Your host recommends bringing the following:

1. Ice axe* – for general mountaineering (between 50 and 70cm depending on your height)
2. Standard steel mountaineering Crampons*
3. Helmet – standard hard plastic climbing helmet*.
4. Climbing Harness* (adjustable so that it is comfortable over all your layers), with 2 screw gate carabiners.
5. Trekking Poles – Foldable
6. Mountaineering B2 or B3 Boots and Gaiters
7. Rucksack – Mountaineering specific 30-40L
8. Water bottles up to 2L
9. Sun protection including: sunglasses (category 4), goggles, sun hat, Factor 30-50 High Mountain sunscreen, lip salve/block.
10. 3 sets of socks and thermal tops.
11. Lightweight hardshell hooded top and bottoms
12. Warm hat and 2 pairs of gloves. One pair should be warm, thick mountaineering gloves. The second pair should be a thinner pair suitable for mid mountain conditions.
13. Insulating layers. We suggest a thin lightweight fleece and a synthetic or down jacket.
14. Mountaineering trousers
15. Personal first aid – blister kit, aspirin, or Paracetamol.
16. Head torch and spare batteries.
17. Earplugs
18. Sleeping bag silk liner (you don’t need a sleeping bag itself as blankets/duvets are provided in the huts)
19. Cash for extra drinks / snacks in huts as well as any costs not included in the course price
20. ID
21. Shorts, hiking shoes or trainers Nice to have to wear around town and on approaches to climbing days.

*These items can all rented locally but please do request this from your host in advance when you book. Prices are shown in the Optional Extras Section.

Yes. From when you arrive till when you depart you are allocated a room in the Chamonix chalet and this will not be occupied by anyone else during that period.

All of our guides are highly experienced and friendly people. They have all been hand picked over the many years we’ve been in the guiding industry. They are of various nationalities but all speak a good level of English and are very attentive. Their primary role is to get you to the summit and back safely, but they also provide a high level of customer service along the way and are very interesting people to spend time with. They like to share their knowledge of the mountains and their experiences, so don’t hesitate to ask questions and pick their brains. Lastly, they know the route on Mont Blanc like the back of their hands and this is the most important thing when it comes down to making key decisions in the mountains and providing the safest experience for our clients.

We climb with 4:1 climber:guide ratio on training days, 2:1 on summit days

• Transport to/from Chamonix (the start point)
• Technical Climbing Equipment (which you can rent)
• Travel insurance
• Meals as described

Alpine and prone to change – prepare for all weathers and dress in layers. Put it this way – it’s called the ‘white mountain’ for a reason. The climbing season runs from mid-June to late September and between those dates, there is no better or worse time to attempt the climb. The beginning and end of the season can be snowy/ cold, and the middle months can be busier and the hotter temperatures can cause afternoon storms.

Summit success varies from season to season but remains consistent throughout the different months. If the weather shuts us down, we will endeavour to find the closest mountain in the area with better weather, and thanks to our location we are generally able to find an equally beautiful alternative within driving distance in France, Italy or Switzerland.

Anyone with a good level of endurance fitness and a sense of adventure is welcome to come. You don’t need any previous experience either as training will be provided. However, you will need to be in good physical shape and have a good, can-do attitude! Determination is key.

You need to be able to hike comfortably with a heavy pack for up to 10 hours at a moderate pace. Mountaineering is all about having good cardiovascular endurance to be able to continue being active for long periods. As well as this you will need to have a good head for heights and good overall body balance and awareness.

If you want more training before the climb, there’s an option to add a 3-day Alpine Skills Short Break course to your trip, which you’d complete prior to your climb. However this is not essential.

Of course – there is space available for single travellers.

The food in the mountain huts is basic (3-course in the evening, hot drink and bread/jam/cereal for breakfast), but tasty. Vegetarians can be catered for but please let the hosts know in advance. Vegan and other dietary requirements can be catered for but it is very basic. We recommend people with such dietary requirements to bring some of their own snacks / bread etc to bulk out the meals. Whilst in Chamonix, breakfasts can cater for vegan / gluten free and dairy free.

You can buy tea, coffee, wine, beer, soft drinks, chocolate bars and snacks as well as warm lunches in the huts.

Meal inclusions are as follows: Day 1: Dinner not included Day 2: Breakfast & Dinner included. L - not included Day 3: Breakfast & Dinner included. L - not included Day 4: Breakfast included. L & D - not included Day 5: Breakfast & Dinner included. L - not included Day 6: Breakfast & Dinner included. L - not included Day 7: Breakfast. L & D - not included Day 8: Breakfast only.