MB Hike Mileage

Happy quarantine everyone!

We still do not have confirmation as to whether our Mont Blanc trip will move forward. I will do this trip at some point in my lifetime, so I decided to scare myself with the mileage and elevation gain/loss. If anything it is motivation to get out and TRAIN because -- yikes. So for comparison, the Windy Hill loop is 6.2 miles and 1,371 feet of elevation fain/loss (and I find that to be a butt-kicker).

Day 1
Arrival day in Les Houches

Day 2

10 miles

5.5 hours

2100/2100

Optional Bellevue Telepherique from Les Houches to Bellevue reduces the climb out of Les Houches by 800m and is recommended.

Day 3

12 miles

8 hours

5200/3000

A free shuttle operates between The Office de Tourisme in Les Contamines and Notre Dame de la Gorge, with several stops between. There is also a shorter 18K option (with 1000 less climbing) and taxi option.

Day 4

12 miles

6.5 hours

2600/2460

Shuttle from La Visaille to Courmayer cuts off 5K and 1 hour.

**Extended Route** This is a good day for a longer walk as it is scenic and downhill. Assumes the shuttle bus, otherwise add 1 hour and 5K.

15 miles

8 hours

2800/4200

**Death Route** This is tough and only the most confident hikers should attempt and only if the weather is good. Assumes the shuttle bus, otherwise add 1 hour and 5K. There is a cable car option to avoid a steep 3,000 descent at the end.

17 miles

3800/6000

Day 5

9 miles

5.5 hours

2900/3700

It is possible to bus this entire day on three separate buses, which sounds like an adventure in itself but the notes say it is easy.

Day 6

11 miles

5.5 hours

2460/3100

**Tougher Route**

9 miles

7 hours

4000/4750

Very demanding thigh-killer, quite exposed but the views from the Fenetre d’Arptette are supposed to be spectacular. This will be weather-dependent.

Day 7

7 miles

5 hours

1,069/970

This day involves taking a bus and there are several options to get to Chamonix. There is also a telecabine to take (but not in poor weather) to avoid the descent.

**Finish Hot** Option to hike through the Le Flegere ski resort with superb views, but this would take another 3.5 hours. The guidebook suggests we do the shorter route and hike this separately the next day.

Day 8 and on in Chamonix

•  Auguilles Rogue Park hiking
•  Cable car to the Aiguille du Midi
•  Train to Montenvers on the Mer de Glace

What to Pack for Mont Blanc

This will be us, see the happiness!

Since we all may have some time on our hands, may as well start thinking about the trip! There are  sales going on, in particular at REI. It could be a good time to pick up a few things you might need for the trip.

As far as weather, keep in mind it will be in the low 70s during the day and low 50s at night. The sun sets early in September so 70 may sound warm, but it won't feel that way at 4:00 p.m. It could also rain, something we Californians are not thinking about in September.

Here are a few things on my list. Remember, our weight limit is about 33 lbs per person for the luggage transfer. When in doubt, leave it out

ESSENTIAL CLOTHING 

• 1 pair hiking shoes - I am going to wear trail runners, I am over boots......
• 3 or 4 pairs of good socks - I love Smartwool, they dry fast and never stink
• 4 tops (mostly long sleeved) - Smartwool due to no-stink  
• 2  bottoms - I like pants for sun-protection, I will wait for a sale at Athleta 
• Hat for warmth/shade - bringing a wooly hat and a wide sun hat 
• Light gloves 
• Waterproof jacket/pants - I am just bringing a rain jacket 
• Casual clothes and footwear for evenings - down coat (Patagonia sweater jacket, best thing I own), flip flops, yogaish pants and cozy shirt

ESSENTIALS 

• Small backpack - I prefer a waist pack like this
• Two water bottles 
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• Small first aid kit - I am bringing a good one if you don't have one/don't want to bring it 
• A little hand-wash laundry detergent 
• Universal electrical socket adapter 
• Mobile phone - Macs has an app with maps that is detailed in the Trip Information Pack I emailed everyone previously, we will also have paper maps

USEFUL EXTRAS 

• Headlamp
• Whistle
• Map and compass 
• GPS navigation gadget - I will have one of these
• Books 
• Energy snacks - meals will be substantial but I will be bringing a few snacks just in case
• Walking poles - get adjustable for easy travel
• Neck buff - OMG this is ugly

OTHER BITS

• Start thinking about travel insurance. I am going to wait till after the current crisis to purchase it. I am seeing it is about $200 to cover the trip and your person right now. That seems like a lot for a $1,500 trip when we all have health insurance anyway. I will scope around a bit more.
• We all need to provide our traveler information to the company. The link they provided previously was broken. I have asked for a few one and will post it here when I get it.
• The rest of the trip fee will be due early summer.

Yup, will be redic.

Chaos Theory

Shit just got real. I quit my job after four years in a field that I have been in for most of my life. I could very simply not deal.

Perhaps a midlife crisis.

Perhaps I am crazy.

Here goes nothing.

Shit.