Challanges in climbing Mont Blanc

"Is it hard?" That's what newbies ask when looking to climb a big mountain. Of course, such questions are pointless. Let's look at the kind of experience you need to scale the hightest peak in Western Europe and the problems that may arise.

"What experience do I need to climb Mont Blanc?"
Usually, we tell people that a Mont Blanc climb shouldn't be their first 4000 meter peak. Instead, try a few Wallis 4000-ers [link a /weissmies túrára] first, or alternatively, the nearby and very crowded Gran Paradiso (4061 m) in Italy. As far as technical experience, you need to be familiar with the use of crampons and self arrest with an ice axe, but these will be reviewed.

Let's look at some challanges you may face:

1. Cold: Even during high season, which is mid June to early September, you can have very chilly mornings. On a recent summit climb, it was -11 deg. Celsius all the way from Goutier Hut to summit. Of course, it got quite warm and sloppy on the way down, but climbing in cold, dry air can wear you out if you don't have proper equipment.

The most important pieces of equipment in this respect are boots-socks and your gloves. The upper body tends not to get so cold when climbing uphill because of the obvious physical effort AND your backpack warming your back. But make sure you have good boots with good hiking socks that keep your feet dry. And have good gloves as well - wind resistant and waterproof.

Cold on your Mont Blanc climb can also be a challange when you work up a sweat going uphill and - lacking adequate base layers - the moisture isn't driven away from your skin, keeping it wet. A real easy way to catch a cold. Your Mont Blanc mountain guide can give you more than a few good tips on how to equip yourself.

2. Crowds: Let's face it, it's one of the world's most popular mountaineering destinations. If you go in high season, it'll always be busy. Unless, of course, the weather is crap. On the higher parts of the mountain, it's not as problematic, except on the summit ridge. On the lower parts, where you have via ferrata-like wires on large boulders, crowds can cause rockfall and be annoying. So, you have to put up with this. Or, you don't have to, you may opt to climb Mont Blanc with a mountain guide out of season.

Crowds are most annoying on the evening of your summit bid at Goutier Hut. There, it's extremely crowded and it's highly likely, that you won't get a room. That means sleeping in the dining room on the floor on a mattress. It's a unique experience in itself. French guides and happy clients will be loud and party. Don't expect much sleep here. You have to get going at 2AM anyway. As an alternative, pitch a tent just above the hut. Lots of people do, you won't be alone. You can still enjoy the convenience of the nearby hut. The obvious downside to this is having to carry camping gear up to 3800 m.

3. Altitude: this one's obvious. It's a high mountain at over 4800 meters. That's why I wrote this shouldn't be your first 4000er. In order to increase your chances on the mountain, you should book your mountain guide so that you acclimatise prior to hitting the mountain.

All in all, Climbing Mont Blanc - even with a Mountain Guide is a serious endevour - prepare for it the best you can and don't be shy about getting help.