Ascension du Mont Blanc par la voie du Gouter

Question 1

Are there any other special requirements such as permits/insurance/vaccines that we need to consider before the tour?

Answer

Yes, there are several special requirements that you need to consider before attempting the ascent of Mont Blanc on the classic route (staying overnight at Goûter/Tête Rousse refuge).

Here are some of them: please read them carefully before confirm the booking.

- Starting in 2019, a maximum of 214 people will be allowed to climb Mont Blanc via its Normal Route on a daily basis, following a decision by the town of Saint Gervais; it is therefore mandatory to show the hut booking confirmation to the authorities before starting the ascent. Peakshunter Mountain Guides will take care of the hut reservation for clients and Guides, to guarantee the attempt to summit: to give you this service, the payment confirmation have to be done in advance (even as a deposit of 25% of the total amount) and the submission of your personal information is essential and mandatory to finalize the refuge reservation. You have to share with your personal info: name, surname, place and date of birth, nationality, address, mail, mobile contact and a copy of ID card of passport. Giving this information, you authorize Peakshunter Mountain Guides to use them for the booking process and during all the steps of the tour (planning, reservation, logistic, contact with Guides and professionals involved in the tour).

- It is strongly recommended to have travel insurance that covers mountain activities, such as a specific insurance for rescue and research; if you need one, after your confirmation, we can recommend some solutions suitable for you.

- There are no specific vaccine requirements for climbing Mont Blanc, but it is always a good idea to check with your doctor or a travel clinic to make sure you are up to date on routine vaccinations. Also, there is no longer need to provide proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or negative test results.

- We kindly invite all non-EU citizens to inform themselves about specific permits to enter in France.

Question 2

What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?

Answer

The best time to attempt Mont Blanc ascent is between June and September.

Question 3

Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own? Is it possible to rent equipment, and if so, what would be the approximate cost of that?

Answer

The loan of the personal technical equipment is included in the tariff: the Guide provides it on the day of departure, after the starting briefing. The gear for rental includes: mountaineering helmet, mountaineering harness, straight-hand ice axe, crampons and trekking poles (only if you don’t have yours).

Question 4

How far in advance should I start training and what kind of training do you suggest?

Answer

To attempt the ascent of Mont Blanc you need a solid physical and technical preparation that is achieved by training consistently over many years. In particular, your endurance level should allow you to walk at a good pace for about 12 hours a day in order to respect the program timetable, that will be very severe due to safety reasons, in particular during the “Big Couloir” crossing. At the same time, given the limited time, we will not have a chance to focus on technique: you should already have a good background and be familiar with the high altitude, the severe conditions of temperatures during the first hours of climbing, without light and on very impegnative terrain, very steep to hike even with crampons on. This means that you have had recent mountaineering experiences in which to practice.

Question 5

Can I join a group?

Answer

No, due to guide-to-client ratio (1:2), we can only accept private requests for the ascent. If you are more than 2, you necessary requires to have more than 1 Guide.

Question 6

Will there be porters to help to carry group and personal equipment?

Answer

No porters are expected for this ascent. Each participant should bring the personal backpack and technical equipment, including thermos for tea/water and energy bars/dried fruit and energy food for the trip.

Question 7

What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?

Answer

The maximum number of clients per single Guide is two, thus giving a ratio of 1:2. This is the maximum number in order to ensure the safety during the trip and it is established by local regulations. Under any circumstances, we are not going to take more than 2 people for each guide.

Question 8

What happens in the event of bad weather?

Answer

On mountains, weather and conditions can change unexpectedly and very fast, especially in recent years, due to the climate changes: in general, forecast and conditions have to be appropriate to try the attempt, but the final decision regarding the ascent belongs to the Guide, who is responsible to evaluate the risks and the safety conditions for all the team. Safety is our priority, both for the Guides and for the customers: if weather is not good and the forecast is not favorable for the attempt, we prefer to plan an alternative ascent to nearby mountains with better conditions and better chances for a safe summit attempt.

Question 9

What kind of mountaineering experience do I need to join this tour?

Answer

Climbing Mont Blanc in 2 days is only something experienced mountain climbers should attempt. You should have several high altitude climbs under your belt, experience using ice ax and crampons, experience climbing in a roped-up scenario, prior mountaineering training, and be properly acclimatized for the climb. Even if you do have the relevant mountaineering experience, we still suggest that you do the Mont Blanc ascent in 3 days to increase your chances of summiting safely: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-climb/

Question 10

Am I ready to climb Mont Blanc if I have already succesfully climbed Kilimanjaro?

Answer

Kilimanjaro is a great trekking mountain that will give you an experience with altitude, but the climbing conditions are completely different and non-technical. Ultimately, summiting Kilimanjaro is not sufficient training to tackle Mont Blanc. If you have climbed Kilimanjaro and you would like to climb Mont Blanc, then the 6-day course that includes climbing Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc is the right one for you: https://www.explore-share.com/trip/mont-blanc-gran-paradiso-guided-ascent-week-tour/.

Question 11

I have no experience with mountaineering. Do you offer a program for beginners that allow them to learn the basics?

Answer

Yes. We recommend you to have a look at this 4-day guided tour - https://www.explore-share.com/trip/beginner-mountain-climbing-around-Mont-Blanc/ - which is organized for hikers wanting to

Question 12

What experience and how fit do I need to be to climb this mountain? Is this program suitable for children or older people?

Answer

Mont Blanc ascent could be planned only with experienced mountain climbers, customers with some 4.000meters ascents in the back or, al least, people with recent previous training on glacier with rope and crampons. If you want to try the attempt, you should have some high altitude climbs under your belt (over 3,500meters), solid confidence in using crampons on steep and mixed terrains, ability in climbing in a roped-up scenario, basic mountaineering training, and be properly acclimatized for the climb. Even if you have the relevant mountaineering experience, we strongly suggest to plan the Mont Blanc in 3 days, to increase the chances to the summit with no rusk, in safe and, most important, to reduce the risks of rocks falling on the way during ascent and descent. In the last years, the climate changes have been affected the glaciers areas, with big impacts to the safety conditions for the climbers and mountaineers on most part of the classic routes.

Question 13

How will accommodation and meals be handled on the mountain?

Answer

We take care for the reservation at the Goûter/Tête Rousse refuge, with accommodation in half board formula: this means that dinner and breakfast are included, but not the beverages/drinks or extra meals. For this reason, any other meals or beverages (water, beer, sparkling beverages, etc…) are not included and have to be covered by the customers directly on the spot and for Guide/Guides too.