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!
Our first night in Chamonix prior to starting the hike we stayed at a hostel, where we left our laptop and spare gear in a rented locker.
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
