Tour Du Mont Blanc Day 1 August 16, 2024 Day 1 on the Tour du Mont Blanc: Despite spending hours poring over maps, reading trip reports, comparing kit lists and studying elevation profiles, we still weren’t entirely sure what to expect. None of us have walked this far over this many days before. We decided to get the biggest day out of the way first whilst our legs were still fresh, setting off from the official TDMB start in Les Houches at the end of the Chamonix Valley, and aiming for a quiet little campsite nestled in the valley at Les Chapieux by nightfall. Around 38km and 2,300m of elevation gain. Our legs felt sluggish on the first climb of the day, having not quite fallen into the rhythm of a multi-day walk. We pressed on, grateful that by TMB standards, this was a relatively gentle introduction—a mere 600 meters of ascent over 5 kilometers. As we climbed, the reality of finally cracking on with a trip that we’ve been eyeing up for years sunk in. Excitement mingled with a touch of apprehension as we contemplated the miles ahead. In Les Contamines, we paused for the essentials—baguettes, mozzarella, biscuits, a moment to sit on the pavement outside the shop. Then we faced the true crux of the day: the climb to Croix du Bonhomme, a big old hill that would take us 1,323 meters above where we stood, stretching over 14.5 kilometers of zig-zagging trails. As we crested the Col du Bonhomme, we were rewarded with views of cloud-shrouded refuges, as eagles soared effortlessly along the towering monoliths of rock dominating the valleys around us. There’s something unique about reaching the col of a valley, not just the achievement of slogging it out up a long climb, but a physical border marking a milestone of the route and the transition into a different valley, with a whole new set of hills, trails and people. During the steady descent into the valley at Les Chapieux, we made a monumental discovery (thanks to Google Maps): a pizza shop at the campsite. The only catch? It closes at 8:30. With that in mind, our pace quickened and our strides lengthened in anticipation of what might be the most well-earned pizzas of our lives. A big day in our legs, we were in our tents early, ready for day 2. Stats for the day: Distance: 38.30 km Elevation: 2,365 m Steps: 60,519 Elapsed time: 12:21:27
Tour Du Mont Blanc Day 1 August 16, 2024 Day 1 on the Tour du Mont Blanc: Despite spending hours poring over maps, reading trip reports, comparing kit lists and studying elevation profiles, we still weren’t entirely sure what to expect. None of us have walked this far over this many days before. We decided to get the biggest day out of the way first whilst our legs were still fresh, setting off from the official TDMB start in Les Houches at the end of the Chamonix Valley, and aiming for a quiet little campsite nestled in the valley at Les Chapieux by nightfall. Around 38km and 2,300m of elevation gain. Our legs felt sluggish on the first climb of the day, having not quite fallen into the rhythm of a multi-day walk. We pressed on, grateful that by TMB standards, this was a relatively gentle introduction—a mere 600 meters of ascent over 5 kilometers. As we climbed, the reality of finally cracking on with a trip that we’ve been eyeing up for years sunk in. Excitement mingled with a touch of apprehension as we contemplated the miles ahead. In Les Contamines, we paused for the essentials—baguettes, mozzarella, biscuits, a moment to sit on the pavement outside the shop. Then we faced the true crux of the day: the climb to Croix du Bonhomme, a big old hill that would take us 1,323 meters above where we stood, stretching over 14.5 kilometers of zig-zagging trails. As we crested the Col du Bonhomme, we were rewarded with views of cloud-shrouded refuges, as eagles soared effortlessly along the towering monoliths of rock dominating the valleys around us. There’s something unique about reaching the col of a valley, not just the achievement of slogging it out up a long climb, but a physical border marking a milestone of the route and the transition into a different valley, with a whole new set of hills, trails and people. During the steady descent into the valley at Les Chapieux, we made a monumental discovery (thanks to Google Maps): a pizza shop at the campsite. The only catch? It closes at 8:30. With that in mind, our pace quickened and our strides lengthened in anticipation of what might be the most well-earned pizzas of our lives. A big day in our legs, we were in our tents early, ready for day 2. Stats for the day: Distance: 38.30 km Elevation: 2,365 m Steps: 60,519 Elapsed time: 12:21:27