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.
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.
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
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
