When should I go? The common trekking season is from June to August, we prefer to go
right at the end of this period or even into September as this is when the trails are less
crowded.
Where will we sleep? There are a range of options for accommodation – we like to sleep out
in tents or under the stars to really immerse ourselves. Interspersed with nights in mountain
lodges and hotels this provides variety and a thorough Mont Blanc experience.
What equipment should I take? Sturdy books with ankle support that you’ve broken in on
your training walks, walking poles for support, emergency comms and money, a comfortable
backpack with the essentials: including water purification and first aid supplies. A full kit list
with recommendations is provided and you can also check out Mat’s bag packing video for
more top kit tips.
What will we eat? Food will be top end dehydrated ration packs and snacks for the journey.
How hard is it? The trails are easy to follow as they are well marked. The TMB is usually
graded as moderate to challenging due to some of the ascents. Varying number of walking
and recovery days built into your itinerary are an easy way to adapt it to the fitness of your
group.
How long will we walk for each day? On average we walk for 5 to 8 hours per day.
Do I need to be able to climb? You won’t need any technical climbing skills but you will need
to be prepared to scramble over uneven and exposed terrain, plus cope with changing
weather conditions and through steep ascents and decents. The main issues you will
probably encounter on the TMB are not much to do with the difficulty of the route as there is
no hands on rock climbing or glacial traverses (unless you do the Haute route). Instead you
will mostly encounter wear and tear on your body such as blisters, sores and muscle fatigue.
Make sure you are free of injury before you attend this trip; spend at least a month on a low
sugar diet and stay well hydrated.
Is altitude sickness a potential issue? The TMB is not a high-altitude route so you are
unlikely to suffer from altitude sickness but you will be carrying your pack with you which will
include a tent, sleeping bag and food for the duration of the walk. Keeping hydrated is key to
ensuring you stay healthy on the trail and is a big factor in combatting mild altitude sickness.
How can I prepare for this expedition? Be prepared for the TMB by walking regularly and try
to do walks that include positive elevation in it. Be regular and consistent to build endurance.
Train with a pack weighing 12-15kgs to make sure you can carry the kit on your journey and
get a pack that is itself light but comfortable.
Price: £2,200
Some people can run the TMB in under 25 hours! So give us a call to see what level of fitness the team is and how you want to do it. To give you a guage, a lovely trip of approx. 1000 vertical m a day and under 20km per day is done in 7-9 days with a rest day in the middle.
Experience Mountain Guide accompanying you on your journey, Maps, Accommodation, food
Personal kit, rucksack, travel to and from the start point.
