Climbers and mountaineers from all over the world come to Chamonix to climb the highest mountain in the Alps. Probably every mountaineer wishes to be able to write it in his tour book. Take on this adventure with the mountain guides of the Alpinschule Garmisch . As a preparatory tour, we meet in the Gran Paradiso National Park and climb another 4000 meter there. The wild and romantic Aosta Valley is also home to many ibexes, which were already protected by King Vittorio Emanuelle in the 19th century. In the Gran Paradiso National Park, the probability of seeing some of these graceful animals is one of the highest.
The price already includes the overnight stay in the huts including half board, as well as the train journey to the Aguille du Midi.
estimated course:
Day 1: We meet at Pont in the Gran Paradiso National Park. After a equipment check, we climb to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele. Here we spend the night at 2775m. (Ascent 770 m, walking time 2-3 hours)
Day 2: After a very early breakfast we ascent to our summit destination, the Gran Paradiso. We cross the long glacier and climb the last few meters to the summit. The summit is marked by a white statue of the Madonna. We descend the same way back to the hut and spend another night there. (Ascent 1300hm, descent 1300hm, walking time 8-9h)
Day 3: After a delightfull breakfast at the Rifugio Emanuelle, we descend back to Pont. Afterwards we drive to Chamonix. Here we can catch a first glimpse of the "Mer de Glace" which streams down from the Aiguille du Midi. The length of this huge glacier is 11 km and quickly reaches a width of 2 km. The afternoon train to the Aiguille du Midi is an experience in itself. The view of the gigantic glacier is breathtakingly beautiful. Once at the top we hike over the huge glacier to the Refuge des Cosmiques with great views. We spend the night at 3613m. (early descent 700hm, walking time 2h, ascent 100hm, descent 200hm, walking time 2h)
Day 4: We have breakfast very early and start well acclimatized in the dark at the foot of the north face of Mont Blanc du Tacul. We steadily gain height and follow the Col Maudit to Mont Maudit with 4465m. Then we briefly descent to the Col de la Brenva. From here we climb over the exposed firn slopes to the summit of Mont Blanc. After 1400 m and about 7-8 hours of walking we reach the summit of our dreams. The view from the highest peak in the Alps is tremendous. On closer inspection, the curvature of the globe can even be seen here. A unique spectacle at an altitude of almost 5000m. After a rest at the summit, we descend again along the ascent route to the Cosmique hut. A long day comes to an end after 12-14 hours. At the hut we can review the day and relax with delicious food. (Ascent 1400 m, descent 1400 m, walking time 12-14 hours)
Day 5: In the morning we can sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast. We hike back to the mountain station of the Aiguille du Midi and drive back into the valley. At a last stop together in Chamonix we reminisce about yesterday. We enjoy the feeling of standing on the roof of the Alps and now being able to include this mighty and important peak in our tour book.
Information about the tour:
duration: 5 days
meeting point: about noon in the Gran Paradiso National Park at the end of the Val Savarenche (side valley of the Aosta Valley)
base/hut: Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele, Refuge des Cosmiques
maximum number of participants per mountain guide: 2 participants
extra cost:
- cable cars: -
- accommodation/meals: drinks and meals not included of half-board
- train journeys: -
- other admissions: -
- own arrival
included services:
- organization and Guiding by a certified mountain guide
- 4x overnight stays including half board in mountain huts
- ascent and descent to the Aiguille du Midi
requirements for the participants:
- condition: for climbs up to 1400hm per day
- technique: walking with crampons, walking safely in firn slopes up to 40 °, climbing up to the 2nd level of difficulty UIAA scale
Necessary equipment: Complete glacier gear
country: Italy, France
