Tour dates: 20 Aug to 04 Sep 2008.
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This holiday was largely a repeat of last year's holiday, but with a few new walks. Last year's was inspired by the Tour du Mont Blanc, which I have done in 2005 and 2006. The original idea was for my wife and myself to cover the southern part of the TMB at a leisurely pace with plenty of time to stop and enjoy the surroundings.
This changed to become a series of walks based on hotels and huts in the areas around Chamonix, Les Contamines and Courmayeur. It is a pleasant and comfortable holiday with some excellent footpaths.
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Diary
Our visit in 2007
My TMB info page
Our holiday started at the Chalet Alpin du Tour: the building you can see at the far side of the village.
It is a very convenient place to start and finish.
We stayed there for our first two nights.
If you so desire, there is a hillside path that contours to Tré-le-Champ and around into the Col des Montets.
Eventually you make your way up the ridge to l'Aiguillette des Posettes.
The summit is above us to the right.
The photo is taken from a sheltered spot below the summit.
An easy walk from the Chalet Alpin du Tour.
The Chalet is on the right of the photo.
The path runs through woodlands on the hillside.
We took the télépherique to la Flégere and began our walk from there.
The télépherique station can be seen framed by the Mont Blanc massif.
The route gives fine views across to the Mer de Glace...
...with Mont Blanc behind us
The path continues heading NE
With more spectacular views ahead
The path stays high
Until it reaches the Col des Montets
Here the path goes down steeply
With some excellent paths
Get here early for the ride up to the Aiguille du Midi
This is the (relatively small) queue at 08:30
Walk up to the observation platform
Admire the view
Watch the climbers going down the ridge to la Vallée Blanche
Take a few photos
They always look good!
Have a look at Mont Blanc
Wince at the ugly avalanche scars
Then go down to board the téléphérique to the Pointe Hellbronner
The gondolas are four-seaters
Sit in comfort and enjoy the view!
Below you roped climbers cross the glacier
Several times you stop and hover in mid-air
(Gondolas have stopped at the station to load)
Past the Dent du Géant
on the left
Spectacular ice-falls
below
L'Aiguille Noire de Peuterey
on the right
Pointe Hellbronner
is getting closer
As you approach there are people on the snow
This is the way down to the snow
Stairs lead down from the station
Next page 
View Photo
Set 1/3
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Set 2/3
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Set 3/3
|
Diary
Our visit in 2007
My TMB info page
