UKC

Hello,
We a group of 3 are planning to climb the Mont Blanc by the normal Gouter Route starting on the 26th of this month. Had been on Mont Blanc two years ago but in August.

I want to know if anyone knows the conditions over there this month. And if it is advised to use snowshoes or just crampons.

Regards,
Filipe

In reply to filiperosa:

I would say that you need to be mega fit as there probably won't be a train to Nid d'Aigle, also the lift up Belle Vue won't be operational, therefore you'll be walking from the valley floor in les Houches. I went up there early July a few year ago and the tunnel into Nid d'aigle was still packed with snow, this year there is still a lot of snow around.

If your aptitude, finances and skills allow, I'd recommend the Midi telephrique and go via the Trois Monts route, and for that you will need crampons for part of it.

Gouter hut will be closed as well.
Tbh if I were going to MB summit now I would take skies.

In reply to filiperosa:

You could usefully realise that it's high season for skiing Mont Blanc at the moment and currently fairly heavy snow is forecast above 2000m
http://chamonix-meteo.com/chamonix-mont-blanc/weather/forecast/morning/5_da...
http://www.chamonix.com/meteo,11,fr.html
http://www.chamoniarde.com/?page_id=343

Thank you for the answers guys.
Anyone over here has experience on the Trois Monts route before summer? I am not used to skies, just crampons and snow shoes.

In reply to filiperosa:

I'd suggest you are wasting your time. There is reason people use skis! It will almost certainly be deep unconsolidated snow.

In reply to filiperosa:

This may be of interest :

http://m.skitour.fr/sorties/sortie.php?id=72467

Was on skis of course, but gives a description of conditions

In reply to filiperosa:

Will be interested to see how this develops as I am planning on the Gouter Route second week of June. I figured it was early in the season but my step brother wants to be dragged up it and I thought it might just about be possible then.

In reply to MG:
Yes and there probably won't be a walking track so it will be extra hard work (a skiing track is useless for walking in and would annoy people who are on skis).

In reply to Misha:

You could use snow shoes though.

Not proposing it, but it can be viable, if slow.

In reply to Simon4:
Guess so.

In reply to filiperosa:

Hey, id be interested to know how you got on as i'm planning on doing the Gouter route 2nd week of June. I am trying decide if we should take a snowboard and snowshoes or where not to bother. Im pretty sure both the huts will be open by then? cheers

In reply to methodman:

We are also planning on the Gouter 2nd week June and then descending the Trois Monts route if conditions allow. I think there's been quite a lot of fresh snow up there lately, but hopefully will consolidate and pack a little in the next couple of weeks!

In reply to filiperosa:

I am also in the area in 3rd week of June and hope for good conditions for Montblanc via Aiguille de Bionnassay...keep us posted if you get stuck in week two

In reply to Chris Ellyatt:

Hi. We are pretty much planning exactly the same route if the avalanche risk is ok. The forecast is looking ok now for next week. Can I ask how you plan to get up the first bit? I've heard a taxi might possible some of the way? Cheers