Glacier hike with Evolution 2 Chamonix
🔵 MER DE GLACE - discover glacier hiking
Discover the Mer de Glace, the last big glacier in the Alps!
Take an interest and learn about its evolution whilst observing the majestic peaks of the Mont Blanc massif that surround it, as well as the imposing seracs of the Glacier du Géant.
Your guide will teach you how to use crampons that allow you to walk on ice as well try ice climbing with ice axes: your first steps as a mountaineer!
🎥 Discover the glacier hike on video
- Details about your glacier hike:
- Level required: Good physical condition required (being able to hike at altitude for a full day). No mountaineering experience is required.
- Minimum age: from 12 years old.
- Duration: 1 day
- Meeting point: Montenvers train station in Chamonix
- Options: book your discovery hike as a group or with a private instructor.
- Program of the day in detail :
🚅 Ascent by train to the top station of the Montenvers at 1930 meters above sea level (30 minutes)
🚶Walk on a path then along a cliff equipped with ladders and cables to reach the glacier 45 min to 1 hour walk (Ladders closed for the summer 2022, you will have to take the cable car). Here the ice is covered with stones. Walk an additional 15 minutes to reach the ice. Get equipped with crampons then walk towards the Moulin (an ice canyon that has been naturally created by a river and ends where the water disappears and plunges into the heart of the glacier.)
🏔️ Depending on the conditions, the guide can then let you try ice climbing and / or continue the hike towards the junction of the Leschaux glacier. This leaves about an hour on the glacier before taking the way back.
⏲️ Count approximatively 5 to 6 hours of walking. This itinerary is given as an indication. It can be modified to suit the conditions of the glacier and your level.
🔴 VALLEE BLANCHE - sporty glacier hiking
➡️ From the Aiguille du Midi:
This is the most mythical and majestic glacier hike in Chamonix: the “Vallée Blanche”! A hike at an altitude of 3400 meters with an exceptional panorama of the most beautiful Italian and French peaks.
You will cross the Vallée Blanche and Géant glaciers between the Aiguille du Midi and Helbronner to reach Italy.
- Details about your glacier hike:
- Required level: a good physical condition and not be sensitive to vertigo. You will have to descend the ridge of the Aiguille du Midi which can be impressive if you are subject to it. You will be roped together, 2 pers per guide.
- Duration: one day
- Meeting point: In front of the Vertical café at the bottom of the Aiguille du Midi cable car.
- Program of the day in detail:
🚠 Meet your mountain guide at the bottom of the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Have a short briefing and take the cable car to reach an altitude of 3842 metres.
🏔️ Once at the top, descend the snowy ridge equipped with crampons and roped up to reach the glacier / Cross the Vallée Blanche and Géant glaciers / Walk among the seracs* and up the Italian side to Pointe Helbronner.
👀 The magnificent view of the Matterhorn and Mote Rosa awaits you on the Italian side
🚠 Return to the Aiguille du Midi with the Panoramic Mont Blanc gondola, descent to Chamonix by cable car.
* A serac is a block or column of glacial ice, often formed by intersecting crevasses on a glacier.
➡️ From Pointe Helbronner (Italy):
Admire the breathtaking view of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks over 4000 meters. With your guide, set off on a glacier hike in this high mountain universe, between seracs and crevasses, and reach the Aiguille du Midi in France.
- Details about your glacier hike:
- Level required: glacier hike without great technical difficulty, beginners are accepted however, the altitude and the distance covered require you to be in good physical condition.
- Duration: 1 day
- Meeting place: usually Chamonix Sud with an organized transport to Italy.
- Program of the day in detail:
🚉 Meet your high mountain guide in Chamonix Sud at the bus station.🚌 Travel by bus to the start of the Skyway cable car in Courmayeur, just at the exit of the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
🚠 Ascent the Skyway (cable car) to Pointe Helbronner.
🏔️Roped up glacier walk towards the Aiguille du Midi in the very heart of the high mountains, between seracs and crevasses. You will be surrounded by peaks more than 4000 meters high.
🚠 Then go back up to Helbronner and go back down the Skyway cable car to return to Chamonix through the Mont Blanc tunnel.
