Covid measures in Mont Blanc

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Mont Blanc, please refer to the Chamonix-Mont Blanc website. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get in this adventure: An experienced UIAGM/IFMGA high mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area Three or six days of alpine rock climbing All safety equipment What’s not included: Transportation to and from Chamonix Gondola return ticket Accommodation (huts and meals are usually 50 to 75 euros per day) Meals and snacks Accommodation prior and after the trip Guide’s expenses Personal expenses Trip insurance Personal climbing gear

How fit do I need to be?

With routes from medium to extreme difficulty to choose from, at a minimum this peak requires strong cramponing and ice axe skills, coupled with perseverance and determination to reach the summit. A typical schedule involves 3-days of climbing, and prior acclimatization climbs are highly recommended. Gran Paradiso, the highest peak in Italy, is a great option for this. In order to enjoy this adventure, you need to have excellent physical condition, knowledge of mountaineering techniques and previous alpine and rock climbing experience. Climbers should be comfortable on 40 degree snow and ice slopes and climbing on exposed ridges. There is a possibility of snow on the approach that may require ice axes and crampons, and exposed alpine rock. To ensure you have a fulfilling day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level. If you would like to take an acclimatization hike with a guide, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

What if I’ve never climbed before?

This alpine climbing adventure is best suited for intermediate to advanced mountaineers. Excellent physical condition, a knowledge of mountaineering techniques and previous alpine climbing experience ideal. Climbers should be comfortable on 40 degree snow and ice slopes and climbing on exposed ridges. There will be snow on the approach that will require ice axes and crampons, and exposed alpine terrain. Basic rock climbing (grade II and III) is expected in some sections, this is a route that you can successfully complete with the help of a guide. Let a guide plan the perfect day and focus on safety, so you can focus on having an amazing experience.

What about required equipment?

Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring: Technical equipment: Light rack Crevasse rescue kit — optional Harness Helmet Belay device (your typical multi-pitch personal kit) Chalk bag Hardshell Ice axe Trekking poles Rock shoes Headlamp Your guide will take care of all safety gear, crevasse rescue equipment, and ropes. For personal items, we recommend bringing: Fleece or wool hat Neck gaiter Hardshell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent) Lightweight wind shell Down or synthetic jacket with hood Long-sleeved base layer Gloves Long base layer pants (tights work well in the summer) Hardshell pants (Gore-Tex or equivalent) Softshell pants (wind-proof or wind-resistant) Leg gaiters (ankle to mid calf height works best in summer) Liner socks and wool socks Mountaineering boots that work with crampons (available for rent) Crampons (available for rent) Climbing shoes (available for rent) Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25L backpack for a one day trip) Sunglasses or a visor hat Water bottle or hydration pack Food you can eat on-the-go Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, blister kit, toilet paper, etc.) Sleeping bag liner Camera — optional

Can I rent equipment?

All mandatory gear will be provided by the guide if you don’t have your own. As for the personal items: Mountaineering boots and crampons can be rented from Vertical Frontiers Helmet, harness, ice axe and other equipment can be rented from your guide or Vertical Frontiers Backpack, sleeping bag liner, and gaiters can be rented from Vertical Frontiers Rental location is in Chamonix and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.

Group sizes and age requirements

For this adventure, the usual client to guide ratio is 1:1 or 2:1 and cost is per person. If you are older than 18, you’re good to go! If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

Geneva International Airport (GGV) is a one-hour drive from Chamonix. If you’re inexperienced with driving on mountain roads, consider hiring a driver. There’s also private or group transfers between Geneva Airport and Chamonix. If you’re traveling by train, the Chamonix Mont Blanc Station is located in the city center. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet.

Chamonix | France

Alpine Climbing the Mont Blanc Massif

Season

June to September

Nearest city

Geneva is a 1 hour away from Chamonix

Duration

3-6 days

Skill level

Intermediate to advanced

Guides

Jeff Witt, High Peaks Mountain Guides

From $1,800 / 3 days

Got any questions? or Book a call

Overview
Itinerary
Guides
Things to know
More info

For classic, world-renowned alpine climbs, Chamonix tops the list! The possibilities in the Alps are endless and the Mont Blanc massif area is synonymous with alpine climbing. Find yourself amongst a plethora of routes suited to seasoned climbers — the most common ones are via the Cosmiques Hut and Gouter Hut. After 10 to 12 hours of climbing, the climbers are rewarded with absolutely spectacular panoramas from the summit. Let your guide make this adventure less stressful by handling the logistics, while you focus on climbing and making memories. Cross over from France to Italy and enjoy the alpine atmosphere and natural environment that will take your breath away! Find out everything you need to know about climbing Mont Blanc from Mark Puleio, an IFMGA-licensed mountain guide, as he shares advice and tales from Mont Blanc over his 30-year climbing career!

