Whereas the Tour du Mont Blanc is demanding, it’s not a very tough hike. It’s simply lengthy, with plenty of altitude acquire and loss, and all the time scenic. On my latest trek across the mountain with three associates, it appeared every of us had a weak spot: knees, toes, or lungs. For some, the problem was the uphill half, and for others (with weak knees), it was going downhill. We simply took it simple, with plenty of little breaks.
For lengthy climbs, regular, smaller steps are finest. The path might be actually rocky, and I can’t think about doing it with out mountaineering poles. The path indicators have been nice, and apps made staying on the path simple: Simply observe the blue dot. And I obtained good use out of a top-quality printed map. (I’d spend time the night time earlier than studying up on the hike and familiarizing myself with the path on the map.)
Whereas the climate forecast seemed threatening, we hiked six days (in September, over the past week of the season) and, fortunately, had just one hour of rain. Nonetheless, every day we’d pack rain gear, and we’d add on and take off layers as we gained and misplaced altitude. After 4 days, we had it sorted out, and it occurred to us rank newbies, “We’re getting good at this.”
As we have been mountaineering in a giant circle round a giant clump of mountains and sleeping in charming cities every night time, each day appeared to be up and over a frightening mountain move. A nightly deal with was a stroll below a milky blanket of stars.
I’ll be sharing extra pictures, tales, and suggestions from Mont Blanc on the Nov. 29 version of Monday Night time Journey. Wish to come alongside? Register now for this enjoyable — and free! — occasion.
