Ascent Mont Blanc day trip | Round trip from Les Houches
The one-day ascent of Mont Blanc, or “one push”, is a challenge reserved for experienced mountaineers and trained athletes. From Les Houches, via the normal route of Le Goûter, this option allows you to climb to the summit and back down in a single day. It's an intense effort that demands rigour, endurance and concentration at every stage.
Who can attempt Mont Blanc for a day?
Only sportsmen and women with previous mountaineering experience, capable of very long efforts and accustomed to altitude, can envisage this ascent. Previous “one push” experience on a preparatory summit is strongly recommended.
Materials required
The equipment is similar to the classic ascent, but lighter: crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness, technical clothing and supplies for the day.
Preparation
To succeed in this climb requires :
- Very good endurance over long distances: long-distance mountain running, ultra-trail, long-distance cycling.
- Knowledge and experience of the mountains: hiking, trekking over long distances and steep ascents, long ski touring outings and ski raids. All this with a heavy rucksack on your back.
- Genuine alpine preparation: a first “one push” summit to calibrate effort, pace and equipment
Duration
Allow 14 to 18 hours from Les Houches to the summit and back, depending on fitness and conditions. The aim is a fast round trip, with a steady pace on all sections.
Itinerary summary
Each section is a sustained effort: altitude, gradient and length make this climb a complete sporting performance.
The classic route for a one-push ascent of Mont Blanc starts from Les Houches and follows the normal route to the Goûter, passing through the Refuge de Tête Rousse and the Refuge du Goûter.
Only experienced mountaineers who are highly trained and capable of making long efforts at altitude can envisage a day's ascent of Mont Blanc.
The same equipment as for the classic ascent, but lighter to keep up the pace. Crampons, ice axe, helmet, harness, technical clothing and food for a full day.
Long endurance (running, cycling), regular mountaineering (hiking or skiing with a loaded rucksack), and ideally a first “one push” summit to calibrate yourself.
Between 14 and 18 hours from Les Houches to the summit and back, depending on fitness and conditions. Pace management is essential.
Live with your guide, from first contact to the summit.
Creative and flexible
A flexible framework for devising the most appropriate itinerary or activity for each day, depending on the group and the conditions.
