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.
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.
What people said touring Ireland
Oisin Ryan
Mont Blanc & Gran Paradiso, 2009
Reaching the summit of Mont Blanc in 2009 was an amazing experience, especially as all 16 of us on the trip succeeded in getting there. This level of success among a group of novice mountaineers on Mont Blanc is almost unheard of. Ian was the primary reason we all made it, as he made sure everyone had the right training and equipment prior to departure. Nothing was left to chance. At the same time we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and there was great camaraderie among the group. Fantastic! Thanks Ian!
Simon Boland
Mont Blanc & Gran Paradiso, 2009
I have known Ian for years and heard about one of his Mt. Blanc climbs in work. Ian was an inspiration to me, being the youngest Irishman at the time to stand on the top of the world. I wanted to join him on one of his adventures and adventure it was. Our trip was climbing two 4,000m peaks in 6 days. We set out to climb Gran Paradiso and Mt. Blanc. The adventure in climbing was amazing, but the journey with the team was incredible. We are all still friends 4 years later. It was truly one of the best trips I have ever been on. What a rewarding, challenging and immense experience to have in my life. Ian was a great leader, friend and look forward to getting out on the hills with him again soon.
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