ski touring: mont blanc ascent

We’ll meet at Les Houches to check everyone’s equipment. We’ll then take the aiguille cable car up to Le Plan. The adventure begins with a long traverse, then come the first steps on the Bossons glacier and the final climb up to the Grands Mulets refuge.

900m ascent

Meal and overnight at the Grands Mulets refuge.

Your guide will choose the best option for reaching the summit, either via the classic plateau route or the more technical Dôme du Goûter north ridge, which will take us to the Vallot shelter (4,362m). From the shelter, depending on the conditions, return to the summit on foot via the Bosses ridge or we’ll climb up the Bosses ridge and ski down the north face. Whatever the conditions, descend via the Grand and Petit Plateau to reach the Refuge des Grands Mulets.

Altitude difference: +1750m / - 1750m

Night at the Grands Mulets refuge

Depending on snow conditions, we’ll return to the valley by the same route or by the long descent to the Mont Blanc tunnel.

Descent: 900m or 1700m

End of our trip late afternoon in Chamonix.

NB : The programme is intended as a guide only. It could be modified at any time by the mountain guide for safety reasons, weather conditions or regarding the physical and technical level of the skiers.

You’re a good ski tourer and you train throughout the season, but you’re less familiar with the very high mountains and their dangers. If you want to explore a new dimension of high-altitude skiing, this course is for you.
Our guide will show you the different ways of skiing on a glacier and help you choose the right itinerary for the conditions.

2 participants maximum. Departure is guaranteed from 1 participant. You will be notified at least 7 days before departure in the event of cancellation. Where possible, an alternative solution will be offered.

NB : For cancellation conditions for privatised trips (made up groups) please refer to our conditions of sale.

Please note that we offer some of this equipment for rental, they are indicated by a * in the list below, you will find rental prices in the "Gear rental and extras prices" section.

Equipment rental and changes are only possible before payment of the balance of your booking (45 days before departure). We advise you to take the time, as soon as you register, to list the equipment you already have or which can be lent to you. Any equipment initially rented from ROC ECRINS even not taken on the day of departure must be paid for.

The head

• Sunglasses class 4*protective lenses
• Ski goggles
• A mountaineering or skiing helmet*
• A warm hat
• Sunscreen high protection (30 and 50)

The body

• A mountain rucksack * suitable to carry skis if necessary, approx. 25 litres
• A long-sleeved top, prefer merino wool to synthetic fabrics as the are more breathable
• A fleece or soft shell jacket
• A warm down jacket
• A Gore-tex waterproof jacket*to protect against rain, snow and wind
• An avalanche transceiver (avalanche transceiver) + shovel* and probe*.
• Airbag backpack

Hands

• A pair of thin leather ou fleece gloves and a warmer pair with a waterproof membrane

Legs

• Ideally a Gore-tex type ski trousers *with with long side zips. For cold days, a long warm underwear may be worn underneath

The feet

• Ski touring skis *
• Ski skins* in good condition
• Ski crampons* suitable for your bindings
• Ski touring boots
  
• Telescopic ski poles*
• A spare pair of socks

Miscellaneous

• Bring containers for around 2 litres of water, ideally a one-litre bottle plus smaller ones to keep warm and close to your body in your jacket.
• Small knife
• Small thermos flask
• Camera
• Small first-aid kit adapted to your personal needs, also containing elastoplast and double-skin dressings for any blisters.

This list is not exhaustive and should be completed with all what you may specifically need.

Ski touring is dependent on different factors that we can sometimes neither anticipate nor control; we may therefore have to modify the programme of our high mountain holidays before or during the stay for various reasons:

• if the weather and/or snow conditions make it impossible to carry out the planned programme and/or
• if there is a delay in the opening or early closure of a ski lift or refuge

In these cases, we will offer you an alternative programme, sometimes on the day of departure, which you may not refuse.

Ski touring, as all mountain activities have some level of risk particularly of avalanche or injury in the event of a fall.
To reduce the hazards that they are exposed to skiers must follow the safety instructions given by the instructor.

You must be aware of these risks and accept them when booking.

No medical certificate required to take part in our trips, but it may be useful to check with your doctor that you have no contraindications (particularly in the case of chronic illness) to physical activity in the high mountains.

If you are undergoing any particular treatment, please let us know so that we can take appropriate measures if necessary.

Altitude can cause acute mountain sickness when you are not sufficiently acclimatised, also known as AMS. In most cases, it is accompanied by headaches, nausea and a general feeling of discomfort, but in the most serious cases it can lead to pulmonary or cerebral oedema, requiring an immediate descent.

This tour is aimed at skiers with a good level of skiing in all types of snow and good experience of ski touring, particularly kick-turn. Steep slopes, technical sections, crampons and ice axe use possible.

A very good level of fitness is essential skiing at such high altitude (1750m). This tour is only suitable for skiers who do regular endurance training.

