Climbing Mont Blanc

**mladen** · 3rd January 2009

Im thinking of organising a trip to climb Mont Blanc's summit and perhaps a little skiing and trip to Milan/Geneva whilst we're at it. Having never done this or even ski'd before I was wondering if anyone had some advice. Questions I would like to raise are:

1. Can this be done around February/March?
2. What time frames should be allowed for?
3. What else do I need to take into account? So far I have considered (with rough budgets)...

Flight to Milan/Geneva (�50)
Hostel (�15 pppn)
Lift (�??)
Crampons/Ski's (how much to rent?)

If anyone has some any advice on doing this it would be much appreciated!

**blacksheep** · 3rd January 2009

How much mountaineering and snow/ice experience you got mate as if it's zero you don't want to be doing it in feb/march look at going in June-August time when the conditions are a little more forgiving - in winter you're going to probably need to use skiis .

If you've no snow/ice experience then even for the summer you're going to need at least a weeks intensive training and make sure you're in pretty good shape as the altitude will have an affect on you.

**CzarJunkie** · 3rd January 2009

Skiing is for cunts. Apres ski = cunt's circus.

**mladen** · 3rd January 2009

Ah right, I was told that it was something that could be done with little experience along the Gouter route. As long as you were fit and healthy (which I think I am). I was trying to avoid the summer as it is apparently way too overcrowded.

Anyhow, from a little further reading it does seem a fairly daft idea to do it in Feb/Mar having never done it before.
In the meantime, if you have any further advice (ie flights/accomodation/equipment) it would be much appreciated.

**Argyll** · 3rd January 2009

Get some mountaneering courses behind you mate. I do quite a bit of this and hill walking but I'm quite experienced at it. You wouldn't belive the people I see at the top of some mountains wearing t-shirts and jeans etc. Remember it may be good weather at the foot of a mountain but it can change rapidly at the top. There are many graveyards that can confirm this.

Get good sound advice and buy the best gear you can afford. Buy cheap and buy twice and the best equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

**blacksheep** · 4th January 2009

Tbh buy clothing, decent rucsack, waterproofs etc - the crampons and ice axe etc you can hire.

**Greyfox** · 4th January 2009

Originally Posted by Argyll

Get some mountaneering courses behind you mate. I do quite a bit of this and hill walking but I'm quite experienced at it. You wouldn't belive the people I see at the top of some mountains wearing t-shirts and jeans etc. Remember it may be good weather at the foot of a mountain but it can change rapidly at the top. There are many graveyards that can confirm this.

Get good sound advice and buy the best gear you can afford. Buy cheap and buy twice and the best equipment can mean the difference between life and death.

Agreed. Ive climbed a few mountaisn such as Ben nevis and i saw a cunt climbing to the top wearing flip flops