Climbing Mont Blanc in 3 days from the Italian side
Join one of the IFMGA-certified guides in the Peakshunter team on this 3-day trip up to Mont Blanc summit. A program suitable for experienced mountaineers.
Not specified
Alps
3 Days
Jun, Jul
Extremely Fit
Intermediate
Description
Today I’d like to invite you to reach the Mont Blanc via its Italian side. Due to the difficulties, it represents a very technical and very demanding challenge, reserved only to intermediate and expert mountaineers.
The ascent requires solid preparation and consolidated skills in hiking and great confidence in using crampons on steep.
This legendary route recalls the charm of the epic ascents, since it was walked by the first climbers in reaching the summit.
The normal Italian ascent itinerary is also known as La route des Aiguilles Grises or Pope Route. It is one of the most challenging ways to get to Mont Blanc, the main star in Europe.
I have planned this program only for people with some mountaineering background, such as using a rope, ice axe, and hiking with crampons (on all different kinds of terrains, with snow, ice or rock). In addition, you will need to be very fit. Take into account that climbing Mont Blanc from the Italian side is the hardest ascent option and you need to be properly acclimatized. Along the way, we must face an altitude change of 1800 meters as well as sharp ridges and glacier terrains. That is why a training test will be required for a better acclimatization and correct training with the Guide.
The normal Italian route also leads us across uncrowded trails because it is a seldom-attempted itinerary. The southern side of Mont Blanc is the wildest and most demanding route to reach the top of the mountain. However, the reward is not comparable to anything on earth.
The best months to enjoy this expedition is from June to the middle of July. In fact, this route has usually been accessible only in the first part of the summer when there is still enough snow coverage in the lower sections. I will take only 1 person with me in order to provide you a personalized and safe experience.
At the bottom of this description, you can find a sample itinerary of the trip. Please keep in mind that the program can suffer modifications according to the snow and weather conditions.
Please note that Mont Blanc is not suitable for beginners. Previous acclimatization and previous mountaineering experience are necessarily required.
So, if you want to join me in this 3-day adventure, do not hesitate and get in touch with me. Let’s reach the Mont Blanc summit through the Italian side, its most demanding and incredible route!
Price includes
- Guiding fee
- Accommodation included
- Mountain guide expenses
- Breakfast
- Dinner
Price details
Included:
Renting personal equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons, and helmet) costs €90 per person while supplies last.
Not included:
Extra meals and beverages (for the guide and the client).
Itinerary
Day 1: Courmayeur - Gonella Hut
We will meet at the Skyway Mont Blanc cable car parking area. We will go to Val Veny by car (we leave one car at the parking lot). We recommend hiring a car and staying overnight in the area the day before the ascent (Courmayeur or Aosta).
We’ll start at the bottom of the Veny Valley where we’ll walk on a paved road until Combal Lake. From there we’ll climb the steep moraine towards the Miage basin. We’ll walk for about 2:30 hours on the glacier’s moraine. During the final stretch, we must face snow and ice terrain. The last part of the ascent, which takes place on a rocky equipped path (like a short via Ferrata), will take us to the Gonella Hut (3,050 m), where we’ll have dinner and sleep.
Drop: +1,400 m
Ascent time: 4-5 hours
Day 2: Summit Day
We’ll leave the hut by 1 am in order to attack the glacier. The extremely wild landscape stretches until the plateau under the Col de Bionnassay, which we’ll traverse towards the Col des Aiguille Grises.
From there, we’ll ascend the sharp and spectacular ridge with narrow stretches giving way to the wide slopes that take us to the summit of the Piton des Italiens. This is the most technical and demanding part of the route and we have to climb it in a very severe timetable, if we want to have enough time for the summit. Without further difficulties, we’ll reach the peak of the Dôme du Goûter, where our route joins the French Goûter route. From here we’ll pass by the Vallot Hut (4,362 m) and finally, along the amazing Arête des Bosses, we’ll reach the summit of Mont Blanc.
We’ll return down by the same route although it is often convenient to head to Goûter Hut and then to Les Houches, where you can catch the shuttle back to Courmayeur. In case of late time during the ascent or unsafe conditions on the way down, the descent could be done on the French side, and we may have extra costs for lifts, refuge, and transfer back to Val Veny.
In case of overnight staying on the French side, we have to add also the costs for the Guide assistance (1 extra day) and the accommodation fee for everyone.
Drop: +1,800 m
Ascent/descent time: 12-15 hours
Details
Accommodation Gonella Hut |
More info
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Meeting point Courmayeur (Veny Valley) |
About the guide
Giving and receiving smiles, seeing the satisfaction on the faces of our customers, seeking opportunities for growth, stimulating authenticity in personal and group relationships, in sharing mountaineering disciplines, fears, efforts, and moments of difficulty, which are part of the integrated with experiences, essential ingredients of every summit climb: these are our focus, our beliefs, and our most important results, as outdoor Professionals and as people who love the mountains and their work as Alpine Guides!
Founded in 2013 by Elis and Silvia, PEAKSHUNTER Mountain Guides is a team of IFMGA-certified Mountain Professionals and outdoor activities experts, based in the town of Aosta, not far from Courmayeur-Chamonix, on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif.
We live and work in the beautiful Aosta Valley region, very close to French and Swiss borders near to Geneva, Milan, and Turin international airports.
Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Dufourspitze, Pyramide Vincent and Regina Margherita Hut, Gran Paradiso, Breithorn, Lyskamm, Castor and Pollux are only a few of several 4000 Alps summits you can climb with us: most of our team of Guides were born and grew up close to these mountains and they have explored the ascent routes several times during different seasons, with skis or crampons!
- We love our work: we plan all our trips with great commitment and deep respect for the Alpine environment, for its inhabitants, and its territories. Including local traditions in different valleys and Alpine areas.
- We love Mountain, Nature, and Outdoor activities, that we like to share with people from all around the world. We are enthusiastic to meet like-minded adventurers and share new experiences and memorable emotions with the support of our Mountain Guides.
- Safety and Risk Management are essential for us, as elements of fundamental importance during every single trip we plan and carry out with our customers: for this reason, we offer introductory courses to the different alpine disciplines (Mountaineering, Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Ski mountaineering, Freeride, Rescue Crevasse, and Avalanche) to convey awareness and responsibility to our customers.
- We offer solid Experience, with several years organizing outdoor disciplines around mountain and wild areas, in many different countries of Italy and Europe, for individuals or groups, including 7-day customer support for booking, logistics, and personal assistance for planning and reservations.
- As certified Mountain Guides, we offer training courses, to improve technical skills and to learn basic knowledge about mountaineering in the Alps, which is essential to explore and climb the Mountains safely in any situation or conditions.
- We are happy to provide customized programs for every customer's demand: our Experience is synonymous with Professionalism and Customer Care to guarantee unforgettable emotions and beautiful smiles!
Fulfill your dreams, discover breathtaking views or simply enjoy an extraordinary day: you just need to use your imagination and we will carry out your trip as you desire to live it!
Let’s plan your next mountain project together!
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