I really enjoyed reading your account of climbing my favourite mountain. I have climbed Mont Blanc on average about once every 5 years over the past 25 years. My last time was via the gouter route also - in similar conditions to you, in Sept 2009 (if interested see Mont Blanc 2009 ).
Reading of your time-line I wondered how you got away with it altitude-wise... then I saw you just slipped in right at the end, that you just happened to have come from Colorado!
Yes - I definitely endorse camping on Mont Blanc! (although they say it isn't allowed) - I spent one night in the Gouter Hut in 1982 - never again!
Re the slopes up the Dome... Yes, I have slogged up that slope 6 times (twice in one week in 2009). You need to take an iPod - then you can actually convince yourself you like it!
Anyway - nice one Flattlander - and I shall look forward to reading more of your stuff in the future!
Best wishes, Mark
Flattlander - Sep 25, 2011 10:12 am - Hasn't voted
Altitude
Thanks for the kind words, Mark. Actually, the Colorado trip was way back in May--I should have specified. So, no lasting acclimatization from that. No, we just took an extra day on the mountain. I think the night in Chamonix helped, as well.
We where also on the summit on september 10th!! We started our climb at Tete Rousse at 1.40 am and reached the summit at 7.58am. We ran down the mountain and at 5pm we reached the Bellevue cable station just in time...
I posted some photo's on my blog, if you're interested (text is in dutch, unfortunately):
I also made a little video:
http://herrefoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/mont-blanc-shortclimb-video.html
And some 360 degrees pano's:
http://www.hermandesmet.be/panorama-bestanden/mb.html
Enjoy the view (again) :-)
Grtz,
Herman
Flattlander - Sep 27, 2011 11:59 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Summit on sept 10th
Herman's comment, translated to actual English: "Hey! We climbed the same thing on the same day as you, except way faster. Here are some photos that are way better than yours. I probably don't get the humor in your trip report, and I gave it a 7/10. That's a C-minus! Smiley face!! Grits, Herman"
Sorry man, couldn't resist. Don't get mad. Your photos really are fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
lol I could't help burst out laughing upon reading this. Love your post, the pictures are stunning, and your words are hilariously fun, cracked myself up. Nice one!
jaxcharlie - Sep 20, 2011 2:44 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice reportthanks for sharing, and really nice pics as well!
Flattlander - Sep 20, 2011 5:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice reportThank you! It was fun putting it together.
markhallam - Sep 25, 2011 2:24 am - Voted 10/10
Excellent TR - thanks!I really enjoyed reading your account of climbing my favourite mountain. I have climbed Mont Blanc on average about once every 5 years over the past 25 years. My last time was via the gouter route also - in similar conditions to you, in Sept 2009 (if interested see Mont Blanc 2009 ).
Reading of your time-line I wondered how you got away with it altitude-wise... then I saw you just slipped in right at the end, that you just happened to have come from Colorado!
Yes - I definitely endorse camping on Mont Blanc! (although they say it isn't allowed) - I spent one night in the Gouter Hut in 1982 - never again!
Re the slopes up the Dome... Yes, I have slogged up that slope 6 times (twice in one week in 2009). You need to take an iPod - then you can actually convince yourself you like it!
Anyway - nice one Flattlander - and I shall look forward to reading more of your stuff in the future!
Best wishes, Mark
Flattlander - Sep 25, 2011 10:12 am - Hasn't voted
AltitudeThanks for the kind words, Mark. Actually, the Colorado trip was way back in May--I should have specified. So, no lasting acclimatization from that. No, we just took an extra day on the mountain. I think the night in Chamonix helped, as well.
damgaard - Sep 25, 2011 2:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Great TRVery entertaining writing. I have the Gouter route on my "to do"-list, and now I want to do it even more.
cheers, Jesper
Flattlander - Sep 25, 2011 8:00 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Great TRThank you for the kind comment about my writing. I truly appreciate it.
LoneRanger - Sep 26, 2011 10:55 am - Voted 10/10
Nice TRWhen was this climb? I was climbing with Darren, that must be a few days after this one
Flattlander - Sep 26, 2011 11:42 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice TRSummit was Septemer 10th.
drewcmf - Sep 26, 2011 4:40 pm - Hasn't voted
Always stay away from......dude-saunas.
Good report, FL. Fun read, written in high style.
Cheers.
Flattlander - Sep 26, 2011 7:05 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Always stay away from...Thanks man, glad you enjoyed it.
Herre - Sep 27, 2011 5:28 am - Voted 7/10
Summit on sept 10thHey!
We where also on the summit on september 10th!! We started our climb at Tete Rousse at 1.40 am and reached the summit at 7.58am. We ran down the mountain and at 5pm we reached the Bellevue cable station just in time...
I posted some photo's on my blog, if you're interested (text is in dutch, unfortunately):
http://herrefoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/shortclimb-mont-blanc-4810m-het.html
I also made a little video:
http://herrefoto.blogspot.com/2011/09/mont-blanc-shortclimb-video.html
And some 360 degrees pano's:
http://www.hermandesmet.be/panorama-bestanden/mb.html
Enjoy the view (again) :-)
Grtz,
Herman
Flattlander - Sep 27, 2011 11:59 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Summit on sept 10thHerman's comment, translated to actual English: "Hey! We climbed the same thing on the same day as you, except way faster. Here are some photos that are way better than yours. I probably don't get the humor in your trip report, and I gave it a 7/10. That's a C-minus! Smiley face!! Grits, Herman"
Sorry man, couldn't resist. Don't get mad. Your photos really are fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
Herre - Sep 29, 2011 7:29 am - Voted 7/10
Re: Summit on sept 10thHey Flattlander,
Is my english so bad? :-)
Your report is great and - oh-yes - I even laughed several times!
Greetz,
Herman
Flattlander - Sep 29, 2011 11:24 am - Hasn't voted
Re: Summit on sept 10thHaha, your English is rather good, and a WHOLE lot better than my Dutch!
xchallenging - Mar 12, 2012 2:49 pm - Voted 10/10
Re: Summit on sept 10thlol I could't help burst out laughing upon reading this. Love your post, the pictures are stunning, and your words are hilariously fun, cracked myself up. Nice one!
Flattlander - Mar 12, 2012 3:39 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Summit on sept 10thThank you so much! This trip was a lot of fun. Hope I get to do more like it.
Nyle Walton - Sep 27, 2011 12:15 pm - Hasn't voted
Before your mother was born.I followed this same route back in 1959. It is the easiest way to reach the top of Europe. Thanks for reviving my memories.
Flattlander - Sep 27, 2011 12:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Before your mother was born.Thanks for reading!
Bark Eater - Sep 28, 2011 11:59 am - Voted 10/10
great adventureThanks for sharing!
icypeak - Sep 30, 2011 8:47 am - Voted 10/10
Loved reading it!Great trip report and congratulations on the summit! Oh, and the tram did not work when I was there either, guess it's not Switzerland :-)