Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Mont Blanc Hut Trip!!!!

OK people! We are going to hike for 8 days around Mont Blanc in France/Italy/Switzerland -- and you are coming with. 

Image result for mont blanc
Yup, we are going here.

For those thinking "what the hell is Amie talking about," I am organizing a group trip for fall of 2020. The details follow since it is easier to post here than to email everyone. 

Dates:  September 7 through 14 of 2020

Where:  Mont Blanc, Les Houches to Chamonix - Here is a map of the route. You can fly in and out of Geneva, with the tour start being a one-hour bus ride from Geneva.

One of the "huts" along the way. Hopefully it won't actually snow on us.
Why:  You will also have an awesome guide (me). I speak enough Italian to get us out of trouble and enough French to get us into it! Also, traveling with friends is awesome. I would get sick of talking to Dave for 6 days straight anyway.

Cost:  $1,500 per person with a $300 deposit to reserve your space

FAQs

So what do I get for my money?
  • 7 Breakfasts and 5 dinners 
  • Baggage transfer, you hike with just a light daypack for your food and water
  • Assistance from Travel Agent Amie with your flights, transfers, additional hotel nights, and any onward travel arrangements (Dave and I might stay in Chamonix for a night or two, travel a bit through Switzerland, maybe head to Lyon, or will go see K and H for Oktoberfest in Munich - interested?)
  • Organized pre-trip training hikes

How hard is this going to be?
  • We will be hiking for six days with an average of 17k per day and 1,500 meters of ascent and descent. So definitely not easy but you have all day to finish the route.
  • For the crazies, there are options of up to 27k per day if you feel like peak-bagging and really earning your beers.
  • **NOTE** there are options for shorter routes each day by taking ski lifts instead of doing long descents, and using taxi or bus transfers if you are tired or the weather is absolute shiite. 

What are the hotels like?
  • We will have four nights accommodation in 2* and 3* hotels, and three nights in auberges or a mixed-sex dorm. They all offer GREAT food and simple accommodations. If you want to Google them, here are a few of the likely hotels:
    • Les Houches: Hotel du Bois
    • Les Contamines: Hotel la Chemenaz
    • Les Chapieux: Refuge de Mottets
    • Courmayeur: Hotel Bouton d'Or
    • Champex: Gite Bon Abri
    • Trient: Hotel la Grande Ourse
    • Chamonix: Hotel l'Arve 

How do I get there?
  • The most direct route would be to fly into Geneva, from there it is a one-hour bus ride to Les Houches. I have a coupon code for the bus, it is just a few bucks and I can help you book.

When do I have to decide?

  • I would need your deposit of $300 by October 1, 2019 (preferably by PayPal). This is a popular trip with limited lodging. 


What if the dates don't work for me or I have other specific questions?
  • Please email me or put your questions in the "comments" section below. The dates aren't entirely "set". If folks prefer other specific dates, we can rearrange a bit.