Backpacking 118 Miles in 7 Days on the Tour Du Mont Blanc: Our Gear + Itinerary
Last month my wife, Sadie, and I took of to Europe to do a backpacking route around the Mont Blanc Massif that had caught our eye. Unfortunately, we only had about a month to prepare which meant that booking refuges would be impossible. We geared up and headed out with a very loose plan and a dream of seeing the entirety of the trail while backpacking and figuring it out as we went. 7 days and 118 miles later and we fulfilled the dream! The trail was incredible and we are so glad we did it but found that the information for backpackers was a bit sparse so we wanted to share what we took and where we camped. Check out my youtube channel to watch the video too!
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Our Itinerary (as it turned out):
Day One: 16.89 miles , 5,340.1 ft ascent (including a couple of wrong turns)
Start: Les Houches
Night One: Bivouac Shelter Nant Borrant, France (Free)
Coordinates: 45.77334, 6.71753
Amenities: River, Toilet, Nant Borrant Refuge 600m
Day Two: 14.5 miles, 5,170 ft ascent
Night Two: Torrent Des Glaciers/Les Mottets Wild Camping, France (Free)
Coordinates: 45.73486, 6.77801
Amenities: River, Les Mottets Refuge 400m Walk
Day Three: 15.4 miles, 4,355 ft ascent
Night Three: Courmayeur - Hotel Lo Campagnar, Italy (approx 130 euro)
Coordinates: 45.79033, 6.96325
Amenities: Everything
Day Four: 23.56 miles, 7,412 ft ascent
Night Four: Le Fouley - Camping des Glaciers, Switzerland (approx 45 euro)
Coordinates: 45.93429, 7.09567
Amenities: Stores, Restaurants, Transit, Showers
Day Five: 21.43 miles, 5,028 ft ascent
Night Five: Camping Le Peuty, Switzerland (approx 40 euro)
Coordinates: 46.04621, 6.99439
Amenities: Refuge, Showers (until 1900), Toilet
Day Six: 14.9 Miles, 7,423 ft ascent
Night Six: La Flégère Wild Camp, France (Free at Lake Near Refuge)
Coordinates: 45.96151, 6.88888
Amenities: Refuge La Flegere, Cable Car to Chamonix
Day Seven: 12.15 miles, 3,277 ft ascent
End: Les Houches, France
My TMB Gear List (as mentioned in the video):
Our Route (Similar) (All Trails): https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/france/haute-savoie/tour-du-mont-blanc-tmb?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&u=i
Gaia: https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=9.8/6.7722/45.7421&layer=usparcels,GaiaTopoRasterFeet
Guide Book: https://amzn.to/3Ysmgpa
Chase Backpack: https://bit.ly/3QCqM2m
Sadie’s Backpack: https://bit.ly/3ORWKqg
Chase Shoes: https://bit.ly/47v2Kwu
Sadie Shoes: https://bit.ly/3YxdSVx
Gaiters: https://bit.ly/45kWDZA
Shorts: https://bit.ly/3DN91WF
Shirt: https://bit.ly/3KCKtmO
Merino Shirt: https://bit.ly/3QzwPol
Puffy Jacket: https://bit.ly/3rZnJHc
Rain Jacket (Sadies): https://bit.ly/3Ou8f5Q
Joggers: https://bit.ly/3YyG9uD
Boxers: https://bit.ly/3Yt9pms
Socks: https://bit.ly/47p51ZV
Short Socks: https://bit.ly/3KBMkZn
Flip Flops: https://amzn.to/45eOJ3Y
Pack Towel: https://amzn.to/47oE1K7
Packing Cube: https://amzn.to/3qnLWXt
Sleeping Bag (Chase): https://amzn.to/443QlfV
Sleeping Bag (Sadie): https://amzn.to/3Oufr1M
Sleeping Pad: https://amzn.to/3KCDvyq
Tent: https://bit.ly/3s7thzC
Pillow: https://amzn.to/3KA0ytw
Sit Pads: https://amzn.to/3OPWtnv
Peak Refuel Meals: https://amzn.to/45my5PN
Stove: https://amzn.to/3s8cKeV
Fuel: https://amzn.to/3DOL6WG
Spoon: https://amzn.to/442PVX5
Coffee Cup: https://shop.cordovaoutdoors.com/12-oz-camp-mug/
Coffee Filters: https://amzn.to/442QzDZ
Coffee Grinder (left at home): https://bit.ly/44aloXf
Watch: https://bit.ly/45nGgvf
Backpack Strap Camera Holder: https://amzn.to/458Apu7
Camera: https://amzn.to/3QAFZRI
Lens: https://amzn.to/3OU8Mzu
Second Lens: https://amzn.to/3QAfFqK
Tripod: https://amzn.to/443Uq3x
GoPro: https://amzn.to/453is04
GoPro Mount: https://amzn.to/3KCoKeZ
Drone: https://amzn.to/3DSbwqC
Camera strap: https://amzn.to/3OSrAz4
Camera Cover: https://amzn.to/45ol6gB
Battery Pack: https://amzn.to/3Opzv5k
Multi Charger Dongle: https://amzn.to/445noA0
Airtag: https://amzn.to/3qtvo0g
Outlet Adapter: https://amzn.to/3YsmxIL
Travel Lock: https://amzn.to/3DQHhAh
Fanny Pack (Similar): https://amzn.to/452Phdz
Water Filter: https://amzn.to/3OvpbJ1
Water Bottle: https://amzn.to/3Ytdp6G
Grab Bag:
Chamois Buttr: https://amzn.to/47poj1g
Satelite Phone: https://bit.ly/3Qt39J
Medical Kit: https://amzn.to/3uVOw6A
Ear Plugs: https://amzn.to/456mjJK
Gold Bond: https://amzn.to/3KUIWH9
Bug Spray: https://amzn.to/3k8qIWV
Survival Kit: https://amzn.to/3JOamwZ
Matches: https://amzn.to/3Eocbj7
Fire Starters: https://amzn.to/3JXQ5VA
Sharpie: https://amzn.to/3JU31Ml
Knife: https://amzn.to/3rxiv2A
Gear Tape: https://amzn.to/3McahEP
Paracord: https://amzn.to/3KWQM2U
Headlamp: https://amzn.to/3HN4LXE