Few locations can compare to the breathtaking Mont Blanc
The ultimate objective for mountaineers from all over the world
At 4,808 meters (15,774 ft), Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Western Europe

Choose itinerary

Meet your guides

5.00

Jeff Witt

AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide

Jeff is a professional mountain guide with more than 25 years of experience in the field and the founder of High Peak Adventures. He’s been everywhere and climbed it all — from the U.S. to the Himalayas, the Alps and more. He’s also based out of Chamon...

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5.00

High Peak Mountain Guides know the right guide can greatly improve your experience in the mountains. Their team of experienced and professional guides is committed to helping you make the most of your rock climbing and backcountry skiing in the Adirond...

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Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Mont Blanc, please refer to the Chamonix-Mont Blanc website.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get in this adventure:
- - An experienced UIAGM/IFMGA high mountain guide with extensive knowledge of the area
  - Three or six days of alpine rock climbing
  - All safety equipment
What’s not included:
- - Transportation to and from Chamonix
  - Gondola return ticket
  - Accommodation (huts and meals are usually 50 to 75 euros per day)
  - Meals and snacks
  - Accommodation prior and after the trip
  - Guide’s expenses
  - Personal expenses
  - Trip insurance
  - Personal climbing gear
With routes from medium to extreme difficulty to choose from, at a minimum this peak requires strong cramponing and ice axe skills, coupled with perseverance and determination to reach the summit. A typical schedule involves 3-days of climbing, and prior acclimatization climbs are highly recommended. Gran Paradiso, the highest peak in Italy, is a great option for this. In order to enjoy this adventure, you need to have excellent physical condition, knowledge of mountaineering techniques and previous alpine and rock climbing experience.

Climbers should be comfortable on 40 degree snow and ice slopes and climbing on exposed ridges. There is a possibility of snow on the approach that may require ice axes and crampons, and exposed alpine rock. To ensure you have a fulfilling day, your guide will choose routes that best suit your skill and fitness level.

If you would like to take an acclimatization hike with a guide, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
This alpine climbing adventure is best suited for intermediate to advanced mountaineers. Excellent physical condition, a knowledge of mountaineering techniques and previous alpine climbing experience ideal. Climbers should be comfortable on 40 degree snow and ice slopes and climbing on exposed ridges.

There will be snow on the approach that will require ice axes and crampons, and exposed alpine terrain. Basic rock climbing (grade II and III) is expected in some sections, this is a route that you can successfully complete with the help of a guide. Let a guide plan the perfect day and focus on safety, so you can focus on having an amazing experience.
Here’s a list of the equipment we suggest you bring:

Technical equipment:
- - Light rack
  - Crevasse rescue kit — optional
  - Harness
  - Helmet
  - Belay device (your typical multi-pitch personal kit)
  - Chalk bag
  - Hardshell
  - Ice axe
  - Trekking poles
  - Rock shoes
  - Headlamp
Your guide will take care of all safety gear, crevasse rescue equipment, and ropes.

For personal items, we recommend bringing:
- - Fleece or wool hat
  - Neck gaiter
  - Hardshell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
  - Lightweight wind shell
  - Down or synthetic jacket with hood
  - Long-sleeved base layer
  - Gloves
  - Long base layer pants (tights work well in the summer)
  - Hardshell pants (Gore-Tex or equivalent)
  - Softshell pants (wind-proof or wind-resistant)
  - Leg gaiters (ankle to mid calf height works best in summer)
  - Liner socks and wool socks
  - Mountaineering boots that work with crampons (available for rent)
  - Crampons (available for rent)
  - Climbing shoes (available for rent)
  - Daypack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25L backpack for a one day trip)
  - Sunglasses or a visor hat
  - Water bottle or hydration pack
  - Food you can eat on-the-go
  - Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, blister kit, toilet paper, etc.)
  - Sleeping bag liner
  - Camera — optional
All mandatory gear will be provided by the guide if you don’t have your own. As for the personal items:
- - Mountaineering boots and crampons can be rented from Vertical Frontiers
  - Helmet, harness, ice axe and other equipment can be rented from your guide or Vertical Frontiers
  - Backpack, sleeping bag liner, and gaiters can be rented from Vertical Frontiers
Rental location is in Chamonix and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
For this adventure, the usual client to guide ratio is 1:1 or 2:1 and cost is per person.

