Le Tour du Mont Blanc: Three Generations, Seven Days, 112 Miles
January 16, 2019
Le Tour du Mont Blanc, July 31, 2018 to August 6, 2018
Le Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) was an epic, multi-generational, week-long adventure. Hiking the TMB was like doing nearly the equivalent of the Static Peak Divide, a strenous hike in the Grand Tetons, every day for a week. Combine the distance and elevation gain with record high temperatures, and the hike was a true test of endurance. Overall, the hike covered 112 miles, with a total elevation gain of 39,290 feet, under an average high temperature of 93 degrees Fahrenheit at nearby Chamonix. Over seven days, it was equal to 7.9 times the elevation gain and 6.9 times the distance of the Static Peak Divide.
A table of basic statistics
| Leg | Distance (mi) | Elevation Gain (ft) | Max Elevation (ft) | Min Elevation (ft) | High Temp at Chamonix (F) | Low Temp at Chamonix (F) | Elevation Gain v. Static Peak Hike | Distance v. Static Peak Hike |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Les Houches-Refuge Nant Borrant (July 31,2018) | 16 | 6,010 | 6,895 | 3,292 | 94 | 62 | 1.2 | 1.0 |
| Refuge Nant Borrant-Refuge des Mottets (August 1, 2018) | 12 | 5,560 | 8,699 | 4,898 | 92 | 78 | 1.1 | 0.8 |
| Refuge des Mottets-Rifugio Giorgio Bertone (August 2, 2018) | 18 | 6,590 | 8,229 | 3,845 | 91 | 77 | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Rifugio Giorgio Bertone-La Fouly (August 3, 2018) | 18 | 4,320 | 8,262 | 5,258 | 93 | 78 | 0.9 | 1.1 |
| La Fouly-Col de la Forclaz (August 4, 2018) | 22 | 5,890 | 6,752 | 3,478 | 93 | 80 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| Col de la Forclaz-Refuge la Flegere (August 5, 2018) | 15 | 6,970 | 7,239 | 4,380 | 95 | 65 | 1.4 | 0.9 |
| Refuge la Flegere-Les Houches (August 6, 2018) | 11 | 3,950 | 8,169 | 3,202 | 94 | 63 | 0.8 | 0.7 |
| Total | 112 | 39,290 | 8,699 | 3,202 | 93 | 72 | 7.9 | 6.9 |
On average, each day featured an elevation gain of 5,610 feet, with a maximum gain of 6,970 feet on day number 6 (Col de la Forclaz-Refuge la Flegere (August 5, 2018)). The lowest elevation was 3,202 and the highest elevation reached was 8,698.
A plot of the elevation change, by day
The TMB was a grand adventure. The map below shows the route, by day, along with photos that were taken along the way. Click on the pins on the map to see a thumbnail of the photo. To see the full photo, which can be downloaded, please click on the thumbnail.