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 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 

Map: https://amzn.to/3YuHZwy  

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