Hi,

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in the TMB walking circuit in July or August this year.

From the internet, I understand that there are guided trips but if the group is big enough and armed with maps and energy, then it is doable without a guide. I am unsure which to opt for. Also I read that one needs to know how to climb since if passes are icy then we need to use ladders and chains. Is that true and how difficult can it be?

If anyone has done this trip before then please do help with suggestions/contacts/do's and dont's etc. And if someone is interested in joining during this timeframe, please do get back.

I really look forward to doing this hut-to-hut circuit, provided it is doable.

I have not done the Tour du Mont Blanc but have, in bits and pieces, done the more challenging Haute Route. I did all the stages alone, with neither guide nor companions. Add to that the fact that I am no longer young (started in the year of my 69th birthday).

Whether you can do it or not depends on your hiking ability and experience, but the overwhelming majority of hikers do it without any support.

Best reference is Kev Reynolds' Tour of Mont Blanc.

Great idea - I may well be up for that - will send you a PM.

I have ordered a copy of the book. It would sure be nice to have some more people on board

A friend joined a guided tour to the Mont Blanc. It was a week long camp starting with climbing exercises and shorter trial hikes and finally the tour up the Mont Blanc. She said it was partially scary, they started at 2am and had to do part of the climbing in the dark. In the end there was too much fog to get to the top but it was a great experience for her.

I don't know who organised the tour but can find out if you'd like to know. Good luck with your adventure`

I see, from what you mention looks like they were *climbing* the summit. I guess the TMB consists on just walking (or may be I am mistaken). Will check.

TMB is definitely walking, not climbing.

Oops, didn't know that the TMB is like a walk around the Mont Blanc, thought it was hiking up to the summit. That's what my friend did and that's what required climbing.

that cloud is cleared...

You don't need climbing experience. People run the whole thing in running shoes in 20 hours! However, a week or 10 days is more sensible. It's all hut-to-hut with good signposting & loads of other folk in the high season, so no need for a guide. In fact, probably a good idea to reserve early if you're not camping, which is only allowed in official sites, I believe.

That was reassuring
Will do more online research and check for dates and room availability soon.

For accommodation you may want to check GÎTES REFUGES SUR LE TOUR DU MONT BLANC.

I did it in July 2007 in a guided group; a description of the stages I did and the places I stayed overnight (in French) is here.

It's a magnificent tour, but very popular - be prepared for lots of other people on the path and crowded conditions in the refuges.

There are a large number of variations on the basic route, which often sticks to the valley bottom. For example, there are higher level alternatives on the east side of the Contamines valley, on the south side of the Italian Val Ferret and on the north side of the valley between the Col des Montets and Le Brévent. I haven't read Kev Reynolds' book but I would imagine he has described all the best variants.

The leg between La Fouly and Champex in the Swiss val Ferret, which most people skip by taking the bus, is well worth walking in my opinion - it gives an easy (but still long) day before the Fenêtre d'Arpette (assuming you are going anticlockwise).

The Fenêtre d'Arpette itself is not as difficult as some descriptions make out. t's steep, rocky at the top but not dangerous or exposed in any way.

Reassuring post again
Will certainly go through the link.

Hi,

I'm also planning to do Mont Blanc circut late August/First week of September. Do drop me a line if you want to team up togather.

Cheers

Dear all,

I did this trip and have uploaded some pictures here. It was indeed a wonderful experience. We had great weather overall, met many people and do certainly feel a sense of accomplishment

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...1&l=5125884efb