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- Mont Blanc de Courmayeur
15,577 ft · Mont Blanc Group, France/Italy
Mont Blanc de Courmayeur
Mont Blanc de Courmayeur is a 15,577 ft peak in the Mont Blanc Group, France/Italy. The standard route is the Goûter Route via SE Ridge: 13 mi, 8,189 ft of gain, PD.
Mont Blanc de Courmayeur at a glance
- Elevation15,577 ft4,747 m
- RouteGoûter Route via SE RidgePD
- Distance13 mi8,189 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun–Sep
- RangeMont Blanc GroupFrance/Italy
Climbing the Goûter Route via SE Ridge
From Les Houches, France, reach Nid d'Aigle by the Mont Blanc Tramway and climb the Gouter Route to Mont Blanc, then continue about 15 minutes along the south-east ridge (PD). This is not an independent objective, just a rounded shoulder ticked as a short detour by parties already on the summit. The connecting ridge is corniced and exposed, so turn back in poor visibility. It shares its outing with Mont Blanc, so log the distance and gain once per trip and do not count them twice if Mont Blanc is also recorded.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (40–55 L)
Mountaineering Boots
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Carabiners
Belay Device- Prusik Cord
- Ice Screw
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Glacier Glasses
Sunscreen
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Water
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Heavyweight Gloves
Goggles
Offline Maps
Power Bank
Whistle
Sleeping Bag (0°F to 20°F)
Sleeping Pad
What to watch for
- Rockfall
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Serac fall
- Steep exposure
- Cornices
- High altitude
- Altitude sickness
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Mont Blanc de Courmayeur
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Mont Blanc de Courmayeur
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Mont Blanc de Courmayeur?
Mont Blanc de Courmayeur is 15,577 feet (4,747 m) tall. It is in the Mont Blanc Group, France/Italy.
How does Mont Blanc de Courmayeur rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 15,577 feet, Mont Blanc de Courmayeur is the 2nd highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Mont Blanc de Courmayeur?
The Goûter Route via SE Ridge is graded PD on the alpine scale, meaning slightly difficult: some scrambling, steeper snow or simple glacier travel. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 13 miles with 8,189 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Mont Blanc de Courmayeur?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Goûter Route via SE Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Mont Blanc de Courmayeur dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Mont Blanc de Courmayeur?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Goûter Route via SE Ridge for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Mont Blanc de Courmayeur?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Mont Blanc de Courmayeur reaches 15,577 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Mont Blanc de Courmayeur?
The usual climbing window is June to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Mont Blanc de Courmayeur with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list