Mont Blanc Journal

Paul’s journal of his Mont Blanc guided tour from Mont Blanc Treks with 9 other hikers in July 2025. The hike passed through France, Italy and Switzerland with a total of 107 miles and 10,000 feet of elevation gain over 10 days.

July 1. Chamonix to Les Houches (13km, 700m ascent, 1500m descent)

Our group of ten hikers setting out from Planpraz

July 2. Les Houches to Les Contamines (13km, 800m ascent, 1300m descent)

River crossing

July 3. Les Contamines to Refuge Nova (20km, 1500m ascent, 900m descent)

View from Col du Bonhomme

July 4. Refuge Nova to Courmayeur (14km, 700m ascent, 700m descent)

The five surviving hikers who made it to the Col de Seigne

July 6. Courmayeur to Val Ferret (19km, 750m ascent, 350m descent)

Val Ferret from the South

July 7. Val Ferret to La Fouly (20km, 900m ascent, 1400m descent)

Magnificent beasts (and noisy)

July 8. La Fouly to Champex-Lac (15km, 420m ascent, 570m descent)

Evening stroll around Champex-Lac

July 9. Champex-Lac to Trient (18km, 750m ascent, 950m descent)

Early morning departure from Trient

July 10. Trient to Argentiere (13km, 900m ascent, 900m descent)

Mont Blanc Massif

July 11. Argentiere to Chamonix (13km, 900m ascent, 900m descent)

Very proud to have made it all the way on my first multi-day hike

The Cast

  • Tom, our Welsh guide. His 56th time guiding the tour of Mont Blanc, so vastly experienced, known and welcomed at all the refuges.
  • Amber and Joe. Immigrated from Taiwan to New Brunswick Canada some time ago.
  • Penny (Penelope). Australian, experienced, belongs to her local Bush Hiking club.
  • Diane. American, very strong hiker seems to spend all her time hiking around Europe.
  • Dennis. My American Room mate. Experienced, but recovering from health problems.
  • Ottowa. Four members of a Canadian family that hikes every year. Lyn (grandmother), her sons Richard and Micheal, Jocelyn (Richard’s teenage daughter). A fun bunch.