If you are older than 18, you’re good to go! If your group has climbers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Geneva International Airport (GGV) is a one-hour drive from Chamonix. If you’re inexperienced with driving on mountain roads, consider hiring a driver. There’s also private or group transfers between Geneva Airport and Chamonix. If you’re traveling by train, the Chamonix Mont Blanc Station is located in the city center.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet.

Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Book a call

Climb via Tête Rousse and Goûter Hut Route

After you meet your guides and check your equipment, head to your trailhead. Take a gondola ride to Bellevue and a short train ride to Nid D’Aigle (2,362 m / 7,750 ft). After a few hours of trekking on an easy trail and a short traverse across a little glaciated plateau, arrive at the Tête Rousse Hut (3,167 m / 10,400 ft) where you’ll re-organize your gear, acclimate to new heights, and relax for the day.
Your second “day” starts early — around 1 a.m. Head for the technical crux: the ascent to the Goûter Hut. This day is full of challenges, so after some short glacier travel, you’ll encounter the Grand Couloir — the most notorious and objectively dangerous part of the ascent. Scramble along a steep, rocky spur to reach the Goûter Hut (3,800 m / 12,500 ft) for a short break and follow the steep glacier with little difficulties to the Vallot Hut (4,300 m / 14,100 ft).

The rest of the route follows the Arête des Bosses and becomes steep and in places very narrow and exposed, with amazing views all the way down the valley to Chamonix. Finally, you arrive at the relatively flat and spacious summit at 4,808 m / 15,770 ft. Enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Western Alps, take photos, catch your breath, and enjoy the moment! Return to the Goûter Hut in the early afternoon — probably completely exhausted after being on your feet for about 12 hours at high altitude.
Today you’ll descend to the Tête Rousse Hut, and once you’re there, leave the technical difficulties and rockfall hazard behind you. You should be back at the Nid D’Aigle train station around noon, and be back in Chamonix in the early afternoon hours. Use the remainder of your day for a drink with your guide and finally relax from this once-in-a-lifetime experience!
This is a typical itinerary for summiting Mont Blanc via Tête Rousse and Goûter Hut Route. However, the itinerary can be customized in agreement with the guide. The itinerary may also change depending on weather conditions and other possible hazards.

In case the summit is not possible on Day Two due to weather, there is still the option to leave in the early morning hours from the Goûter Hut and try to reach the summit. This demands a faster pace as you pass the most exposed rockfall zone on the descent below the Goûter Hut before the sun hits the slope, increasing rockfall hazard.

Climb via Cosmiques Hut

After meeting with your guide, take a picturesque gondola ride to the Aiguille Du Midi. Here, you can take the elevator to the summit terrace to enjoy the views of the route to Mont Blanc. After a short descent followed by a scenic traverse, a short hour-long ascent takes you to the Cosmiques Hut (3,600 m / 11,800 ft). In the afternoon, use your free time for a short training session with your guide or just enjoy the views from the terrace to re-energize and adjust to the change in altitude.
The second day of your trip will be spent training and acclimatizing to the high altitudes. The goal for the day is to get you warmed up, and go over some technical skills without tiring you — you have to stay energized for the ascent the next day! After the training, return to the Cosmiques Hut for dinner and early bedtime.
Get ready for an early start at about 1 a.m., and get to the top between 7:30 and 8 a.m. The route follows a steep glacier trail to the Mont Blanc du Tacul. Prepare for a strenuous climbing segment at a 55-degree snow/ice pitch and reach the Col Maudit. This segment requires front-pointing technique on your crampons. After conquering that part of the trail, the route to the summit gets relatively easy! After you reach the top and take a few pictures for your album, begin with descending either via the Goûter Hut Route or back the same way, which gets you back to Chamonix usually between 4 and 6 p.m.
This is a typical itinerary for summiting Mont Blanc via Cosmiques Hut. However, the itinerary can be customized in agreement with the guide. The itinerary may also change depending on weather conditions and other possible hazards.