Trekking Mont Blanc

[JaliscoJudy]

Hi! I'm intending to go on trekking mont blanc for 1 sep departure too, are you going on that one?

Be sure to check the September Departure Lounge here at the Watering Hole to find your fellow travelers. If you don't see your trip listed, go ahead and add it so that they can find you.

Buen viaje!

[waynofx]

Hi All

I'm booked in for the August 24th Mont Blanc Trek and honestly can not wait for the challenge! Solo traveller under 30 (just) and I'm hoping we have a full group. My last 2 Gap tours I've had under 4 people so ready to experience a group of adventures.

I'll also be filming the whole trip and would like to know how often we stop in places that have access to power? Thanks hope to see more like minded people out there soon!!

[srenee3689]

Hello Everyone,

I am super excited about this trek as well. I am going on the August 24th trek as well. It is my second solo hiking trek. Last time I had so much fun!

I am pretty active but have never worn a pack before so I am a little nervous about that. I've only been wearing it for about 6 mile hikes on the weekend to practice.

-Shannon

[MCKEEN]

Hi Everyone,
I'm booked on the Aug 25th 2010 departure. Just received email from Gap warning us to take a smaller pack size( max 35l).
Have already purchased 50 l pack and spent the last month wearing it in.
I had only planned on taking about 10lbs of gear with me..absolute minimum.
with all the compressions snug its about the same size as a 30l..feels good but I am wondering if on a long trek if there are any benefits to taking a smaller pack and cramming it with my 10 lbs as Gap suggests. ie better weight distribution?
Difference in pack weight is only 1/2 lb between mine and the lightest 35 l i can find.
I hope someone who has done alot of trekking can give me some advice!
Thanks

[waynofx]

Nice to meet you Shannon & McKeen, well sort of... catch up better on the trip!

Shannon I wore a 25litre pack for 3 days on my Thailand Hike, Bike & Kayak trip and although my first long distance solo trek I didn't have any problems myself so I'm sure you won't either, just keep focusing on the scenery and you'll be right!

Hey McKeen I'm in the same boat as yourself. I have a 25 litre pack for small hikes but have a 50 litre pack for longer ones which I thought I might need on this one seeing we are away for 7-8 days. My pack is the same where you can cram it right down but I would say so longs the weight distribution is good and you can carry the pack without any tireness you should be right. I'm thinking of taking my pouch bag for my cameras seeing theyre the heaviest and the rest of the pack should be pretty light and so longs you have good support you shouldn't have any dramas.

Only a few weeks... weather is looking beautiful over there at the moment!

[srenee3689]

Hi guys!

I just read about the size of the pack yesterday. My pack is 65 liter but very light. I was thinking maybe I should return it too, but I have decided to keep it and wear it. I like having apack that can carry more, if need be, for future hikes. It sinches up smaller and frankly I'd rather have lots of room than trying to cram everything into a daypack. I can then throw all my city stuff in there and take it out before we go for the trek. Ill be in the Geneva area for 5 days before our trek.

The 30 liter thing did concern me though. My pack is double that size! I wore it on a 14 mile hike with 17 pounds in it and was fine. I am thinking my pack will be about 10 pounds packed too.

Are both of you going to use your 50 liter pack?

I look forward to meeting you.

-Shannon

[srenee3689]

Hey, FYI...

I spoke to Gap Adventures and they said using my 65 liter pack but not filling it was completely fine, so I wouldn't worry about your 50 liter packs.

-Shannon

[danielle23]

Hey guys!
I just completed the Trekking Mont Blanc with Yannick, July 31st departure. I thought I would come in here and just give you all a little bit of advice before you all take on this adventure. First off, this tour is AMAZING. Yes, it's difficult (as you can see the physical grading is 5) but if you are in good shape and keep active in your normal life at home, you can do this trek and complete it. Even if you've never gone hiking before, you can still do this. We had some folks on our tour that were new to hiking but they did really well, and completed the entire 7 days.

Just a few tips I've observed:

- BRING HIKING POLES. Seriously, they'll save your life on the steep descents and those long up hills. If you arrive in Chamonix without any hiking poles, you can get some for about 40euro at Snells, just a few blocks away from the hotel.

- Have some mits or gloves handy, or some kind of tuque (winter hat). One morning in Italy we woke up to 3 degrees outside.

- PACK REALLY LITE. Don't bother with anything that you won't need. Toss those aside and leave at the hotel. If you question the use of the item, then you don't need it! The Trip Details has a really good checklist for what you really need for the 8 days of hiking. Anything not on there, leave it behind at the Hotel.

- If you feel a blister forming while hiking, don't mess around with it even if you are behind from the group. Take the 10 minutes to stop and put some campeed on it (I highly recommend Campeed, which you can buy at any pharmacy in Chamonix) Because once the blister is formed or popped, it will hurt for the rest of the trek and will take a while to heal.

- Knee braces and ibuprofen, if you know you have problems with the joints. They can be helpful, trust me. The steep descents can do quite a number on your knees and the inflammation can be painful, so be prepared for that.

- Ear plugs and sleep aids. For those with difficulty sleeping in a room full of people. Most accommodations you will share with the rest of the group and it can be quite hard to sleep with 12 people in the room.

