Mihai Tanase wrote:Moni and hansw are right, the route is more on the left side of the Dôme.
For sure - more to the left in the upper part.
I went up there last year in late September. It was exceptionally good weather and made a fast ascent (too fast? Was up before sunrise and went down due to the cold before I could enjoy the view from the summit!). The huts were then open.
It is doable with huts closed - no doubt - but I hope you are prepared for the cold. The daytrip I made up Izta to 4 200 m was pleasant (could have been done in shorts!). I might guess that temperature on Pico de Orizaba at 5 700 m would be comparable with Mont Blanc summit in October (or maybe MB would be even colder?). More oxygene though!
Next: I think the Tete Rousse-Goûter hut part will be the problem. Hopefully not "black ice" on the rocks. Advantage: less risk of a stone fall with less climbers around and if there is a little fresh snow.
The last ascent from Goûter is not bad but a long plod. No bad crevasses when I was there (2? 3? with good snow bridges or "step over") - if acklimatized the Bosses ridge is not difficult either.
I will have a try on MB from the Italian Normal route this weekend - my rucksack will be 25+ kgs (tent, shovel, kitchen, arctic sleeping bag...). See you at the summit?