David approaching the Aiguillette d'Argentiere
TMB Day 12…. Friday 11th August 2023…. Tre-Le-Champ to Chamonix….. 12 miles + 11 hours!!!
Long but totally awesome day on the TMB!!! Approached the spectacular rock features of the Aiguillette d'Argentiere at 1,893 metres (6,210 feet) before climbing the famous metal ladders and handrails up the steep rock walls. At the top of the ladders the path rises to a boundary cairn eventually arriving at the Tete aux Vents 2,132 metres (6,994 feet). Stunning walk up the alternative TMB to Lac Blanc passing two of the Lacs de Chesrerys with beautiful reflections of the mountains…. stopped at Refuge du Lac Blanc 2352 metres (7,716 feet) for coffee and blueberry tart. Decided to climb higher through rocks and boulders….. way marked with yellow spots up to my highpoint of Flegere Index at 2,595 metres (8,513 feet). Descended on chair-lift to rejoin TMB at Refuge La Flegere 1,875 metres (6,151 feet)….. incredible panoramic views across the Chamonix Valley to the entire Mont Blanc range….. breathtaking!! I then followed a rocky trail under the slopes of Montagne de Chorlanoz before descending on a steep forest path for two hours down into Chamonix with stunning glimpses of the towering snow + icefields of Mont Blanc and the awesome Bossons Glacier.
After a long, exciting and wonderful day I eventually arrived at my hotel! Explored the busy pedestrian streets of Chamonix as the last rays of glowing pink sunlight lit up the snows of Mont Blanc. Enjoyed a ‘penne amtriciana’ and refreshing beer!
Absolutely brilliant day on the TMB!!!!
TMB Day 12…. Friday 11th August 2023…. Tre-Le-Champ to Chamonix….. 12 miles + 11 hours!!!
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Incredible reflections in Lac de Chesrerys!! press Play!
Official TMB distance is 170km (105 miles)…. I actually walked 149.5 miles! TMB height gain is around 10,000 metres (33,000 feet). I completed it in 13 days….. 11 walking days and 2 rest days!
It has been a truly awesome walk of a lifetime…. along with all my other long-distance adventures! The mountains, glaciers, wild flowers, refugios, incredible 11 passes, fantastic weather, forests, alpine villages, Courmayeur + Chamonix, glacial streams + rivers and excellent food have all been absolutely wonderful….. but most of all the biggest highlight has been meeting fellow TMB hikers from all over the world!!! I have loved meeting all of you over the past 13 days!!!
The TMB is totally, totally awesome!!!
Thanks MacsAdventure for enabling me to have a wonderful TMB experience!
TMB Day 13…. Saturday 12th August 2023…. Plan Praz 2,000 metres (6,561 feet)….. climbed up to peak of Le Brevent 2,526 metres (8,287 feet) then down, down and down to Les Houches 1007 metres (3,303 feet) ….. descent of 1519 metres (4,983 feet)!!! Arrived at the finish….. TMB completed!!
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Hi fellow TMB hikers! Just a quick post to share my awesome last day here in wonderful Chamonix!!! If you are contemplating walking the TMB in the future I highly reccommend a free day at the beginning of your TMB…. On my first day I did a walk from the top station of the Prarion cable car at Les Houches…. it was a brilliant way to both warm up and relax before starting my TMB adventure!
I also enjoyed rest days with 2 nights each at Courmayeur and Champex. It gave me the opportunity to relax and savour the journey so far!
Today I have really enjoyed my extra day at the end of my TMB in Chamonix….. it is such a beautiful, relaxed and vibrant town! The highlight of my day was getting the early 6.30.am cable car up to Aiguille du Midi at 3,842 metres (12,604 feet)…. Wow!!!! It was totally awesome!!!! I also loved wandering along the main pedestrianised street in Chamonix….. enjoying a coffee and people watching! I enjoyed some delicious meals sat outside looking up at the Aiguille du Midi, Mont Blanc and the incredible Bossons Glacier….. largest icefall in Europe. Once again a huge thank you to MacsAdventure!!!!
You maybe interested in my travel website….. ‘Beyond the Sacred Mountains’ at www.davidastott.weebly.com and my instagram at david_a_stott.
Tomorrow I get the early bus to Geneva Airport to fly home after a truly epic TMB!
Spectacular cable car ride up to Aiguille du Midi 3,842 metres (12,602 feet) press Play!
TMB Day 14….. free day in Chamonix…. Sunday 13th August 2023….. press Play!
2023 has been a truly wonderful year of epic adventures! It started in April/May with my awesome Annapurna Circuit Trek in Nepal with 'Sherpa Himalaya' . . . the highlight being the ascent of the magnificent Thorang La Pass in deep snow!
My year ended with a superb 18 day solo walk on the Offa's Dyke National Trail in October with MacsAdventure from Prestatyn in North Wales to Chepstow in South Wales . . . following the 9th century earthwork built by King Offa on the English/Welsh border.
So this 'TMB 3' blog celebrates my completion of the TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc). It was an incredible walk around the highest mountain in Western Europe starting and finishing in Les Houches . . . definitely one of the world's classic walks. I enjoyed walking through France, Italy and Switzerland with amazing views of the glorious snow, ice and rocks of the Mont Blanc Massif. I highly recommend the TMB to everyone who enjoys long-distant walking, breath-taking alpine scenery and the opportunity to meet fellow adventurers from all over the world. It is truly epic!!!!
A huge thank you to MacsAdventure for your brilliant organisation, support and inspiration! Also many thanks to everyone in both the MacsAdventure FB Community and the Tour du Mont Blanc FB group. Finally I would like to say a massive thank you and "Hi!" to all the wonderful fellow walkers I met on this awe-inspiring TMB trail!!!
I would love to hear from you either by commenting directly to this blog or by secure email as outlined in the 'Contact' section of my website . . . 'Beyond the Sacred Mountains'.
Regards
David
“I travel because I’d rather look back at my life,
saying ‘I can’t believe I did that’ instead of ‘if only I had’.”
Florine Bos