B2R Alpine Adventure to Mont Blanc 2022

B2R crew at top of Mont Blanc
Left to right: Luke, Callie, Sam and Steve

B2R headed to Chamonix, France to embark on a 6 day mountaineering challenge in the alps with the ultimate goal of summiting the top of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe, reaching the height of 4,810m.

Luke and Callie arriving in Chamonix from Switzerland on the Mont Blanc Express.

Climbing Mont Blanc is no easy feat and should be taken very serious with some hair raising terrain to negotiate. Thankfully, we had experienced guides to help teach us the essential skills of learning how to walk/climb in mountaineering boots and crampons, use an ice-axe and ensuring each person’s safety on the mountain.

To develop our mountaineering skills and acclimatise to high altitude, we were first put to the test of climbing Italy’s tallest mountain, Gran Paradiso, at 4061m. But with much anticipated excitement and enthusiasm there were a few sore heads from sampling the local beverages the night before. Despite this, we headed into Italy to the Grand Paradiso National Park and hiked up to the Refugio Vittori Emanuelle II hut at 2732m for a nights stay.

Rigfugio Vitori Emanuelle II hut in the far distance, us in front.

The next morning we had an early start with breakfast at 4:00am and out the door, suited and booted, by 4:45am. This was to ensure better hiking conditions before the snow would start to soften and melt, making it much more difficult and unsafe to walk on.

Steve, Luke, Callie and Sam taking a celebratory photo on the Gran Paradiso summit.

Here is us from the back (look up!), as well as the rest of our team.

After a gruelling couple of days of climbing, a much needed rest and recovery day was welcomed, but first a fun morning of climbing practice at the local outdoor climbing wall.

The anticipation was finally over and the time had come to begin the 3 day climb up Mont Blanc. We were going to be put to the ultimate test of using our new found mountaineering skills as well as mastering rucksack packing (most challenging of all!).

By the afternoon, we reached the first hut, Tete Rousse, at 3167m and were rewarded with some spectacular views.

Steve and Luke admiring the beautiful sunset.

The BIG day to summit Mont Blanc had finally come, bringing along with it nerves, excitement and high hopes. Luckily, it was ideal weather conditions and there were blue skies all around to admire the views.

After climbing 648m of very steep and rocky terrain, we made it to the Gouter hut (3815m) for a quick break to lighten the rucksacks before the real summit attempt of Mont Blanc began.

With the snow capped peak of Mont Blanc in sight, we made the final push to reach the top.

And we did it!

Top Left to right: Jaye, George, Sam, Steve
Bottom Left to right: Luke and Callie

This trip was a phenomenal experience and each person in the group faced their own challenges. Summit day in particular was a 12 hour endurance grind, slow and steady but demanding high levels of focus due to some technical mountaineering required. We learned an incredible amount throughout and couldn’t have done it without the guides and support of Chamonix Experience, check them out if this interests you. Be warned, do not underestimate the Mt Blanc, it challenged us all to our (current) limits.

Expedition Summary

Arrive Chamonix, France.

Day 1: Drive to Italy, hike up to Refugio Vittorio Emanuelle II hut for overnight stay.

Day 2 : Grand Paradiso summit day and back to Chamonix.

Day 3: Climbing skills

Day 4: First day of ascent up Mont Blanc to Tete Rousse Hut for overnight stay.

Day 5: First summit attempt up Mont Blanc and return to Gouter Hut for overnight stay.

Day 6: Descend back to down to Chamonix.

To the left is Yves, one of the Chamonix Experience guides.

A trip like this is within reach for most budgets with some planning; we did so over an 18 month period. It gave us a goal, something to look forward to, something to talk about other than covid and something to train for! Now the question is, which mountain next?

It wasn’t all fun though (well cough)….

We happened to be nearby our good friend and business partner Sam Emanuel so we used our time wisely to plan the next evolution of the B2R Internship, stay tuned for that!

We’d like to finish this piece with a final shout to our mentee, friend and colleague Sam Ogilvie. Planning for this expedition has been a part of the process of her development with B2R over the past 2 years where she has contributed and grown both as a clinician and a person. Sam is taking an open ended break from clinical practice but will always have a place in B2R to return to in the future.