In 2022 I hiked the 170km Tour du Mont-Blanc, taking all the high alternates. The trail goes through three countries : France, Italy and Switzerland. It's traditionally hiked counter-clockwise from Les Houches.
Such a wonderfull adventure Gael! Great filming and editing and the scenery is incredible. The TMB really is an outstanding trail. Fantastic upload man!
Thanks! The TMB is incredible, I would hike it again anytime. And I was incredibly lucky with the weather and pleasantly surprised that it wasn't yet overcrowded in early July.
I did this in Sept 2012, but after Fenetre d'Arpette, we went down to Trient and did not do the upper variante to Refuge des Grandes (the rock "road" next to the sheer drop-off, 12:17 to 12:23). Looking back at my photos of my trip, it is sadly evident to me that the glaciers - as expected - have visibly receded within the past 11 years. :(
Yes it's sad to see how fast the glaciers are melting. I went to the Mer de glace when I was a kid and went back in 2012 and last year, it's impressive to see the difference.
Hey Gael, would you do the variants again? im starting out on the 1st of september and fell free to walk with me. i need one thing cleared up, you went from bonhomme over col des fours and down over de mottets? if so, how was the way down from col des fours? im asking since i wanna wild camp at lac du mya, so it the same way down, any ideas would could share? great video. thank you
Hi, Thanks, unfortunately I'll still be working in September. Hopefully I'll be hitting the trails again in October, probably in Korea. But September should be a great time to hike the trail. Still good weather and less crowds. The alternate I took didn't go by lac de Mya. On the first junction after col des Fours, I went East towards La ville des glaciers, and the lake is South. Though it might be a good spot for camping. The way down going this way was pretty easy. I'm not sure how good the trail going through Les Chapieux is... You'll have a great time on the TMB, enjoy 🙂
It was sometime tricky, because you can't pitch your tent in Switzerland and only above 2500m in Italy. So I mostly cowboy camped in those countries since I was incredibly lucky with the weather. There are also a few spots high enough in Italy (not a lot though!)
Hi - Beautiful video. But, I'm wondering which high routes you took. You showed the map of one of them. I'm wondering if you went over to Refuge Plan Glacier, and which route you took from Croix du Bonhomme. Did you go the high route to Refuge Robert La Blanc? I'm interested in these two high routes. Thanks!
Hi, thanks! On the first alternate I went through Miage, but didn't know about that extra side trip to Plan Glacier. I just looked it up, it looks pretty cool! Next time 😄 On the second alernate from Croix du Bonhomme, it does go through Refuge Robert Blanc. I used the Cicerone guide book on my hike and it was pretty good.
@@gaelchasingtrails2943 ...Hi thank you. I'm still trying to find a good video (in English) on Plan Glacier. It doesn't seem like many people take the route. For the other route, how was the hike from Croix du Bonhomme-Col des Four-Robert Blanc (high ridge) to Courmayeur? Any part was it real risky, a lot of exposure where a mistep could be fatal? How was the trail - easy to follow or route finding? I can't really find the trail in a Google satellite. I've mapped it out, but in an aerial image I don't see it. Any insight would be appreciated - thank you.
@@vickij8417 The trail is safe and pretty easy to follow. The one alternate that is a bit dodgy is the one going through Fenêtre d'Arpette. There were a few rocks falling down from the hikers in front of me. I would definitely not do this one in bad weather.
8 days will be hard if you never hiked before. There's a lot of elevation gain and loss everyday. But it's doable if you're in shape. A good way to save weight (and make the hike easier) is to stay in the refuges and eat there as well. This way you don't have to carry a tent/mattress and just need a little bit of food with you. Though it makes the hike much more expensive. But way easier. It's an amazing trail, hope you enjoy it!
