Had a break from the website for a little while, but now back in Chamonix and in the middle of a long guiding stint to begin the season.
Last week my climbing guest was Aleks who came to climb Mont Blanc. It’s a great time of year in many respects, the lift and tram are closed at Les Houches so if you wish to climb by the classic gouter route then the options are limited.
Aleks was very keen for a pure ascent, walking from the valley to the Tete Rousse hut rather than taking taxi’s or lifts to reduce the ascent. The walk from Les Houches involves 2000m of ascent, which when combined with 1750m from the Tete Rousse the following day makes for a challenging outing.
In the end, a combination of weather, conditions and tired legs made us turn around, just 200m shy of the summit. It was the right decision though, and all so easy to push on after having put so much effort in to get that far.
We spent a night in the Gouter hut and descended to the valley the following morning.
Good effort Aleks – next time!
Dawn from the Dome du Gouter
Thunderstorms over the valley
On Mont Blanc du Tacul getting acclimitized.
Stormy mountain scenes from the Tete Rousse hut
Dawn over the Chamonix valley
Aleks in the cloud, having just turned around on the Gouter route
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