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matchie

By matchie

12 March 2009 19:46

I'm doing the Mont Blanc highlights in July with Exodus. I only started walking last year - has anyone else done this and how hard is it?

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Trail magazine

By Trail magazine

“The best training for Mont Blanc is to go walking,” says Exodus’ Rob Dixon who has climbed Mont Blanc. “The mountain (in summer) is a trekking peak and does not involve any mountaineering skills so success depends on stamina and acclimatisation to the altitude. 

 “The acclimatisation is built into the trip offered by Exodus, so build up your stamina beforehand. Some people are only able to train by walking to work (ideally, carrying a rucksack) but others head off to the Lakes or Snowdonia to get some proper trekking under their belts and this is what Exodus would recommend.

 “The ascent day is a very long day so you should get used to 10 - 12 hours out in the hills. Walking on consecutive days is also helpful (try a bank holiday weekend) as the trip includes 6 days of walking. Apart from that, pray for good weather. More people fail due to poor weather on summit day than any other reason. Good luck!"

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How hard is Mont Blanc?

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Buffy

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Buffy says

Re: How hard is Mont Blanc?

Ok, I just looked up the trip, and it's not an actual accent of Mont Blanc, but the best parts of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Having walked a lot of the TDMB, I would say that it is not that hard. The trails are all very well marked and any tricky parts are equipped with ladders and handrails. The route takes in some of the most fantastic viewpoints in the Alps, so make sure to take plenty of photos!!! Altitude is very unlikely to be a problem, the highest point on the trail being 2665m. be sure to look out for the local wildlife, there are ibex, chamois, marmot, alpine chough and an abundance of wild flowers. Be sure to cover yourself with suncream, even when it doesn't feal that warm, the sun is very strong in July and that altitude inhances that. Don't forget lips, under chin and inside your nostrils!!!!

 

And make sure to have a Vin Chaud and slice of berry tart at the Lac Blanc Chalet!!!

04 July 2009 20:51

sheffieldpaul

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sheffieldpaul says

Re: How hard is Mont Blanc?

Hope I'm not too late, you should be heading off pretty soon.

Technically there are several routes up Mt Blanc that are not hard- what mountaineers call snow plods, the difficulties are objective danger- in the summer that's rock fall and serac fall, and that's minimised by not being in certain places as certain times of day- your guide will see to that and the problem of altitude.

Hopefully your trip will include some acclimatisation- one of the easiest things you can do whether its included in the trip or you can tag it on before it take a cable car to the top of the Aiguille De Midi early in the morning, pack a picnic, a book, sun cream and camera and spend the whole day up there enjoying the view and chilling out working on the high altitude sun tan and growing yourself some more red blood cells- the steps in the telepherique station will take it out of you at first and you learn to pace yourself. You can also watch the climbers heading out of the ice tunnel down to the glacier and watch climbers finish routes at the station. 

Then some easy peaks- presumably they'll be taking you on a glacier to learn some rope work and up the Aiguille de Tour or similar to get you used to it, that's all good stuff. Unfortunately there's no way of knowing how the altitude will affect you, its only got me when I've worn myself out so plenty of rest (the outdoor pool in Cham is legendary- but take you speedos, no shorts allowed) and being as fit as you can be never hurts, so run up some hills at home first.

Enjoy and good luck, the mountain dominates the valley but never looks the same once you've conquered it, almost like you've wiped a smug grin of its face and brought it down a peg.

25 June 2009 13:22

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