2010 - 7 - Tour du Mont Blanc Part 1

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Author: Ponteefex

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The first four days of my attempt to hike and camp around the classic route. Using ultralight gear with a pack weight of 5 and a half kilos with a days food included, I managed to hike the trail in just six days. This hike was part of a larger project in the summer of 2010 to hike the classic alpine trails. There are photos and more description of the tour here: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=192681&id=533046055&l=b29427e9c6 KIT rucksack - six moon designs starlite backpack: 850 shelter - six moon designs lunar solo tarptent: 765 sleeping bag - cumulus ultralight 200: 600 mat - thermarest prolite plus, small: 480 poncho tarp - integral designs poncho tarp: 260 8 titanium stakes: 65 cord: 80 insulating jacket Mont Bell Thermawrap Parker: 360 Change of socks: 50 pocketknife: 85 water purification tablets: negligible soap: 75 earplugs: 5 cut off toothbrush: 5 tooth paste: 25 spare battery for torch: negligible paracetomol: 10 deodorant: 40 torch: 10 spork: 10 2 lighters: 40 spare memory card for camera: 5 surgical tape: 30 silicon seam sealant: 25 disinfectant hand gel: 20 salt / pepper / spices: 20 2 spare camera batteries: 50 pen: 5 needles and thread: 20 mesh carry bag: 10 platypus waterbottle: 40 monocular: 65 camera: 250 maps and guides: 175 towel: 110 I wore a long sleeve Berghaus base layer and light zippable off Jack Wolfskin trekking trousers, a pair of Meindl mounatin boots, socks (of course) and carried my trekking poles (the lunar solo goes up wth trekking poles). That was it, making for a total base weight of about 4.75 kilograms, 5 and a half with food. Water is readily available in the tour with many sources from which you can often drink without purifying. Finally, there are SO many little huts, refuges and restaurants where you can get a snack that it makes sense to make use of them and keep you pack weight lower. It is also very pleasant to lunch at one of these places, especially if you are travelling alone.

Comments

great vid...thanks

Hi Gav, A compass is part of your safety kit, the most important in fact. If the weather deteriorates and your visibly is down to a few feet, it can be the difference between a happy walk or mountain rescue. Guide books are Guide books, they are never mean't to be a substitute for an OS map, compass and the ability to use. Also walking in mountain areas is completely different from coastal walks (Weather is far more unstable and access more difficult).

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.. I'm in the mountains again and have been for the last 5 weeks! As for camping, you can camp at most of the huts (just ask first), which is really convenient as you can take advantage of theire facilities and socialise. Also, you can overnite on the trail if you like, though it's best to exercise discretion with your choice of pitch and of course leave no trace...

So I guess you must be there now... I just spent five weeks in the mountains this summer... 2 in the Pyrenees and 3 in the French and Italian alps south of Mont Blanc... more videos to come! And please share some images of your tour when you get the chance.. would be interesting to see the route again.

Great video mate. What was the deal with camping? Can you put the tent up where you like around the huts? Is there a fee etc?

yes, I travelled alone, though I made some good friends and many acquaintances on the way. tracks were for the most part VERY clear. Didn´t feel vulnerable at al, its not that demanding a route and there are many refuges and fellow hikers on the route. I would definitely not go with a group as there are too many compromises to be made in terms of breaks, tempo, where to sleep etc. ... but that is just my style I guess... Are you thinking of doing it yourself?

Thanks... though I think this video is a bit rough and amateurish myself! I used a canon powershot A490, an 8GB card and carried 2 or 4 AAs at a time. I would like to get a solar charger that can charge both AAs and USB devices, though the only one I have seen so far is really expensive and only available in the US... (I live in Europe...)

ευχαριστώ!

No, I'm Scottish... I only speak in Greek to the camera when there are other people around.. otherwise I feel a bit foolish!

are you from greece?

@anederu Great. We're going to head there on Saturday or Sunday and take a chance if the forcast is still good. We'll at least have a nice hike past Glacier du Trient even if we don't get to pass through it if there's too much snow. Some of the videos make it look ultra steep while other make the slope up look quite unthreatening so thought it best to check with you first. I'll post some videos myself of the hike and send you the link if you interested. Cheers.

@Steve31000 I guess you should be OK with the route, provided you have settled weather, warm clothes and crampons... I can imagine that it will be very cold up there this time of year, and any additional wind would be unbearable unless well wrapped up; crampons would also be needed as I guess the upper slopes will be covered with crispy snow by now. Also, the beginning section requires you to up a boulder strewn valley for thirty minutes for so and it can be difficult to find the markers

I was wondering if you could tell me how dangerous and steep Fenetre D'Arpette is. I recently moved to the Alps and have been doing a lot of hiking and planning on doing this route this weekend from Col de la Forclaz to Lac Champex but wondering how much of a risk Fenetre D'Arpette is. I don't mind the streneous climb but don't want to put girlfriend or I at risk (she's an avid hiker as well). Great video and thanks in advance.

@MosquitoFood Nah, the locals are really welcoming... or as welcoming as the French can be I suppose ;-) I just didn't feel comfortable attracting attention to myself. Loads of Americans do the walk and I'm sure you would find yourself in good company.

Terrific job recording your journey. I’m perplexed why you were concerned about speaking English at certain points. Are the English not welcome there? I hope to go someday but only speak English so I’d be screwed. Well, I’m American, so it may be even worse. Again, great video.

@warrillow1 Like the title says, it was July last year, the beginning of the month actually. For me, the best time would be early summer as there is still a lot of snow around on the high passes which makes the walking a little more interesting. You also get the wildflowers blooming at around this time too and the weather seems to be more settled than high summer (less humidity and thunderstorms).

Algun dia.

one day.

@anederu Great to hear back from you. Looks like we'll be dreaming together. Always good to have something to look forward to.

@rowdybeaver33 Thanks for the big up! I'm currently mourning my return to work and dreaming of the next time I can get out there on the trail. Maybe Morocco or Peru? Nice to make contact with a kindered spirit...