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The Tour of Mont Blanc 12 - 23 July 2004
day 1 : les Houches - les Contamines
The first day is a gentle beginning. Leaving Les Houches by the Bellevue cable car
via the col du Tricot, the chalets of Miage and Truc we pass opposite the splendid Domes de Miage in a setting of both snow covered mountains and green meadows. Night in a hotel.
ascent : + 600 m descent : - 1 050 m
day 2 : les Contamines - les Chapieux
Leaving Notre-Dame de la Gorge, the Col du Bonhomme (2329) allows us to leave the Montjoie valley and to cross into the Beaufortain area. The landscape changes and becomes mineral. Ibex and lagopedes (Artic-Alpine birds) hide in the hollows of old rock piles. After the col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2480), we descend into the Chapieux valley to spend the night in a charming inn. Beaufort cheese made in the local high mountain pastures can be tasted.
ascent : + 1 250 m descent : - 930 m
day 3 : les Chapieux - col Chécroui
After a short trip in the mini bus, we walk steadily up until we reach the Col de la Seigne (2516m) on the Italian border. We go down into the Veni valley and then up again to the balcon de l Arp Vieille before a splendid traverse with a fantastic panoramic view of the south face of the Mont Blanc and its nearby glaciers. At the Col Checroui (1950m), Giacommo and Luciana welcome us warmly to their refuge where they cook the best pasta ever and their decor is out of this world.
ascent : + 1 050 m descent : - 900 m
day 4 : col Chécroui - rifugio Bertone
We descend into the Aosta valley where we go on a little tour of the old village of Dolonne and then have some free time in Courmayeur before walking up the Sapin valley to the Bertone refuge (2000m). The place is exceptional and a great place to view all the surrounding mountains.
ascent : + 800 m descent : - 750 m
day 5 : rifugio Bertone - rifugio Bonatti
Walking parallel to the Mont Blanc Range it is the Pas entre deux Sauts, a small and wild col that leads us to the Bonatti refuge (2040m). It is a "4 stars" refuge, which is new and beautiful, and it's a real pleasure to arrive there.
ascent : + 660 m descent : - 600 m
day 6 : rifugio Bonatti - la Fouly
Early risers will love the sunrise over the Mont Blanc. The path starts in the high mountain pastures of Gioe towards Arnouva and we ascend to the col Ferret (2540m). As the landscape changes we pass into the Valaisianne Alps and descend the col ferret in Switzerland to arrive at the pretty village of Fouly. Night in a hotel.
ascent : + 770 m descent : - 1 200 m
day 7 : la Fouly - Champex
After the high glacial summits of the Mont Banc range, the gentle mountain pastures typical of Switzerland will charm you. Walking through forests and old village dwellings we arrive at Champex, a village built on the side of a lake. Night in a gite.
ascent : + 450 m descent : - 650 m
day 8 : Champex - Trient
There are 2 options available to the group, depending on the weather and the physical fitness of the group :
- The first is to walk back up the Arpette Valley to reach an area of sparse vegetation and rocks, traversing La Fenetre d Arpette (2671) to the highest point of the trip, where we topple into the Trient Valley facing its superb and often photographed glacier.
ascent : + 915 m descent : - 1 370 m
- Alternatively it is easier and shorter to cross the Bovine countryside and no less beautiful to reach Trient by a route dominated by the Rhone Valley. We will be followed by the sound of cow bells as we encounter the Herens cow crossing these fields.
ascent : + 720 m descent : - 975 m
day 9 : Trient - Tré-le-Champ
We return to France by going up the Col du Balme (2190) and traversing whilst opposite the Mont Blanc where we get a superb view from this angle. We walk down to Tre-le-champs amongst the flowers and stay in a pleasant gite.
ascent : + 890 m descent : - 770 m
day 10 : Tré-le-Champ - refuge du lac Blanc
The Lac Blanc is a well-known and beautiful place, especially in the evening, when as the sunsets the day-trippers return to the Valley. It is my own bet that I can take you to the Lac Blanc without meeting a living soul apart from the usual mountain wildlife such as the marmots, chamois and ibex. It is amongst this mixture of mountain activity that we veer off the beaten paths between rhododendrons, junipers and piles of fallen rocks to emerge above the Lac Blanc (2350m). The refuge is built beside the lake and becomes magical in the evening when it is calm and secluded.
ascent : + 1 000 m descent : - 100 m
day 11 : refuge du lac Blanc - refuge de Bellachat
A day walking along the mountain paths overlooking Chamonix, which permit us to see the prestigious summits of the Mont Blanc Range and the impressive glaciers. Our paths cross some lakes, Le lac Cornu and les Lacs Noir found amongst mineral areas.
After the panoramic summit of Brevent (2525m) it is a short walk down to the refuge (2130m). The end of Chamonix Valley feels close but it feels good to be at altitude able to look at life on the valley floor ...
ascent : + 700 m descent : - 800 m
day 12 : refuge de Bellachat - les Houches
A short trip takes us to the Aiguillette des Houches (2285m) and from then it is a long walk down into les Houches. The walk past the Pierre Blanche across the high mountain pastures of Chailloux to the agreeable coolness of the woods works up a thirst.
A long drink at a nearby bar, some tears and then the time has come to separate amidst promises to meet again soon !
ascent : + 300 m descent : - 1 500 m
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fitness level / difficultly :
This walk doesn't present any real technical difficulties. Some stages are long with 6 to 7 hours of walking but others are short and allow you to recuperate. Good physical condition is required and will make it easy to avoid experiencing any pain or fatigue.
you carry
Your luggage for the trip. The refuges make your picnic lunch everyday.
rendezvous - meeting place :
Leave Monday 8.30am (meeting possible at 18.00h the day before).
Return Friday 3pm.
number of people :
5 - 12 people
other dates possible :
From the first week in July to mid-September.
cost : 875 €
included :
- your Guide.
- half board in refuge gite or hotel (12 days, 11 nights).
- and a cold picnic lunch.
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