Great text and pictures!
Chamonix/Mont Blanc Massif is paradise for climbers interested in mixed climbing. You could go back there each year, and never do the same peak/route twice. I've been there a couple of times (easy to reach from my native Belgium), and will often go back many more times for sure. I may never even summit Mont Blanc (indeed not necessarily the most interesting climbing) - perhaps if i find an interesting route. Your post made me want to be there right now - am actually living and working in Mumbai, India, for a year so i can't make it to Cham before early next year. But am definitely looking forward - until then there's posts like this one to keep me hungry and sharpen the appetite!
cheers
Thank you for the compliment! I would like to return to the Mont Blanc Massif when my technical skills are stronger so that I can do some actual climbing. I was amazed by the possibilities there. For now, this was a very nice high-altitude hike.
I actually believed the Swiss had a hand in the elaborate construction until I read your excellent report. Too bad they missed out. At approximately 3800 meters, why bother? It essentially is international territory, as flags from umteen nations are figuratively flying on any given day during the climbing season. What I'm trying to say is that the mammoth cost could have been parlayed among many debtor UN nations without detracting from the serious, yet sublime trek un one of the world's finest peaks. I understand why you have a crusk on the mountain--truly beautiful, wonderful albeit costly hostel-like service at Gouter refuge. Thanks for your report.
I just returned from a mid-August trip to Mont Blanc, and found your report pretty darn accurate. We did it a little bit differently, but the parts that overlapped were nearly identical. I found the scrambling between Tete Rousse and Gouter to be a little steeper than I expected. Not hard, but just more than I expected. And a full 2000' vertical of it, let's note. Wicked cold on top.
Flattlander - Sep 30, 2011 11:00 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Loved reading it!Thank you!
walterDS - Oct 1, 2011 10:20 am - Hasn't voted
Good stuffGreat text and pictures!
Chamonix/Mont Blanc Massif is paradise for climbers interested in mixed climbing. You could go back there each year, and never do the same peak/route twice. I've been there a couple of times (easy to reach from my native Belgium), and will often go back many more times for sure. I may never even summit Mont Blanc (indeed not necessarily the most interesting climbing) - perhaps if i find an interesting route. Your post made me want to be there right now - am actually living and working in Mumbai, India, for a year so i can't make it to Cham before early next year. But am definitely looking forward - until then there's posts like this one to keep me hungry and sharpen the appetite!
cheers
Flattlander - Oct 1, 2011 11:21 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Good stuffThank you for the compliment! I would like to return to the Mont Blanc Massif when my technical skills are stronger so that I can do some actual climbing. I was amazed by the possibilities there. For now, this was a very nice high-altitude hike.
JoelSkok - Oct 1, 2011 4:30 pm - Voted 10/10
Gouter refugeI actually believed the Swiss had a hand in the elaborate construction until I read your excellent report. Too bad they missed out. At approximately 3800 meters, why bother? It essentially is international territory, as flags from umteen nations are figuratively flying on any given day during the climbing season. What I'm trying to say is that the mammoth cost could have been parlayed among many debtor UN nations without detracting from the serious, yet sublime trek un one of the world's finest peaks. I understand why you have a crusk on the mountain--truly beautiful, wonderful albeit costly hostel-like service at Gouter refuge. Thanks for your report.
pvnisher - Sep 12, 2012 9:51 pm - Hasn't voted
AccurateI just returned from a mid-August trip to Mont Blanc, and found your report pretty darn accurate. We did it a little bit differently, but the parts that overlapped were nearly identical. I found the scrambling between Tete Rousse and Gouter to be a little steeper than I expected. Not hard, but just more than I expected. And a full 2000' vertical of it, let's note. Wicked cold on top.