Edges of Chamonix Mont Blanc

Mountain experience, very good fitness, grade III–IV climbing ability and crampon technique on slopes of around 50° are required.

Long Alpine days require strong endurance. Altitude, successive days of activity, wind and low temperatures can increase fatigue and difficulty. Read the full programme and ask us if you are unsure about the required level.

Prepare with endurance exercise and mountain walks, using a loaded backpack and the boots and equipment intended for the trip. Break in new boots beforehand. Previous long mountain days, ideally including a 3,000 m summit in the Pyrenees, are useful preparation. You must be comfortable with exposed terrain and heights. An assessment outing with one of our guides can help confirm whether the route suits you.

Included

• High mountain guide fees for five days.
• Mountain hut booking arrangements.
• Shared safety equipment, including ropes and anchoring systems.
• Technical equipment from the general information list that you do not own.
• Local transfers to the activity starting points.

Not included

• Your accommodation and meal expenses.
• Cable cars or trains used to access the mountains.
• The guide’s accommodation, hut meals and cable-car expenses.
• Allow €500 per person for these expenses.

Clothing and equipment

Clothing

• Gore-Tex or equivalent waterproof jacket and overtrousers.
• Technical mountain trousers in Schoeller fabric or equivalent.
• Fleece or softshell jacket.
• Thermal base layer and a spare.
• Thin and thick socks, plus spares.
• Gloves and a spare pair.
• Warm hat, sun cap, sunglasses and ski goggles.
• Headtorch with spare batteries and, if needed, a spare bulb.
• Sun protection for face and lips, and after-sun lotion.

Technical equipment

• Harness and 2 HMS locking carabiners.
• Ice axe and crampons with anti-balling plates.
• Telescopic ski poles.
• Helmet.
• 45–60 litre backpack.
• Water bottle of at least 1.5 litres and electrolyte salts.

Footwear

• Rigid-soled mountaineering boots and gaiters.

Personal first-aid kit

• Pain relief medication.
• Anti-inflammatory medication.
• Anti-diarrhoeal medication.
• Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ointment.
• Antiseptic.
• Gauze, medical tape, plasters and bandages.
• Mineral salts for drinking water.
• Sunscreen.
• Lip protection.
• If you need to wear glasses or contact lenses during the activity, bring a suitable way to prevent losing them.

PirineoSur.es can provide

• Any technical equipment on the list that you do not own and request in advance.

Chamonix and Mont Blanc ridges

Day 0: Meet from 18:00 at Place de l’Église in Chamonix for a guide briefing, questions and backpack preparation. Dinner independently.

Day 1: Aiguille de l’Index. Travel to the Flégère cable car and continue by chairlift towards Col des Fouets. A practical climbing and rope-skills session prepares you for the following days, including an ascent of the Index and an abseil descent. Overnight in Chamonix.

Day 2: Cosmiques or Lachenal ridge, followed by the Vallée Blanche. Take the Aiguille du Midi cable car, descend the snow ridge and complete the selected climb. Continue across the Vallée Blanche to Torino hut for the night.

Day 3: Rochefort Ridge. Cross the glacier towards Dent du Géant, pass below it and follow the narrow snow ridge. Three climbing pitches lead to Aiguille de Rochefort. Return by the same route. Overnight at Torino hut.

Day 4: Entrèves Ridge or Tour Ronde south-east ridge, according to conditions and the group’s preferences. Return to Aiguille du Midi by lift or on foot across the Vallée Blanche. Overnight in Chamonix.

Day 5: Papillons Ridge on Aiguille du Peigne. Take the Plan de l’Aiguille cable car and walk to the climb. Traverse four gendarmes, then abseil down and return to the cable car. Overnight in Chamonix and end of the activity.

Ask us for the detailed information sheet.

Further information

Further information

Further information

Further information

Further information

Further information

Level 3 Alpine programme

This progressive programme combines guided mountain routes with technical coaching, helping you improve your skills and make the most of your time in the Alps. Acclimatisation and preparation are built into the itinerary.

Mountain experience, good fitness and familiarity with technical equipment are required. Previous experience on an Alpine 4,000-metre peak provides a useful foundation. Ask us about preparation courses.

Your guide

Participants must have the physical and technical ability to move independently under the guide’s supervision. One high mountain guide accompanies one or two participants, knows the route and gives daily instructions according to conditions and safety considerations.

PirineoSur works with highly qualified professionals with extensive mountain experience and more than 30 years of professional activity in the Alps. They hold the qualifications required in Alpine countries including France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.

Guided mountaineering helps manage the risks and makes it easier to enjoy your trip, but no mountain activity is entirely risk-free.