MONT BLANC ASCENT

8 days at GBP1,999 including flights
Tripcode: TWM

Countries Visited: France

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 7 reviews.

matthew guy

MONT BLANC ASCENT

Written August 2011
Superb trip, my first alpine peak. nothing compares! will have those memories forever, good training given, excellent accommodation and experienced good guides.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the summit... and realising your going to make it, and stand on there.
What did you think of your group leader?
The guides are emending in training and on the mountain, however they are completely trustworthy, experienced and very knowledgeable on the area
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get very fit, and also try and build up some outdoor experience, such as walking and scrambling, i did have some winter experience too which makes the trip a little easier and perhaps more enjoyable.
John Taylor

MONT BLANC ASCENT

Written July 2011
We had a great time, unfortunately the weather conspired against us whilst we were on Mont Blanc. But we were offered the chance to climb Grand Paradiso instead.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Summiting on Grand Paradiso, but on a broader front the whole alpine experience was very inspirational.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had several guides during the week, all of them were friendly and knowledgeable. There standard of English varied suffice to say there English was better than my French.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1, Take a down jacket! I know it says you don't need one in the trip instructions, but our guides said the temperature at the summit is regularly below -20 degrees Celsius . 2, Get fit prior to going, nothing could be worse than being told you can't go and having to sit it out in Chamonix which is dominated by Mont Blanc. 3, Don't assume food and drink at the accommodation is free. We were billed for our first lunch and coffee's with our main meals. Whilst it is clearly stated in the joining instructions what is, and what isn't included we were all under the impression we wouldn't be charged for these. It was only after the first evening meal that the honesty system was explained to us.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Don't go expecting to summit! Our guide continually reminded us to enjoy the moment which was sound advice. Whilst I appreciate this sounds a little negative there are so many factors that have to be taken into account not to mention safety, weather, fitness, and the condition of the mountain. Preparation is key. Make sure you put in the required amount of training before you go. Enjoy!
Graham Aitchison
MONT BLANC ASCENT

Written June 2011
The trip was a relative success, whilst due to the weather I didn’t get to climb Mont Blanc I still really enjoyed the trip. The people on the trip were great fun and friendly and made it all the more special. We did attempt to summit Gran Paradiso but at 4000m finally gave into the driving wind & snow, 61m short of the summit – so close yet so far. Despite the disappointment of not summiting, it was a good trip to learn how to use ice axes, crampons and climbing as a group. I would definitely go again and hopefully summit!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the refuge after descending from near the summit was wonderful. The relief of sitting down, playing cards with the group and realising that we all had just climbed almost to the top of a mountain in high winds and driving snow, fantastic. The shared experience will be a cherished memory.
Hot chocolate never tasted so good! Especially when watching the sun set over the alps, a truly magnificent sight to behold – they sky seemed to be on fire.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader/guide was well organised and knew his mountains, of which his achievements were somewhat understated! He always seemed to be calm, collected and relaxed, even when the weather turned against us. His great sense of humour and observational skills made sure that you were okay and having fun.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Good fitting boots are essential, as you need you feet to be in tip top condition. If they are not quite right then ask to change them or help to adjust them – they trip organisers are always willing to assist. Also sun cream and lip balm/protection, don’t forget them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Whilst we didn’t get to climb what we wanted we all still had a good time. The key was being flexible. You can’t beat Mother Nature – she will inevitably win. If you are prepared to try something different from what you are expecting you can still have a great time and pick up skills for your next attempt/mountain.
Tim Rollett

MONT BLANC ASCENT

Written June 2011
Gran Paradiso - what a view! Had a good time, but sadly one afternoon on poor weather meant that we were unable to do the ascent of Mont Blanc. We climbed Gran Paradiso instead.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Standing on the summit of Gran Paradiso looking at the view of the Alps and amazed at how far down it was!
What did you think of your group leader?
Our Group Leader was an experienced climber hired onto the trip. Although he was competent and safe, I was not sure that he really wanted us to reach Mont Blanc summit. The poor weather midweek meant we never found out for sure.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared to do Gran Paradiso instead! Don't go fully expecting to do Mont Blanc - but the brochure makes this clear anyway. Also, you must be extermely fit and used to walking for several hours on the go. I trained for ages to do this holiday by doing long distances and plenty of hills in the Lake District. Whilst I made it up and down Gran Paradiso OK, Mont Blanc would have been tougher. As the brochure says 'arrive fit'. If in doubt, do a different holiday. Also, you must must must have a good head for heights - the 150m descent down the cliff ladders onto the glacier on one of the training days was not for the feint hearted! However, it was also totally memorable and an amazing thing to do. It was a lot hotter than I thought, even above the snow line we didn't need to wear too many layers and it was only the final hour to the summit of Gran Paradiso that it got really cold. A sun hat, sun creme and good sunglasses were essential!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was a good holiday and I will be back to do Mont Blanc another time!
Nick Forwood

MONT BLANC ASCENT

Written October 2009
The trip was frankly the most challenging, but amazing thing I have ever done. I am still telling people about it, months after and the memory of doing it will stay with me for ever. The chalet in Cham was first rate, and the team there were really friendly.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
1). Knowing that within Europe you cannot get any higher
2). Knowing that not everyone makes it
3). I stuck with it all the way
What did you think of your group leader?
Phillipe was a great leader, he was professional in every way. He was a very good teacher in mountain skills in the short space, nevertheless I had every confidence in him to get me there and back in one piece.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get really fit. I spent three months of hard training and I still found it hard going.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
1). Take a pair of really comfortable boots
2). Some ear plugs
Mark Jones

Not Mont Blanc but Gran Paradiso instead

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Climbing and summiting Gran Paradiso (4061m) in the Italian Alps
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What did you think of your group leader?
Enrico was an enthusiastic and skilled guide
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be prepared for any weather and for long waits should the weather be poor. Take a lightweight book or a pack of cards for the long waits in the refuges!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Although disappointed at not getting to climb Mont Blanc because of the ammount of snow in July(!) the climb of Gran Paradiso was challenging and worth the climb for the view alone - the Mont Blanc range in one direction, Monte Rosa in another and the Matterhorn in another. After two long days of waiting out the weather in mountain refuges this paid back all the frustration.
Quentin Given

OK, we didn't actually climb Mt Blanc but...

Written September 2007
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Reaching the ridge of Gran Paradiso (bad weather prevented us climbing Mt Blanc) and seeing the entire French Alps and most of the Swiss Alps glistening in the sparkling air - and realising we didn't have much further to climb.
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What did you think of your group leader?
Humorous, supportive, fun, generally the right balance between understanding our pain and driving us on.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Take something with you to pass the time during long periods in the refuges. Travel Scrabble eg.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Alps are threatened by climate change. So don't be part of the problem, be part of the solution, and go by train. And to anywhere else in Europe and Morocco. I did.