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| This was the route used by Jacques Balmat and Doctor Paccard for the first ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786. It is the most direct route to the summit from the Valley of Chamonix. The Aiguille du Midi tramway bypasses this route and provides a more direct ascent beginning at high altitude, replacing several hours of hiking. |
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| This is the most popular route today. The ascent begins at the Nid d'Aigle (the Eagle's Nest, 2373 m), and is completed in two days, with a short nights' stop at the refuge du Gouter (3819 m). A 2:00 a.m. wake-up is followed by a 5 or 6 hour hike to the summit. The route passes the Vallot refuge, then follows the Bosses arrete that leads to the summit of Mont Blanc. To descend, you can follow the same route, or the route that stops at the Grands Mulets refuge (3050 m) and the Plan de l'Aiguille (2317 m), which is the first leg of the Aiguille du Midi tramway that will bring you straight back to Chamonix. |
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| This itinerary begins at the Aiguille du Midi (3842 m) and continues with the ascension of the shoulder of the Mont Blanc du Tacul, the Mont Maudit (the Cursed Mountain), reaching the Rochers Rouges (Red Rocks) and going on to the summit of Mont Blanc. This route can be completed in a day by leaving on the first tram of the morning, but you must be in very good physical condition. More often, the refuge des Cosmiques, just below the Aiguille du Midi, is the stop for a short nights' sleep, before a hike above 4000 m and an incredible sunrise. |
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| This itinerary is most popular amongst ski touring groups at the end of winter and springtime. The trails begins at the Plan de l'Aiguille, the first leg of the Aiguille du Midi Tramway (2317 m) and passes under the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, then traverses the glacier des Bossons at the Junction, continues on to the Grands Mulets refuge, perched on the rocks and surrounded by ice. From the refuge, the ascent traverses the Grand Plateau, passes by the Vallot refuge, then rejoins the Aiguille du Gouter itinerary for the last 500 meters altitude to the summit. The descent on skis or by foot follows the same route. |
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