Tour of Mont Blanc (TMB)
Jan 11th, 2016, 07:44 AM
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Tour of Mont Blanc (TMB)
We are three American couples in our 60s, all in very good shape and experienced in Backpacking. We are going do the TMB in early September 2016. Pros & Cons - Counterclockwise vs. Clockwise.
We are thinking about spoiling ourselves this trip and use a Tour group for logistics and a Guide, so that we understand far more than just hiking the area by ourselves, which we are confident we could do. We also would like to not sleep in tents this trip or in a Dorm setting, is that possible. We are planning 8 days of hiking to complete, is this realistic? This is our first trek in Europe and most likely not our last!!! Starting our internet research and just ordered the Tour of Mont Blanc by Kev Reynolds Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
We are thinking about spoiling ourselves this trip and use a Tour group for logistics and a Guide, so that we understand far more than just hiking the area by ourselves, which we are confident we could do. We also would like to not sleep in tents this trip or in a Dorm setting, is that possible. We are planning 8 days of hiking to complete, is this realistic? This is our first trek in Europe and most likely not our last!!! Starting our internet research and just ordered the Tour of Mont Blanc by Kev Reynolds Any and all input is greatly appreciated.
Jan 11th, 2016, 10:37 AM
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Hi there! Congratulations for choosing to hike the TMB! My DH and I accomplished the TMB this past July; it was my 50th birthday present. My DH was 45 at the time. Our full trip was 2 weeks, and the hiking was 12 days, which included a short hike to get acclimated the first day (not part of the TMB) and a hike the last day (also not part of the TMB.)
First I have to tell you that the Mont Blanc massif is some of the most extraordinarily beautiful scenery I have ever seen. There were moments that I just stopped along the trail and stared and stared at the mountains and snow and alpine meadows and trails. I don't think I will ever forget the magisterial beauty of this part of the world.
The second thing is that it is really mountainous. There are hours of ascents, and descents. If you are experienced in mountain hiking then I'm sure you will be fine but be aware that it might take you longer to hike a mile than hiking somewhere that might be a more gentle incline.
We decided to use a tour group for exactly the reasons you are mentioning -- we wanted to be guided and to know what we were walking through, and also not stay in refugios/hostels. After a lot of research we chose a hike with REI, primarily because there is a support van that takes your bag each day, so you are not carrying everything you need on the trail. There were parts of the TMB that include a lot of ascent and I did not want to exhaust myself carrying a huge pack on a 7- to 8-hour day of hiking, at altitude.
Our hike was 9 1/2 days. We started and ended in Chamonix, and we went counter-clockwise: France, Italy, Switzerland and back into France. We could not have done it in 8 days. I mean, maybe we could have, but we would have been running almost. In our group we had people ranging in age from 30s to 60s. Plus the teenage son of one guy (and the teen was always first!).
My Dh and I don't usually go on group tours, but for something this logistically detailed we thought it would be the best idea. I did not want to figure out making reservations at hotels/auberges/B&B's along the way, not knowing how much I would be physically able to hike.
Oh, last thing: Almost at the end of the hike, I said to one of the guides (who are French and certified with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix), "on a globe or map this is a pinprick of a place, and seems small. But it's really so huge, because here we are walking for 10 days to finish 103 miles."
hope this helps.
First I have to tell you that the Mont Blanc massif is some of the most extraordinarily beautiful scenery I have ever seen. There were moments that I just stopped along the trail and stared and stared at the mountains and snow and alpine meadows and trails. I don't think I will ever forget the magisterial beauty of this part of the world.
The second thing is that it is really mountainous. There are hours of ascents, and descents. If you are experienced in mountain hiking then I'm sure you will be fine but be aware that it might take you longer to hike a mile than hiking somewhere that might be a more gentle incline.
We decided to use a tour group for exactly the reasons you are mentioning -- we wanted to be guided and to know what we were walking through, and also not stay in refugios/hostels. After a lot of research we chose a hike with REI, primarily because there is a support van that takes your bag each day, so you are not carrying everything you need on the trail. There were parts of the TMB that include a lot of ascent and I did not want to exhaust myself carrying a huge pack on a 7- to 8-hour day of hiking, at altitude.
Our hike was 9 1/2 days. We started and ended in Chamonix, and we went counter-clockwise: France, Italy, Switzerland and back into France. We could not have done it in 8 days. I mean, maybe we could have, but we would have been running almost. In our group we had people ranging in age from 30s to 60s. Plus the teenage son of one guy (and the teen was always first!).
My Dh and I don't usually go on group tours, but for something this logistically detailed we thought it would be the best idea. I did not want to figure out making reservations at hotels/auberges/B&B's along the way, not knowing how much I would be physically able to hike.
Oh, last thing: Almost at the end of the hike, I said to one of the guides (who are French and certified with the Compagnie des Guides de Chamonix), "on a globe or map this is a pinprick of a place, and seems small. But it's really so huge, because here we are walking for 10 days to finish 103 miles."
hope this helps.
Jan 11th, 2016, 05:53 PM
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Huge thank you. You have clearly identified the key issue we need to make a decision on first - Do we want to carry full packs or day packs on this trek. I understand the issues you identified and we want this to be a more relaxed & enjoyable trek! I will look into the REI trek as I had not look at it, I looked at Boundless Journeys which is very similar.
I appreciate your comments about standing and taking in the beauty, my wife & I just got back from Everest Base Camp and it too was amazing!!!!
I appreciate your comments about standing and taking in the beauty, my wife & I just got back from Everest Base Camp and it too was amazing!!!!
Jan 11th, 2016, 08:11 PM
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<i> Tour of Mont Blanc (TMB)
Posted by: RBrosko on Jan 11, 16 at 11:44am
Posted in: Europe
Tagged: France , Italy , Switzerland </i>
If you have the option I suggest that you fly into Geneva from Barcelona. Off starboard you will enjoy a great view of that massive unbelievable chunk of ice.
If you are also swimmers take an afternoon at the jetee in Geneva. Lac Leman has the sweetest water, coming down from Mont Blanc. You might stop in Evian les Bains also.
Posted by: RBrosko on Jan 11, 16 at 11:44am
Posted in: Europe
Tagged: France , Italy , Switzerland </i>
If you have the option I suggest that you fly into Geneva from Barcelona. Off starboard you will enjoy a great view of that massive unbelievable chunk of ice.
If you are also swimmers take an afternoon at the jetee in Geneva. Lac Leman has the sweetest water, coming down from Mont Blanc. You might stop in Evian les Bains also.
Jan 12th, 2016, 12:57 PM
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Thank you all for the input, greatly appreciated.
Our big question to ourselves is whether we go with a Self-Guided and carry our full packs each day and stay in Hotels and Lodges (approx. $2000 each) OR have a guide (approx. $3000 each) OR have a guide and carry day packs and they move the bulk of our stuff each day (approx. +$4000 each)
.
Guess thats the first thing we must decide.
We have all carried 35-45 lbs. packs up and down the mountains, but only 5-6 days approx. elv 10K, not 8-10 days.
Big decisions we must make!
Our big question to ourselves is whether we go with a Self-Guided and carry our full packs each day and stay in Hotels and Lodges (approx. $2000 each) OR have a guide (approx. $3000 each) OR have a guide and carry day packs and they move the bulk of our stuff each day (approx. +$4000 each)
.
Guess thats the first thing we must decide.
We have all carried 35-45 lbs. packs up and down the mountains, but only 5-6 days approx. elv 10K, not 8-10 days.
Big decisions we must make!
