Climbing Mont Blanc, anyone done it?

ej2222

Like the titles says I'm considering ascending mont blanc and just wondering if any young irish people have hit it? I don't have any friends that would do it with me so id be alone in a group, which doesn't really bother me but i was wondering if anyone else had experienced this?

SomeFool

Have a search of the forum, there are a couple of threads already here with loads of info. Alpine climbing of any kind is worth it

ej2222

Cheers! Don't know what happened me that I thought there wouldn't be any threads already haha

CardinalJ

Im planning on doing it next year.

A lot of the guide companies do Grand Paradiso in Italy first and then Mt Blanc a few days after. Those companies seem to be pricier but you get to go above 4000 on two different mountains, so unless you just want to do Mt B to say youve done it I think its worth the money.

Im looking at it as an opportunity improve my mountain skills so aam leaning towards this option.

ej2222

I'm sort of the same, I've walked a lot in the hills but this summer I trekked in Nepal and now I'm bitten by the bug and want to get a bit more experience at altitude, don't know how to prepare best for it or anything though

Carawaystick

I'd practice moving roped up having a rope and harness and carrying loops. It takes a while not to get all tangled up/slow to get going again until you're methodical and used to it.
and scrambling on more exposed ridges here - Beenkeragh to Carrauntuthail- aroung to the Big Gun to get used to exposure
Or Carrot Ridge in Conemara
Or up the South Prison of Lug.

I heard the Grand Couloir is a bit more hairy these days with falling rock, but haven't been in 15 years or so.
Other than that the normal route isn't very difficult ( in good conditions - before the danger pedants jump on my back again)

http://www.travellingforfun.com/how-to-climb-mont-blanc-chamonix-france

ej2222

Thanks. I'm actually based in Florence this year so I'm hoping I'll have a chance to hit the alps a bit you sound like you're well travelled uphill haha I was thinking of trying it from the Italian side, but I'll have to look into it more.
You've made me think I should try out some mountain skills courses and a few long weekends just walking in the alps before I get much further

Carawaystick

Monte Bianco is a much more serious proposition than Mont Blanc...