Tag Archive for: Chamonix valley

Success on Mont Blanc!

Summit photo on Mont Blanc!

We are excited to report that the Madison Mountaineering Mont Blanc expedition team successfully summited over the weekend! It’s been an unforgettable week in the Alps filled with excellent weather, a rockstar team, smooth climbing and enjoying all that Chamonix has to offer. Climbing in the French Alps is a unique experience offering comfortable accommodations, beautiful climbing, good food, and more! Reach out about 2027 dates to get signed up. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mont Blanc:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mont Blanc (4808m/15,774ft) expedition.

We had a great climb, reached the summit of Mont Blanc the other day. It was perfect weather, great views all around, no clouds, and safe descent. We had a great week here in Chamonix, France, climbing throughout the French and Swiss Alps. Everyone had a wonderful time. We climbed many different peaks while we were here. And we’re looking forward to more mountain adventures in the future!

Thanks for following along! And off to the next expedition on Mount Elbrus, Russia.

Climbing towards the summit under sunny morning skies.

Climbing towards the summit under sunny morning skies.

Taking in the views!

Taking in the views!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Ready for Mont Blanc

The Madison Mountaineering team topped out on an acclimatization climb in recent days!

The Madison Mountaineering Mont Blanc expedition team has been hard at work over the course of the last few days, training and getting ready for the climb ahead. With a few smaller climbs under their belts, they’re heading back up and onto the Mont Blanc Massif for an attempt in a few days time. Good luck, team! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the French Alps:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Mont Blanc (4808m/15,774ft) program.

Our private team here has had a few nice days up high in the alpine zone. We hiked up above the village of Le Tour to the Albert Premier Hut, and the following day, climbed Petite Fourche (3512m/11,522ft)! From Petite Fourche, we traversed over into Switzerland and stayed in the Cabane du Trient, the Trient Refuge. (We) dad a nice meal there, and then the following day, yesterday, climbed Aiguille du Tour (3540m/11,614ft) and descended back down to Chamonix (1035m/3,396ft).

We are now heading up Mont Blanc for the next few days. Fingers crossed for good weather, good conditions! We’re excited for some spectacular views, and we’ll be back in Chamonix on Saturday or Sunday.

All is well here! We’ll check in soon.

Early morning sunshine in the French Alps

Early morning sunshine in the French Alps

Perfect climbing conditions

Perfect climbing conditions

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Mont Blanc Expedition Underway!

Technical training as we prepare for Mont Blanc in a few days time!

The Madison Mountaineering team has arrived in the beautiful Chamonix Valley, taken to the hills with eyes set on the legendary peak, Mont Blanc! Chamonix is a magical place with lots of mountaineering history. Treated with excellent weather and views so far, the team is psyched to be underway! They’ll spend the next few days acclimatizing and practicing technical skills before making their attempt on this famed summit. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the French Alps:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mont Blanc (4809m/15,777ft) program.

Our team is enjoying the Chamonix Valley. We arrived here yesterday. And today, we set out for Le Tour at the end of the valley and hiked up to the Albert Premier refuge. It was a great day, beautiful views of Mont Blanc in the valley. We got up to the refuge in the afternoon, had some cakes and coffee, and then went out and did some technical training on the glacier and on rock. We just had dinner, winding down here.

Great to be up here at the hut! The team’s doing well, weather looks good, spectacular views up here, and we’re looking forward to our climb of the Peak Petite Fourche (3512m/11,522ft) tomorrow.

So all’s well here in France. French Alps are magnificent, “magnifique,” as the French say! And we’re looking forward to more great days ahead. We’ll check in soon!

Excellent views of Mont Blanc!

Excellent views of Mont Blanc!

Beautiful day for climbing in the French Alps.

Beautiful day for climbing in the French Alps.

 

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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2024 Mont Blanc Season Recap

One of our teams during the 2024 season on the summit of Mont Blanc!

Our 2024 Mont Blanc (4808m/15,774ft) climbs have come to a close! Two teams took on the highest peak in Western Europe, with 100% of our climbers reaching the summit. Great weather, spectacular views, and high spirits propelled the team to the summit of Mont Blanc along with other peaks in the surrounding Mont Blanc massif. There are seemingly endless climbing opportunities here, making it the perfect place to acclimatize and practice technical skills before making a summit attempt.

Located in the Alps, a technical climb and strenuous, Mont Blanc is considered the birthplace of mountaineering and alpinism. Climbing in Europe during the summer months is a must for any intrepid mountaineer wishing to experience Europe’s distinct culture of climbing, which includes comfortable mountain huts, exceptional cuisine, and unforgettable views.

Mont Blanc is a special place and we are so grateful to get to share it with awesome climbers. We can’t wait to be back in 2025!

Our team during an acclimatization climb before making a summit attempt!

Our team during an acclimatization climb before making a summit attempt!

Summit photo on the top of Mont Blanc!

Summit photo on the top of Mont Blanc!

Summit photo on the top of Mont Blanc!

Summit photo on the top of Mont Blanc!

Climbing around the Mont Blanc massif!

Climbing around the Mont Blanc massif!

Our team climbing under crystal clear, sunny skies!

Our team climbing under crystal clear, sunny skies!

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Climbing under the shadow of the Matterhorn

Irena & Aparna are having a wonderful trip in the French Alps! Pictured below rock climbing and hiking at FluAlp under the shadow of the Matterhorn this weekend. Yesterday guide Jayson-Simons-Jones spent the day climbing on the Rifflehorn above Zermatt and the Monte Rosa Massif  with Irena in preparation for a Matterhorn attempt next time.

Photos taken by Jayson. Enjoy!

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“Beautiful morning with Irena & Aparna on the Entreves Traverse straddling the Italian / French border. A real treat to have this classic alpine ridge climb completely to ourselves!” – Jayson Simons-Jones

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Sunrise ascent of the classic Traverse du Entreves

Beautiful early morning sunrise ascent of the classic Traverse du Entreves on the Italian / French border with the Italian Face of Mont Blanc lit up by morning alpenglow behind us. Our climbers  Irena & Aparna are having a wonderful time and will continue to explore the beautiful Chamonix valley in the French Alps.

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Climbing team reaches Aiguille du Toule in the French Alps

Our summer 2016 Mont Blanc expedition is underway with climbers exploring the beautiful Chamonix valley in the French Alps. Chamonix is where the first winter olympics were held in 1924 and is also considered the ‘birthplace’ of climbing.

Yesterday Irena & Aparna climbed the Cosmiques Arete ridge.  Guide Jayson Simons-Jones will teach alpine mountain skills in preparation for Mont Blanc in a few days time. Right now Chamonix is in the midst of an above average heatwave, and this allowed our team to make a completely crampon free ascent of this alpine classic mixed rock snow and ice ridge climb (II+ AD / 5.6)

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Irena & Aparna enjoying a rare quiet day and beauty spot for lunch at 3600M on the super Classic Cosmiques Arete.
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Climbing the Aiguille du Toule 3600M on a perfect bluebird summer day on the French / Italian border
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