Refuge Albert Premier

Overview

The Refuge Albert Premier  m 2707 (sometimes also written as Albert 1er) is located on the North bank of the Tour Glacier in the Mont Blanc massif. It is mostly used as a base for climbing the three most popular mountains of the Tour basin: the Aiguille du Tour, the Aiguille Purtscheller and the Aiguille du Chardonnet. Its name is due to the King of Belgium, Albert 1st, who was a mountaineer.
The main hut has room for 137 people and is staffed from mid-June to September.
The old hut is used as a winter room and can accommodate 30 people. Beware: some websites and books state the winter hut has firewood and gas available but this was not the case (may 2007).

Access

You can reach the hut starting from the small town of  "Le Tour", near Chamonix.

Road access

From Chamonix take the N506 in the direction of Argentière. Just after leaving Argentière turn right towards Montroc, Le Tour. Park your car at the Charamillon lift station.

Path access

The first option is to follow the Charamillon-Balme ski lifts all the way to the top (or use the lift if they are working). From there follow the path under the Tete de Charamillon past the small lake to the right bank moraine of the Glacier du Tour. The path is airy sometimes and some passages are equipped with cables. 1.45 hrs.

The second option is the steeper direct route from Le Tour. This path requires some light scrambling and some passages in the lower part are a bit exposed to stonefall. You end up on the right bank moraine which you follow to the hut. 3-4hrs, 1300 hm.

Other information

Situation: Glacier du Tour right bank, this is the only refuge FFCAM massive that one can reach without going on a glacier.
Owner: Fédération Française des Clubs Alpins et de Montagne
Guardian: Paul Laborde
Guarding period: early March to late April and from early June to late September
Size: 140 people + 30 in the winter shelter
Hut Phone: The hut can be reached directly in the season at +33 (0)4 50 54 06 20
Charamillon - Col de Balme lift: +33 (0)4 50 54 00 58
 

Climbs

Mountains:

- Aiguille Purtscheller
- Aiguille du Tour 3544m
-Tete Blanche 3429m
- Petite 3520m & Grande Fourche 3619m
- Aiguille du Chardonnet 3824m
- Aiguille du Passon 3389m

Cols:

-Fenetre du Pissoir
-Col du Tour
-Fenetre du Tour
-Col du Passon

Meteo

Switzerland Forecast

Cartography and GPS

IGN Carte de Randonnée: 3630 OT Chamonix, Massif du Mont Blanc 1:25.000

GPS:
Lat 45.99672
Long 6.98655

32T E 0344 N 5095 650

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

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NKING100 - Aug 16, 2011 5:20 am - Hasn't voted

Water

The hut has a picnic room which has clean water and a cooking place. Also this hut is VERY busy in good weather, there are a lot of bivi sites just above the hut, if its full and you don't mine carrying the gear.

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