Mont Blanc Ascent plus basic mountaineering skills course

Any experienced adventurer contemplating a more active visit to Europe could not resist the proposal of climbing the highest peak in the Alps, Mt Blanc (4807m / 15,771 feet) at some stage of their lives. Whilst the range has attracted the attention of alpinists worldwide for its challenging routes for centuries, there are a myriad of options available to the novice climber and very fit trekker. This trip is designed to allow very fit people who have little or no experience in mountaineering to reach the summit of the famous Mont Blanc above Chamonix, France.

Acclimatization and basic technical training are part of the program for the first 3 days. This trip is designed with the beginner mountaineer in mind with the aim of the first days on the trip to learn the basics of travel on snow and ice to help prepare you for the tough climb ahead. You will also discover many aspects of the amazing Mont Blanc range. Days 5 & 6 are for the ascent of Mont Blanc itself.

BRIEF ITINERARY (contact us for detailed trip notes)

DAY 1 Join Chamonix

DAYS 2/4 Commence glacier instruction and basic mountaineering skills training on the many glaciers, passes and steep snowfields in the area, overnighting in mountain huts

DAY 5 Ascend to Gouter or Tete Rousse refuge: PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the season there are times when the Gouter hut is overbooked. Availability is controlled by the French Alpine Club and allocation of beds is on a random basis and released in mid April each year. Please note that booking in advance is highly recommended but still does not guarantee a bed in the Gouter Hut. If we are unable to secure beds in this hut we will use the Tete Rousse Refuge. The Tete Rousse is a larger, new hut which is located 700m below the Gouter Hut. Although this makes for a slightly longer summit day, a better nights sleep is likely at this lower altitude, as well as a wider variety of good quality food. Your World Expeditions reservations consultant or travel agent will advise with your final documents if the Gouter Hut is not available for your group.

DAY 6 Ascend Mont Blanc, return to Chamonix

DAY 7 Trip concludes

TOUR COST INCLUDES:

6 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 6 dinners

3 nights accommodation in a three star Chamonix hotel

3 nights accommodation in mountain huts

internal transport

high altitude mountain guide (ratio of 1 guide to 2-6 climbers from Days 2-4 and 1 guide to 2 climbers on Days 5 and 6)

all common climbing gear (ropes, carabiners etc)

telepherique and lift transfers

AM I SUITABLE FOR THIS TRIP?

A Challenging graded trip is more difficult than any other program we offer. Each of these expeditions has an ambitious objective or goal that necessitates cooperation, contribution and a positive spirit from every member for it to be successful and ultimately rewarding and enjoyable for all. Being personally very fit and healthy will allow you to cope with the rigours of the trip through all conditions right through to the finish, and being mentally ready to embrace the variety of experiences involved is equally important. We strongly encourage intending participants to talk and meet with us directly as early as possible to discuss your ideas and ensure you have

chosen the right trip for your level of experience and fitness.

FITNESS

For a challenging program physical fitness should be an ongoing thing, which should start from a base at around 4 to 6 months prior to departure and increase to build maximum endurance, stamina, flexibility and familiarity with the anticipated routine as much as possible by your trip commencement. Three to five hard sessions of 40 to 60 minutes of physical exercise per week such as running, hill walking, swimming, cycling or gym work will build excellent aerobic capacity and overall endurance and stamina which are so important in trekking and climbing at altitude. Overnight or multi day hillwalks ( on rough, loose and rocky terrain) should be incorporated in your training regime also, this develops skill and confidence on difficult terrain you will find on expedition. Rest and recovery, whilst at the same time steadily increasing your routine and incorporating variety, are just as important

parts of the process if you intend to maintain and enjoy the regime for any duration. (We hope that it will become a 'lifetime' thing.) With a solid training regime comes a more relaxed disposition, more energy and usually better walking and breathing technique, which ultimately leads to you having a great trip rather than some kind of survival experience. Likewise overnight camping bushwalks encourage you to become self-actualised and self-reliant, making the daily routine on trek, getting ready on time, keeping clean, helping out and so on, much easier and less stressful. Plan early with us and prepare yourself physically on a continuing basis right the way through, rather than putting it off for periods.

World Expeditions is one of the world’s leading adventure travel companies offering ground breaking itineraries on every continent. The company has been operating small group trekking and adventure travel holidays and vacations since 1975.

We are widely recognized for ground breaking Responsible Tourism initiatives. In particular, the award winning Community Project Travel Program helps to improve the living conditions of some of the world’s most remote communities. World Expeditions received a Highly Commended Award for the Best in a Mountain Environment category in the 2006 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards.

“World Expeditions is a global adventure travel company with over 30 years experience around the planet. Their Nepal trekking operation, run by Nepalis, is notable for its pioneering Porter Protection program that has set the industry benchmark which many companies are starting to follow. All porters are provided with generous insurance, all the protective clothing and footwear needed, all camping and cooking facilities, as well as food” First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, 2006

In 2008 we were awarded the inaugural ‘Leadership Award’ in the Responsible Travel and Tourism Forum (RTTF) in Toronto, Canada and in 2000 we were the proud recipients of the inaugural Australian National Travel Industry's Environmental Achievement award for our Responsible Travel Guidebook. This detailed guide to responsible & sustainable travel can be downloaded free from our website.

Today, with offices around the globe, we offer more than 500 stand alone itineraries; small group active adventures and expeditions, cycling and walking tours and cultural journeys. Each itinerary has several scheduled departure dates throughout the season.

Supported by some of the world's most experienced and respected adventurers, including mountaineers Peter Hillary and Simon Yates working with us as specialist guides, World Expeditions’ has helped shape the adventure travel industry standards since its inception almost four decades ago.

Our virtually all-inclusive, no hidden extras pricing policy combined with longer, creative itineraries and the use of quality ground services attracts people who have high expectations of their travel experiences.

World Expeditions is truly global company with offices in London, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth, as well as Auckland, Ottawa and Montreal. This means your trip will be an international mix of like minded travellers from across the world.