N.B.: If you do not have the required level, the guide may ask you to leave the course for the safety of the whole group.

By state-certified mountain guides or trainees mountain guides (aspirant guides) from the Roc Écrins team. They will have a VHF radio connected to the emergency services, a satellite phone or a mobile phone. They will also have a collective first-aid kit.

*A trainee mountain guide is a guide in training who is authorised to work and supervise climbs from their third year of training. They are not beginners, as it takes several years of practice and training to build up a list of routes and have the experience and technical level required to enter the mountain guide training course.

As a travel agency, we have our own professional liability insurance.
To take part in one of our stays , you must have individual civil liability insurance, covering you in the event of damage caused to others. In addition, you must be properly insured for the chosen activity and covered for (rescue and repatriation costs) in the event of an incident or accident occurring during the course. It is your responsibility to check the cover offered by your personal insurance policy. If you do not already have such insurance, you can take out one of the policies we offer:

-* ASSISTANCE’ insurance, covering repatriation, rescue and search costs and interruption of stay, represents 2.6% of the price of the holiday. 
-* ‘MULTIRISK’ insurance covering rescue and search costs, repatriation, cancellation, loss of luggage and interruption of holiday, represents 5.6% of the price of the holiday. 
-* For non-European residents, ‘ASSISTANCE for non-European Union citizens’ insurance, covering rescue and search costs and interruption of stay, represents €10 per day.

At the refuge des Grands Mulets, at 3051 m. No shower or washbasin.
Overnight accommodation in a dormitory. Bring a sheet bag for sleeping, duvets and blankets are provided.

Transfers from the meeting point to the start of the climb will be provided by participants in their own vehicles.

From the Motorway (Autoroute Blanche - A40/E25/E712) towards Chamonix, take the first exit "Les Houches-Centre Prarion-Bellevue" (D213). Follow the road to the centre of Les Houches where you will arrive in front of the Bellevue cable car.

• Mountain guiding service , including their meals, overnight accommodation
• Half board accommodation in mountain hut from the first evening to breakfast on day 3 (overnight + evening meal + breakfast)
• picnic lunch
• Cable car ticket
• Organisation and reservations (accommodation, guide, equipment) of your stay

Lorsque nous allons en montagne, nous sortons de la société que nous connaissons pour nous retrouver dans un milieu encore un peu épargné par les activités humaine. La montagne est singulière puisqu’elle est le symbole d’une liberté. En effet c’est un lieu où quiconque peut s’exprimer, gravir, sauter, glisser, vivre, partager et plus encore. Que notre objectif soit un sommet, une ligne ou simplement la découverte des paysages, nous profitons tous d’un moment privilégié avec la Nature. Pour garder cet espace de vie aussi beau et le conserver il faut aussi en prendre soin et savoir vivre avec tous les acteurs de la montagne.

UN ENVIRONNEMENT FRAGILE, pour le préserver quelques simples règles de bonne conduite : rester sur les sentiers, ne rien prélever, ne rien jeter et se faire discret tant vis à vis de la faune qu’à l’égard des autres randonneurs et alpinistes. La montagne est l’un des derniers lieux silencieux, et ce silence est un trésor à chérir, à respecter et à partager !

EN MONTAGNE, vous ferez cordée avec votre guide, vos amis ou d’autres personnes que vous ne connaissez pas, tous unis par un même objectif. L’entre-aide est de mise, au sein du groupe mais aussi vis à vis de quiconque aurait besoin d’aide. Pensez au sens de « circulation » : Ceux qui descendent laissent passer ceux qui montent.

EN REFUGE aussi, il est important de respecter certaines règles de savoir-vivre pour garantir une cohabitation harmonieuse. Vous devrez vous déchausser pour monter dans les dortoirs, des crocs sont prévus à cet effet.
N’oubliez pas que les réveils sont en général très matinaux alors soyez discret. Au réveil, il est d’usage de plier sa couverture.

Au moment du DÉBRIEFFING de la journée, il est d’usage d’offrir un verre au groupe pour apaiser les moments de doutes, de peurs, et/ou fêter le sommet, revivre les moments forts, drôle et joyeux de la journée. Et, si le coeur vous en dit, à la fin de votre séjour, vous pouvez remercier votre guide avec un petit pourboire, une tradition ancienne mais bien sûr non obligatoire.

To book your trip :

• complete the pre-registration form online
• You will receive a booking contract by email. It sets out the details of your booking as well as the schedule and payment terms.
• On receipt of this contract, the deposit of 30% must be payed within 4 days in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the contract. Your registration can only be confirmed when the deposit has been payed.
• The balance must be paid 45 days before the departure. Please note that any balance not paid within 45 days of departure will be considered as a cancellation of your booking. Financial withholding would therfore be applied in accordance with our terms and conditions of sale.
• For a of a booking made less than 45 days before departure, the total amount of the booking must be paid on receipt of the booking contract in accordance with the terms and conditions set out therein.