Dynamic Outdoors Summit Series: Mont Blanc
Chamonix, France
June 30 to July 8, 2007

Ice Trekking and Mountaineering Adventure:
Spend July 4 ascending the highest peak in Western Europe
(4,808 m / 15,774 ft)

The first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc was on August 8, 1786 by Jacques Balmat and the doctor Michel Paccard.
This climb, initiated by Horace-Bénédict de Saussure, who gave a reward for the successful ascent, traditionally marks the start of modern mountaineering. United States president to-be Theodore Roosevelt also led an expedition, reaching the summit in 1886.

General Itinerary:

Saturday, June 30: Recommended arrival date: Hotel check-in
Sunday, July 1: Relax and explore the town of Chamonix

Monday, July 2 to Friday, July 6:
5-Day Ice Trekking & Mountaineering Program & Summit of Mont Blanc

Saturday, July 7: Bad weather back up day or open day in Chamonix
Sunday, July 8: Return to US option 1 (or open day in Chamonix)
Monday, July 9: Return to US option 2 - hotel check-out and departure

Cost starting at $1,895 - if you make $1,000 deposit by May 10

Included:
- Internationally Licensed (IFMGA) Mountain Guides
- 5-Day Ice Trekking & Mountaineering Program
- 8 Nights Hotel Accommodations in Chamonix
- Cable Car & Ground Transfers in Chamonix
- 1 Night at Refuge before summit push
- 1 Guide per 2 clients ratio
- 8 Breakfasts at Hotel

Not Included:
- International airline ticket & transfer to Chamonix
(we recommend to book early and try to use frequent flyer miles)
- Gear rental, ice tools, boots, harness, etc
- Tips and expenses of personal nature
- Lunch and dinner

Questions/ RSVP: igorbass@dointernational.com

Mont Blanc - The Summit

The 5-Day Ice Trekking & Mountaineering Program - Summit Push:

Monday, July 2: Training Day 1 - Gear pick up, Basic Skill Tests, and Refresher Instructions
Check: how to trek and climb properly on a glacier with crampons and ice axe

Tuesday, July 3: Training Day 2 - Altitude Adjustment - Take your Basic Skills to the next level:
Acclimatizing at altitude on snow or mixed routes, examples:
Vallee Blanche traverse + ascent of the Aiguille de Toule
Petite Aiguille Verte

Wednesday, July 4: Training Day 3 - Altitude Adjustment - Advanced Skill Tests:
And again, acclimatizing at altitude on snow or mixed routes, examples:
Mont-Blanc du Tacul (if Mont-Blanc is to be attempted by the Gouter hut)
Crochues traverse

Thursday, July 5: Mont Blanc Summit Day - Overnight at Refuge

Friday, July 6: Summit Day 2 (bad weather back up date)

Getting there/ nearest Airports:
Geneva and/ or Lyon
also possible Zurich, Switzerland

Accommodations:
3-Star Hotel with daily breakfasts
Double occupancy

Personal insurance:
We highly recommend you to take out personal insurance: www.TravelEx.com

View from Summit - Mont Blanc

Normal Route:

1st day:
Bellevue (1850 m) by the les Houches cable car, Nid d’Aigle (2372 m) by the Mont-Blanc tramway, Tete Rousse hut (3167 m): 2 to 2 h 30,
then to the Gouter hut (3819 m): 2 to 3 hours.

2nd day:
From the Gouter hut to the Dome du Gouter: 2 h 30,
then to the Vallot hut (4362 m): 1 hour,
followed by the Bosses ridge to the summit : 1 h 30 to 2 hours.
Descent:
By the Aiguille du Gouter or by the Grands Mulets hut (3050 m) on the Plan de l’Aiguille.
Eventually the descent can be made by the traverse of Mont-Blanc, Mont-Maudit, Mont-Blanc du Tacul and return by the Aiguille du Midi cable car.

Traverse of Mont-Blanc
The Cosmiques hut allows the ascent of Mont-Blanc, climbing successively Mont-Blanc du Tacul, the Mont-Maudit and the Mont-Blanc by a logical and beautiful route.

1st day:
From the summit of the Aiguille du Midi cable - car, a short walk (less than 1 hour) allows us to reach the Cosmiques hut (3613 m).

2nd day:
Ascent of Mont-Blanc du Tacul (4200 m), then the shoulder of Mont-Maudit (4280 m), the Brenva pass and the summit of Mont-Blanc (4807 m) after 6 to 8 hours of ascent.
Descent by 2 routes:
Grands Mulets hut or Goûter hut depending on snow and glacier conditions, approximately 4 to 5 hours of descent.

Personal Equipment:
Rucksack/ medium size day pack
Head torch with new batteries
Jacket and pant (gore-tex / water proof !!)
Polar-fleece & warm / quick drying undergarment
Warm Hat & Warm gloves (2 pairs)
Gaiters & Thermos
Mountain snack food / Powerbars
Goggles, Sunglasses, and Sunscreen

Technical equipment:
Ice axe, crampons adapted to mountaineering boots; can be rented in any sport shop in Chamonix.
Your guide will provide your harness and rope.

Visiting Trekkers:** **

2007 Expedition add on - Gran Paradiso:
The Gran Paradiso (13,323 ft / 4,061 m) is the highest mountain group in the Graian Alps,
located in the Aosta Valley region of north-west Italy.
It is the only 4000 meters situated exclusively in Italian territory.

Chabod Refuge (at 2,750 m) & Virgin Mary statue at the summit (at 4,061 m)

Push to the summit (at 4,061 m)

View from the summit...