The Biggest Mistakes People Make Preparing for Mont Blanc

Not Enough Training.

As mountain adventures like climbing Mont Blanc are becoming more popular, it’s easy to assume they’re becoming easier. The reality is they’re not. Mont Blanc is a serious mission. Standing at 4,808m tall, Mont Blanc is the highest peak in Western Europe. It is not only a physical challenge in the cardiovascular sense, but a technical one too. Add in the altitude and you’ve got some heavy factors to deal with. Reaching the summit is definitely achievable for anyone with a high level of fitness, but it does require preparation and training. We will always give clients realistic expectations of what to expect, and provide training support for those who would like guidance on how to have the best chance at summit success.

Packing Too Much.

The statement less is more has never been truer. In reality, you never wear as many clothes as you think you are going to on any adventure trip. You’re in it for the adventure and sometimes that means not changing your pants! When you’re ascending to 4000+ and your quads are burning, it’s amazing what is no longer a priority! We have a comprehensive kitlist here to make sure our clients have everything they need. Nothing more, nothing less.

Not Testing Kit.

Trust us, we know how fun it is to buy new kit! But, as lovely and shiny as it is new, it needs to be tested before you come on your mountaineering adventure. Train with the backpack and boots you plan to wear. Know that your back and feet will be happy, long before you start up the mountain!

Choosing the Right Food.

Fuelling up is essential for any mountain trip. But, when you’re climbing Mont Blanc, the summit window can be short and so time is of the essence. This means snacks that are high energy and easy to eat are an important part of getting through your adventure. And, making sure you’re well fed the night before your summit day.

Not Knowing How Altitude Affects You.

Not essential but definitely helpful. Altitude is a funny thing. How it affects people is unpredictable, and even if you’re extremely fit, you might still face difficulties. To counter this, we include Gran Paradiso summit as part of our Mont Blanc Summit experience, in order to assess everyone’s reactions to altitude and to allow for acclimatisation. However, try and expose yourself to some higher altitudes during your training either by going to high altitude locations or by using companies such as The Altitude Centre. 

These mistakes are easily avoided and that’s why we speak with all of our clients before they head out to the mountains, to make sure they are ready for their big adventure! If you have any questions, we are here to guide you.