- Make sure your hiking boots are really worn in. Wearing new boots for a couple of days won't do anything. They must really be worn and if you can, go hiking at home before you leave. Not those really short hikes, but go for a full day. You will really see if your boots will give you blisters this way. Also, it's better to have boots that go up to your ankles. Don't show up in sneakers!

- Most of you already know what kind of pack you need but any trekking rucksack under 50 litres is more than enough! Try it out at the store, put some weight in it, walk up and down the stairs with it and even better, go hiking with it. You will know if it will be comfortable to wear for 8 days.

- Be prepared for ALL weather conditions. They can all happen at once on the mountains. We've seen it all! One day we left the refuge in Italy, it was freezing cold outside. About an hour later, there was sun and it got warm. Then a few hours later, we were surrounded by fog and there were icicles on the posts showing directions. Then, about an hour down that mountain, clear skies and the sun was shining!

Not sure what else to say! Have fun and enjoy. It's truly a unique experience and you get to say you've done it when you are done. Hopefully your experience will be just as great as mine!

[MCKEEN]

Thanks for the feedback!
I've had trouble logging on to reply to the other posts...
Personally I went out and bought a 30 litre pack just to compare..I think my bigger 50 litre with just the necessities carries the weight better.
Have the poles, ibuprofen, and ear plugs..will add my toque!
Any thoughts on which transfer company to use..some bad reviews on trip advisor for all three that Gap lists.
I'll be in Chamonix early ( I arrive on the 24th) if anyone wants to meet up..I'm hoping to see the ice cave..maybe the Aguille Midi lift.

[waynofx]

Thank you for the feedback all! I've been another Gap Tour on Lombok so couldn't reply in time either.

I'll be staying at The Ramada Park Hotel in Geneva on the 24th and heading up the mountain early morning on the 25th... still havn't heard back from any of the transfer companies myself so will have to find a way up when I'm there.

Just finished repacking for this trip so with any luck I should be right, keeping my 60litre its compacted really well and quite small and light... My cameras are the heaviest item but sounds like I'll definately be needing them with the landscape we will be trekking through!

Not long now will catch up with everyone when I see you, cheers!

[chardonais]

Hi all!

Just booked the Mont Blanc trek and was wondering about weather. I'm going end of June/beginning of July - will I need thermals/gloves/toque? This will be my first "unassissted" trek and I'm nervous about taking unnecessary weight. Also, is a sleeping bag needed?

I've done Everest base camp and the Inca trail, but the carrying a full pack has me scared! Good thing I have 6 months to train!

Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated - almost forgot... someone suggested a bathing suit - is it needed?

Thanks again!

Dianna

[MCKEEN]

Yes, bring thermals. In the mountains you can have any and all types of weather.
ABSOLUTELY bring your swimsuit..the spa in Courmayeur is beautiful..and you can do the cable car across the mountains from Chamonix and the beginnng or end of the trip instead.

I personally found carrying my pack challenging..it was a first for me.
At the welcome meeting, Yannick our guide told us max to carry was 10% of our body weight (something no one thought to tell us on the trip notes btw). 3 wool t-shirts is plenty a sweater and all waterproofs ( don't forget the pants too)
You have to carry at least 2 litres of water at all times so don't forget to calculate that into the weight you're carrying.

Can you tell me about your Everest trek..how was it?
Thats one of the next treks on my list.
Have fun!

[chardonais]

Thanks Mckeen!

My goal is to keep my pack around 10 pounds - could be a little tough......

Another question - what extras did you do around the Chamonix area that you would recommend? I was looking at the ice cave and of course the tram (Aguille de Midi I think...)

Everest base camp was fabulous and is still my absolute favorite trip to date. Nepal is such a beautiful country and the people are extremely friendly. The trek itself was tough, but I found that I got stronger as the days went by. I was quite lucky as I didn't get sick at all - not even a headache from the altitude. The food was tasty, but got a little monotonous - you can only eat pasta and cheese, pasta and tuna, tuna and rice, tuna and cheese, pasta with tuna and cheese so much! Kathmandu was crazy and chaotic and I absolutly loved it as well - just can't say enough about Nepal!

Dianna

[MCKEEN]

Chamonix is a beautiful town. Other than people watching there are a few little museums, art galleries..I went to the Espace Tarraiz/Crystal Gallery.
I also did the cable car up to Aguille de Midi, planning to either hike halfway down or see the ice cave in the afternoon. DON'T understand the lines for the cable car. Once you get in the first main line they give you a time/token and you can come back when you're sheduled to go up so make sure you're there first thing in the morning if you want to see anything else that day. Also don't forget its really cold at the top and you may not be able to come down right away so bring a snack and cold weather gear..my entire trip was around 6 hours!
Rick Steves France tour book shows day hikes to do around Chamonix.
If you're coming from Geneva the train is a really beautiful introduction to the area and it was quite easy to get there despite what the Gap representative told me. ( I took Mountain Drop-offs on the way there and they were great too if you want to get there the fastest way).
Only other thing I highly recommend is the Chateaux de Chillon in Montreaux.
Its an easy day trip from Geneva on your way home..one of the best preserved castles I've seen in Europe.

[pamela8488]

Hi everyone! I am booked for the 2nd July tour trekking Mont Blanc!