CLIMBING MONT-BLANC

Our Mont-Blanc 6-days program consists of 2 days of preparation with an ascent of another 4,000 m peak. We’ve planned this program to help your body adapt to the altitude and the effort involved. We also provide training in mountaineering techniques. You can perfect or learn crampon technique, ice axe use, etc.

• Now, how to get physically ready for ascending the highest summit of Europe? There is no magic here; it requires steady training, cardio, and stamina. We recommend to start training as soon as possible, the earliest the better. Started training a month before your ascent, will not get you the resilience you need (plus you are taking the risk to get tired and injure yourself). Getting there is a real journey (physically and mentally), the most important thing is to be able to hike during 10 to 15 hours with a backpack.

• An effective training program for a Mont-Blanc ascent should be composed of endurance training with strength session as well. Practicing different sports is a great training, indeed, you get to train every muscle, it is also a nice to  diversify your practice.  Your training should increase slowly and getting harder from weeks to weeks, without forgetting some rest days. Example: If you train 3 times per week, we recommend 2 running practices and 1 session of cardio, cycling, swimming, cross country skiing, hiking, etc.

• If you are a beginner, we recommend to start with short trainings and increase the amount of work gradually. The goal would be to train 2/3 times per week (example: 2-3 hours of cycling, 10-15km of running). That kind of practice will train your endurance and cardio at the same time. And will help your body to acclimatize faster when you will get over 3000m. What about fitness and working out? If you would like to you can add strenght sessions in order to get stronger and be able to carry your bag without struggling for 10-15 hours. 

• From 4 to 5 months prior your departure, we recommend to practice hiking or running with significant elevation. You must be able to hike 1500m elevation without struggling. If you are not used to start with very little elevation such as 300m-400m, and then progressively you can increase this amount. If you happen to live in a city and going to the mountains is not easy for you. You can practice in long stairs or steep streets with a backpack.

• From 2-3 months prior the adventure, going on long hikes with high elevation and your backpack is highly recommended.

  Please note that everyone is different and practices differently. Someone who is used to trail running or marathon will not have the same training than someone who does not practice those sports.