Mont Blanc by the Italian Aiguilles Grises
Itinerary
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Days 1 to 2 Technical revisions and acclimatization
Rendez-vous on Monday morning in Chamonix. During two days you will leave in altitude to acclimatize your body and do the technical revisions required to do La Voie du Pape.
Accommodation : Refuge & lodge
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Day 3 Gonella Refuge (3071m)
After a short bus transfer to arrive at the end of the Val Venu, we take the road leading us to the Combal Lake, formed above the Miage glacier's moraine which closed the valley. During a few hours we follow this moraine before attending to the glacier, partly coated with rocky blocks. At an altitude of 2500m, under the Aiguilles grises, at the level of the junction between the Miage glacier and the Dôme glacier, we branch towards a small path equipped with cables which will lead us to the Gonella refuge.
Positive difference in altitude : around 1400m | Altitude Max : 3071m | Accommodation : Refuge Gonella
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Day 4 Mont Blanc Ascent (4810 m)
A path sometimes chapped will lead us to the Aiguilles Grises pass at 3850m and then to the Piton des Italiens at 4002m. We follow the snowy ridge from the Bionnassay pass to join the Col du Dôme (technical passage due to the narrowness). From the Col du Dôme, climb up towards the Vallot refuge. The Mont Blanc ascent will finish of by the Bosses edge, the normal way for Mont Blanc. We climb back down to the Tête Rousse or Nid D'Aigle Refuge, depending on availabilities.
Positive difference in altitude : 1735m | Negative difference in altitude : 1500 à 2000m | Accommodation : Refuge
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Day 5 Return to Chamonix
From the refuge, we descend to the Nid D'Aigle to take the Mont Blanc Tramway followed by the Bellevue cable car, and here we are, back in the valley.
Negative difference in altitude : 700 m
Dates & prices
International departures:
No departure for now
Trip code: AMBAG
Included
- The technical organisation of the trip
- A high mountain guide's supervision : 1 guide for the group during training and 1 guide for 2 people during the ascent
- Cable cars and movements necessary to the normal progress of the program
- Accommodation in refuges, half-board
- Lunch picnics
- Bus in the Val Veny
Not included
- Individual transportation assured by your personal vehicle
- Individual technical equipment
- Registration fees
- Drinks & personal expenses
- Snacks (cereal bars, dried fruits, chocolate bars, etc.) according to your own convenience
- Insurance : cancellation, research and rescue by helicopter in high mountain (in France, Italy and Switzerland) hospitalization and repatriation
- Everything that isn't mentioned in the "included" section
International flights
Terms and conditions
Subscription
Invoice procedure
Cancellation policy
- More than 30 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of 50€
- From 30 to 21 days before departure, you will be charged for the amount of the deposit (30% of the trip’s price)
- From 20 to 14 days before departure, you will be charged for 50% of the trip’s price
- From 13 to 7 days before departure, you will be charged for 75% of the trip’s priceLess than 7 days before departure, you will be charged for the whole trip’s price
- Airline fixed costs: plane tickets are bought in advance to avoid too high airline prices, however they are non refundable in case of cancellation or plan changes. In that case, the charges above apply to the price of your trip without the plane ticket’s price
- Ground fixed costs: you will be charged for the fees that were paid early
- Insurance fees: Insurance fees will not be refunded if you have subscribed to a multi-risk or cancellation insurance. The specific conditions will be written on your subscription confirmationIf you have no choice but to cancel your trip before departure, you must inform Montagne Expeditions and your insurance provider with a written statement as soon as possible, you will get a receipt.
Changes to travel contract
Pricing
Contract transfer
Insurance
Practical info
Staff
Food
- Lunch picnics
- Diners : meals prepared by shelter keepers
- Take some race food according to your own tastes (cereals bars, chocolate bars, dry fruits,…).
- Water is not for free in refuges (from 5 to 8 euros one bottle). We advise you to bring some water purification tablets (Aquatabs or Micropur) in order to drink tap water.
- Personal drinks are not included in the trip's price
- Bring cash for coffees, fruit juices, coke or beers during breaks… Shelters usually don’t accept bank card payments and Euros.
Accommodation
- Every refuges of this itinerary are comfortable and warm. Dormitories are equipped with blankets for the night (plan to bring your personal bed sheet for hygiene reasons).
- Slippers are at your disposal : no need to bring trainers.
- We advise you to bring protection against noise (ear plugs).
- A few electrical plugs are available in refuges, but plan to bring an external battery to charge your camera and switch off your phone during the day.
Budget & exchange
Tips
Supplied equipment
- Collective equipment (ropes)
- Slippers and blankets while in refuges
Vital equipment
- High Mountain shoes with rigid soles and that fit crampons
- Mountaineering backpack (40/50L) with straps for ice axe, helmet and crampons
- Ice axe, crampons, harness, helmet (keep in mind that carabiners cannot be rented)
- 1.5L water bottle or thermos
- 1 bed sheet
- Survival blanket
- 1 headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
- Pocket knife
- 1 pair of gaiters
- A small toiletry bag (strict minimum)
- Sunscreen (face and lips)
- A bag protector in case of rain (non mandatory)
Material
- Bonnet
- Hat or cap
- Glacier sunglasses (category 4) + ski goggles
- 1 balaclava or warm scarf to put around your neck
- 1 pair of warm gloves or mitains
- 1 pair of fleece gloves
- 1 pair of under gloves
- 2 or 3 technical underwear long sleeve shirts
- 1 fleece underwear long sleeve shirt
- 1 windstopper, breathable and waterproof jacket type Goretex
- 1 very warm fleece jacket
- 1 pair of comfortable mountain trousers
- 1 pair of technical breathable tights
- 2 pairs of socks : 2 thick and 3 thin
Luggage
Medicine
- Personal medicine
- Pain reliever (preferably paracetamol)
- Double skin
- Elastoplast
- Local disinfectant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-diarrheal
- Anti-vomiting
- Intestinal antiseptic
- Eyewash
- Light sleeping pills
- Earplugs
- Broad spectrum antibiotic
- Vitamins C
Passport
Visa
- Up to 90 days visit in France : citizens from most countries do not need a visa to visit France.
- Over 90 days visit in France : non-EU or non-EFTA citizens must have a visa to visit France over 90 days.
Identity card
Mandatory vaccines
Health information & recommendations
Weather
Electricity
Local time
Sustainable tourism
- Most of our accommodations are run by locals, thus ensuring that the largest part of the revenue generated through your trip will stay within the region.
- France is known for its exquisite cuisine. The art of cooking and the joy of eating are part of everyday life. Each region has its particular foods and flavors which we would like you to explore and appreciate.
- Water is a precious and rare good. Our team and those travelling with us are thus advised to use it with consideration and avoid excessive water use where possible.
- Please try to recycle your waste whenever possible, even though recycling may not be a well-known concept in all areas.
- Be cautious and respectful when hiking. Make sure to wear suitable footwear and avoid picking flowers, moving stones or lighting fires.