Post on 08-Mar-2016
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Mt Blanc Trekking
The TMB, Europe’s greatest walkThe European Alps offer some of the most spectacular and enjoyable walking in the world and this adventure
offers the chance to combine three countries into one trip as we cross the rugged Alps from Switzerland to
France and Italy. The trek around Mt. Blanc is one of Europe's best mountain walks and you'll get a chance to
appreciate the different cultures, foods and peoples whilst you hike through glorious Alpine scenery.
The spectacular circuit around Mont-‐Blanc, one of the world's classic hikes, demands some respect. From the
massif of Mont Blanc (4801m-‐ the highest mountain in western Europe), seven valleys extend
into France, Italy and Switzerland. Each valley retains its own unique culture, architecture and
landscape and it's through these valleys we will hike. Each day we hike up to the ridges and
descend into valleys below, with Ome to enjoy views of glaciers, green mountain meadows and
snow capped peaks.
Mt Blanc Trek
VARIETY 3 COUNTRIES, ENDLESS VISTAS, WILDLIFE, HISTORYFOOD AND CULTURE ARE WHAT MAKES THE TMB UNIQUE
MONT BLANC MASSIF The TMB is a circuit around the Mt. Blanc Massifand is usually walked in a anti - clockwise directionbut can be done in either. Allow a full 10/11 days to walk the complete circuit.
Food - a real highlight! Unlike many other high mountain treks where you have to eat
whatever is to hand and it’s oRen quite basic, the food on the TMB is
a real treat and a highlight of the trip. France is jusOfiably famous for
it’s cuisine and cheeses, there is ample opportuniOes to sample the
renowned mountain cheese that are produced here. At the end of
along day’s trek call into a rusOc mountain farmhouse and sample
their award winning cheese then wash it down with a glass of Gamay
or a boUle of 1664 beer!
The refugios that we stay at serve us breakfast and dinner, and
whilst the breakfasts tend to be quite simple ( we supplement with
our own supplies and fresh fruit) the dinners are a more elaborate 3
or 4 course affair of local produce-‐ delicious! We take picnic lunches
outdoors and every day buy fresh supplies so that you can make
delicious bagueUes crammed with several varieOes of local meats,
cheeses and fresh vegetables.
Many refugios along the route offer fresh baked tarts of local berries and coffee or tea to your taste. And
once you’ve worked up an appeOte trekking through the mountains it always tastes beUer than usual. Another
nice aspect of the Tour de Mont Blanc is the availability of alcohol and other drinks at the end of the day. Where
else in the world could you expect to find a fresh espresso or draught Belgian beer at the top of a 2,500m pass?
In a word -‐ Superb!
Mt Blanc Treks
How hard is the TMB to walk?The TMB presents a decent challenge to walk in it’s en6rety and you should possess a reasonably good level of
fitness and mountain walking competence to tackle it. There are a combined 9,500m of ascents and a similar
amount of descents over the complete circuit.
The passes or Cols as they are known locally vary from 2,400 to 2665m depending on the route chosen
( there are one or two variaOons on offer with certain secOons) and typically take an hour or two of steady
ascent to get over. Trail condiOons are generally good and paths are easy to follow for the most part, with
waymarkers placed at forks or juncOons.
You should be prepared to walk for 5 -‐7 hours each day and it’s essenOal that your preparaOon
for the trip include walks of this duraOon over steep mountain terrain with the gear you’ll take to
Mont Blanc. The trip is definitely a good challenge for a person of average walking ability and you
will get a great sense of achievement from compleOng it. There is a support vehicle that is used to
transport our main luggage each day and you can also opt to have a rest day at any Ome by skipping
a secOon and riding in the van.
Mt Blanc Treks
Great Ocean Walk
Mt Blanc treks
REFUGIOS Refuigios are your mountaintop home on the TMBOften quite basic with dorm beds they are in stunning locations
ALPINE WILDFLOWERSTHE TMB presents a riot of spectacular colour in
the early months of
summer as the Alpine wildflowers come into
bloom. It can only be described as an
explosion of life as the
hillsides are thickly carpeted with a blaze of
flowers of every type and colour.
Alpine wildflowers are among nature's greatest
anomalies. They grow in some of the planet's
harshest environments,
though they appear as fragile as rice paper and
are extremely vulnerable to hikers' boots.
Forget-‐me-‐nots, GenOans, Globeflowers,
Daisies, Orchids, Genepi (from which the local
digesOf is made, a great
aRer dinner drink!) Other Alpine flowers are
collected and used for their delicate perfume.
June and Early July offer the best Ome to see the
Alpine flora, which has to be seen to be believed.
Great Ocean Walk
Meet the local residents!The TMB is very unique by way of the fact that it passes through 3 different countries: France, Switzerland and Italy, each with it’s own distinct culture and traditions. This can be reflected through the historical architecture of Baroque French churches of Haute Savoie or the unmistakeable Swiss cottages bedecked with flowers which you’ll pass through in the valleys, walking through the narrow village streets is a delight.
The refuges that we stay at are often family run affairs and reflect the mountain culture of the people and give you glimpse of what once was a hard and spartan life. Old farming implements now adorn farm refuges as decorations and sometimes your accommodation may have been a former milking shed. In some French refuges you may be lucky enough to have the local patron entertain you with an accordion after dinner and listen to your fellow hikers sing along!
The other locals that you’ll meet are the Alpine wildlife such as the prolific marmots, ibex and the rarer Chamois which inhabit the high alpine slopes. It’s not uncommon to see ibex up close as you trek in the valleys above Chamonix.
Mt. Blanc Treks
When To Go?The TMB has a limited season from Mid June to September when the snow is clear from the high passes.
The high mountain areas have their own disOncOve climates, with heavier precipitaOon and generally colder temperatures than the rest of the country throughout the year. At elevaOons of 1500 m and above, snow will usually remain on the ground from November unOl as late as May or June, parOcularly in areas above 2000 m. In summer, the climate is generally hot and sunny in the lower valleys, with temperatures in mid -‐ high 20s and pleasantly cool higher up.
Mt Blanc trek
Great Ocean Walk
Notare quam littera gothica 2009Mt. Blanc Treks www.rawtravel.com