Why Climb Mont Blanc with Alpine Ascents?
Yes, 150%! It was a great experience, as always perfect organization, super strong guide, attention to every detail and personal touch based on my skills and preferences. Despite somewhat challenging weather conditions over the first three days, thanks to our guide we managed to navigate through our targeted peaks and make the most of it. -2019 Climber
Alpine Ascents has been running Mont Blanc climbing programs since 2010. Every year we get close to 80% of our climbers to the summit of Mont Blanc. This is a testament to the strength of our program and its associated logistics, guide staff, and flexibility.
Key Elements of our climb and success:
- Our Guides: On our Alps programs, all of our guides are certified by the American Mountain Guide Association in skiing, rock climbing, and alpine climbing. Our guides will keep you safe while also ensuring that your trip is enjoyable and educational.
- Alps Director: We are fortunate to have Jonathon Spitzer as the director for our Alps programs. Jonathon has spent the past seven summers in Chamonix, so his knowledge of the terrain and logistics is quite comprehensive. We are lucky to have him, a local American guide, organizing all of our logistics to make these expeditions operate smoothly. Jonathon also guides many of our Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, and Eiger trips.
- Climber to Guide Ratio: Our low ratio of 2 climbers to 1 guide on the summit portion of the Mont Blanc increases safety and success.
- Flexible Itinerary: We have the opportunity to attempt the Mont Blanc on two different days during the summit portion. In addition, the Alps is a compact mountain range and modern transportation allows us to move our itinerary and location if conditions are not safe for our summit attempt.
- Route Flexibility: There are two common routes to ascend Mont Blanc: Gouter route and Trios Monte route. Our goal is to climb the Gouter route. However, in the past, teams have summited via the Trios Monte route when climbing on Gouter side of the mountain has become dangerous due to rockfall.
- Mountain huts: Leave the large pack at home! These cozy and modern mountain huts provide bedding, comforters, and satisfying meals. You will find yourself enjoying the Tarte d’Jour and surreal views from the decks of these mountain huts.
- Training Opportunities: The first climbing day is spent learning technical skills and applying them to a mountain scramble traverse. The following three days, climbers will make an ascent on the Gran Paradiso. The skills used on Gran Paradiso and the first day of the trip give climbers the necessary mountaineering skills to safely climb Mont Blanc.
- Acclimatizing Program: On the 9 Day program, climbers will spend two nights above 9,000 ft. and make an ascent of Gran Paradiso (4,061 m/13,323 ft.), which is the highest peak in Italy. This program provides climbers ample amount of time to acclimatize properly.
- Cybercast: All our Mont Blanc climbs will have a Cybercast (blog) page on the Alpine Ascents website, with either audio or text updates every few days, often with photos. Family, friends, and the public can follow the team on Mont Blanc expedition.
The guides were both able to perform in the leadership role and would transition from one to the other seamlessly. In fact together they made a great pair of leaders – keeping us motivated, encouraged and pushing our limits (always with safety as the paramount consideration).
