I'll be spending a week in chamonix with some friends the 2nd week of september this year to do some easy alpine climbs/hikes in the area (unguided) and climb to the summit of mont blanc the final two days (guided).
I've done quite a bit of research so essentially know what to expect, but I have just a few more questions that I hope somebody here could answer:
1. How long in advance should I make reservations for guides? Since it is no longer really high season I was planning on doing this sometime in July.
2. We will be renting the majority of our gear (from what I gather it is no problem to rent gear in chamonix), but I wonder is it also possible to rent a rope for glacier travel? Or am I better off just buying my own rope? If so, what strength (thickness) of rope is adequate for glacier travel?
3. Is the Albert 1e Refuge open in the beginning of September? Couldn't find any good info on this either..
Thanks in advance!
Charles