Mont Blanc Summit Climb

Our 3-day, hut-based trip is a spectacular way to summit Mont Blanc. Avoiding the hazards of the Grand Couloir, the Trois Monts Route puts the team in an amazing position on the highest peak in Western Europe!

See Inclusions Tab for Pricing

Overview
Itinerary
Prerequisites
Inclusions
Gear

We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:

  • Push Your Limits - Climb the highest peak in Western Europe, 4,808m Mont Blanc!
  • The Route - The Trois Monts Route is a bit more difficult than the standard route (The Gouter), but it avoids some of the major objective hazards of that route, notably rockfall in the Grand Couloir.
  • European Huts - No camping required!  We'll base from the Cosmiques hut to tackle this long alpine climb, eating a proper dinner and breakfast perpared by the hut cooks!
  • Summit Attempt - We'll wake early to attempt the summit.  The day will pose many challenges and boasts incredible views and spectacular climbing!
  • Descent - After taking a few moments on the summit, it’s time to descend. The easiest way down is to reverse the ascent, and this is often as time consuming as the ascent. Be ready for engaging down-climbing.

 


Day 0

Gear Check in Chamonix, France. Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring.

Day 1

We’ll get a casual start, making sure that we have all our necessary gear before we take the tram to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. From there, we’ll take a short hike to the Refuge des Cosmiques where we’ll prepare our gear, discuss the summit climb, eat a nice, hit dinner and get to bed early.


Day 2

A predawn start will set us up for success on our summit attempt. We’ll start with a hot breakfast from the hut, gear up and head out for the summit via the Trois Monts Route. We’ll traverse 4.5 miles, climbing over 4300’ to gain the summit of Mont Blanc as we pass Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. The terrain is engaging and the position on the mountain is spectacular! From our high point, we’ll descend back to Refuge des Cosmiques where we’ll be greeted with food and drinks.

Day 3

We’ll sleep in and descend back to town when the tram opens in the morning.

Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

  • Intermediate Alpine Climbing Experience - Including cramponing and ice axe techniques including self arrest practice, basic rope skills. You should feel comfortable on steep, firm slopes of 40 degrees or more.
  • Glacier Travel Experience - You should have experience on travelling on crevassed glaciers on a rope team.

  • Excellent fitness - Able to spend 12-16 continuous hours outside, moving uphill at over 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-2 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 12-15 miles, climbing 3,000-6,000 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with excellent fitness typically have a strenuous workout 4-6 days per week. Be ready for a difficult day in the mountains!

  • Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

Pricing

    This is a Private trip, either 2:1 client to guide ratio or 1:1 client to guide ratio.

  • $2050 2:1 per person for a group of 2
  • $2975 for a single climber

Here's what's included with your trip:

  • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
  • Tram round trip to Aiguille du Midi
  • 2 Nights Half Board at Refuge des Cosmiques (Dinner and Breakfast)
  • Ropes & Group Climbing Gear
  • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
Not Included
  • Bottled Water at Huts
  • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness, Locking Carabiner
  • Sleeping Bag Liner for Huts
  • Personal Climbing Gear and Layers
  • Guide Gratuities

Download the Mont Blanc 3-Day Gear List

Mountaineering Gear

  • Ice Axe
  • Crampons
  • Climbing Harness
  • 3x Action Locking Carabiner
Overnight Gear
  • Headlamp
  • Sleeping Bag Liner
Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Food- Your favorite snacks (to be eaten during the climb)

  • Know Before you go

    SKILL LEVELAdvanced
    ELEVATION3,500-4,808m
    LocationChamonix, France

    Price $500.00
    Private Programs
    Duration: 3 Days
    View Full Itinerary
    Private Programs

    Blackbird Mountain Guides offers both scheduled group programs and private programs.

    Private programs are simply above and beyond what Blackbird Mountain Guides currently has scheduled. Scheduled courses are not always less expensive. Before booking a trip with Blackbird Mountain Guides, clients are encouraged to review the differences between these types of programs, and to decide what works best for them.

    SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

    Scheduled Programs have fixed dates, itineraries, objectives, curriculum, and costs. They typically appeal to solo individuals or small groups or who are looking to share the cost of their program with a larger group. Correspondingly, scheduled programs are less expensive for smaller groups (1-2), and they provide the opportunity to meet others with similar interests. If you have a large group (3+), Scheduled programs will often be more expensive. They can fill up quickly, and scheduling flexibility is obviously limited.

    Scheduled programs will have advertised dates. All scheduled programs can be run as private programs with private dates/rates as well.

    PRIVATE PROGRAMS

    Private programs have scheduling freedom. They typically appeal to those who would like some flexibility in planning their own trip or course. In this regard, Itineraries and objectives can be tailored to suit current conditions as well as client goals. Private programs are normally less expensive for larger groups (3+). If you have a small group (1-2) private programs will be more expensive.

