here we will traverse the spectacular glaciers of the valley Blanche. This gives us a valuable opportunity to get used to walking roped up and with Crampons, not to mention the altitude. You will spend the night across the valley in Italy at the Torino Hut (3375m/11,073ft).
Day 5
Today we will climb the Aiguille des Entreves traverse (3604m/11,824ft). This traverse offers a fun route on exposed rock, never extreme but always interesting. The views of the Tour Ronde, the south side of Mont Blanc du Tacul and the Brenva face on Mont Blanc are exceptional. We will descend back down to the glacier from the summit and make our way back to the Aiguille du Midi and back to Chalet for the night.
Day 6
We will have the morning to get the last bits and pieces you may need for your ultimate summit day. Then before the morning is out we will make our way by cable car and tram to the Nid d’Aigle at 2380m(7,808ft). From here we will make our way up to the Gouter Hut (3800m/12,467ft) for the night. Getting there involves a fairly strenuous hike and scramble.
Day 7
Today we will start at around 3 am. The summit day involves a vertical gain of 991 meters (3,251ft) on spectacular glaciated terrain, ending with some of the most beautiful views in the World. Our descent is by the same route with almost 2,500m down to the Nid D’Aigle railway station. We will not be back at the chalet before later afternoon.
Day 8
We will have our last breakfast at the Chalet before our departure home. Please note that this itinerary is an example of a Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc week. Itineraries are variable and subject to change due to conditions, hut availability, the weather and the group. The Client to guide ratio for the training and acclimatization days on this itinerary is 4:1, and for the summit days it is 2:1.
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