    Contact us
    Full Itinerary

    Coming Soon!

    We'll tackle the following objectives and skills:

    • Push Your Limits - Climb the highest peak in Western Europe, 4,808m Mont Blanc!
    • The Route - The Trois Monts Route is a bit more difficult than the standard route (The Gouter), but it avoids some of the major objective hazards of that route, notably rockfall in the Grand Couloir.
    • European Huts - No camping required!  We'll base from the Cosmiques hut to tackle this long alpine climb, eating a proper dinner and breakfast perpared by the hut cooks!
    • Summit Attempt - We'll wake early to attempt the summit.  The day will pose many challenges and boasts incredible views and spectacular climbing!
    • Descent - After taking a few moments on the summit, it’s time to descend. The easiest way down is to reverse the ascent, and this is often as time consuming as the ascent. Be ready for engaging down-climbing.

     


    Day 0

    Gear Check in Chamonix, France. Our guides will double check that you have all the right gear for the trip and help you minimize weight, decide on the perfect layers, and choose how much food and water to bring.

    Day 1

    We’ll get a casual start, making sure that we have all our necessary gear before we take the tram to the top of the Aiguille du Midi. From there, we’ll take a short hike to the Refuge des Cosmiques where we’ll prepare our gear, discuss the summit climb, eat a nice, hit dinner and get to bed early.


    Day 2

    A predawn start will set us up for success on our summit attempt. We’ll start with a hot breakfast from the hut, gear up and head out for the summit via the Trois Monts Route. We’ll traverse 4.5 miles, climbing over 4300’ to gain the summit of Mont Blanc as we pass Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit. The terrain is engaging and the position on the mountain is spectacular! From our high point, we’ll descend back to Refuge des Cosmiques where we’ll be greeted with food and drinks.

    Day 3

    We’ll sleep in and descend back to town when the tram opens in the morning.

    Here are the skills and fitness you'll need for your course:

    • Intermediate Alpine Climbing Experience - Including cramponing and ice axe techniques including self arrest practice, basic rope skills. You should feel comfortable on steep, firm slopes of 40 degrees or more.
    • Glacier Travel Experience - You should have experience on travelling on crevassed glaciers on a rope team.

    • Excellent fitness - Able to spend 12-16 continuous hours outside, moving uphill at over 1,000’ per hour for durations of 1-2 hours between breaks. Participants should be able to hike 12-15 miles, climbing 3,000-6,000 vertical feet throughout the course of the day. People with excellent fitness typically have a strenuous workout 4-6 days per week. Be ready for a difficult day in the mountains!

    • Mountaineering Gear - Come prepared with your own gear or rent from us
    Shop Recommended Gear OR Visit our Rentals Page

    Pricing

      This is a Private trip, either 2:1 client to guide ratio or 1:1 client to guide ratio.

    • $2050 2:1 per person for a group of 2
    • $2975 for a single climber

    Here's what's included with your trip:

    • Experienced AMGA Trained Guide
    • Tram round trip to Aiguille du Midi
    • 2 Nights Half Board at Refuge des Cosmiques (Dinner and Breakfast)
    • Ropes & Group Climbing Gear
    • Wag Bags - for human waste disposal in with compliance 'Leave No Trace' principles
    Not Included
    • Bottled Water at Huts
    • Ice Axe, Crampons, Climbing Harness, Locking Carabiner
    • Sleeping Bag Liner for Huts
    • Personal Climbing Gear and Layers
    • Guide Gratuities

    Download the Mont Blanc 3-Day Gear List

    Mountaineering Gear

    • Ice Axe
    • Crampons
    • Climbing Harness
    • 3x Action Locking Carabiner
    Overnight Gear
    • Headlamp
    • Sleeping Bag Liner
    Clothing & Accessories
  • Technical Outerwear (jacket, bibs/pants)
  • Multiple Midlayer Options
  • Gloves
  • Helmet
  • Beanie
  • Baseball Cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water Bottle / Hydration Pack (2L)
  • Food- Your favorite snacks (to be eaten during the climb)
  • Book Now
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    Select Climber to Guide Ratio:
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    “Taking this course with Zeb was the best decision! He was extremely friendly, relaxed and knowledgeable and answered all our questions with great patience.

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    Just took the "lift-assisted" Avalanche Rescue course, and it was a fantastic opportunity to act out more realistic rescue scenarios. It was a great refresher and learning experience. Our instructor Evan was knowledgeable and a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

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    Jenna, California

    Completed AIARE 1 w/ Blackbird. Instructors were very knowledgeable, experienced, patient, attentive, and down-to-earth in relating to clients across a wide spectrum of ability. Highly recommended. Great group of people!

    Got Questions?

    We’re here to help. Our FAQs or Gear Lists might have the information you’re seeking. But If you’re not finding the information you need, we’d be happy to help!