[2025] Tour Mont Blanc.
Six heavy days on the trail (and not just because I was fat).
My wife is an ultra runner. When we met I ran more than her - both longer distances and more consistently. I remember when she ran her first half marathon and how accomplished she felt. I’ve run a handful of 50k races - the shortest distance possible that is still considered an ultra-marathon. During every race when I pass mile 26, I just wish I was done. Regardless, not only did she begin enjoying 100 mile races, she really got involved in the community - she co-leads a weekly run group, and follows all the big races. One race she’s always been intrigued by is call UTMB - The Ultra Tour Mont Blanc. I’m in no shape to race that much distance or elevation, so I was really excited she decided to slow down this one and do the tour over six days with me. She also invited a friend. We “fast-packed” the trip, meaning we traveled with all our necessities; gear and hygiene equipment mostly, packing our 15 liter running packs to the brim. The trip went through 3 countries - Starting in France, through Italy, and Switzerland, and back into France where we started. We started the first day in a small town called Les Houches. We put up 23.5 miles and over 9k’ of climbing to end at our first mountain camp - Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme.
Starting off from the RockyPop hotel in Les
Houches, France.
The evening sunset from our Bonhomme.
Day 2.
The second day I was already feeling shitty. Tha didn’t stop us making the trek from Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme to Rifiguio de la Maison Vielle. Took our first variation today: Variant of the Col de Fours which took us high and kept us in view of the Mont Blanc Massif for the whole time. The theme of the day was Mont Blanc Massif. And way too hot. A detour to Rifigio Elisabetta determined it was the most scenic. About halfway through the day, we were already in Italy!
Relaxing with a full belly after a long
hot day on the trails.
Day 3
The third day was Refuge Maison Vielle to La Fouly (Refuge Maya Joie). This was our longest day (again) and included continuous gorgeous views of the Mont Blanc Massif. 2 climbs were murderous; why do we keep doing 2000-3000k feet of vert in 2-3miles 😂. Highlights: the views, wildflowers, endless gushing waterfalls. The new fueling strategy is continuous Fanta.
On the Italian/Swiss border with Le
Chantonnet in the background. Still part of the Mont Blanc Massif.
Day 4
The fourth day we travelled Maya Joie (La Fouly) to Chalet La Grange (Champex Lac). A well deserved recovery day of only 10 miles! And honestly we mostly walked it. Lots of beautiful views, the cute town of Las Arlaches, tiny trailside wood carvings and Charlotte la marmotte to teach us all about mushrooms. Arrived in Champex Lac and took the chair lift up to La Breya for lunch before a storm chased us back down the mountain.
The cozy swiss cottage we stayed in, run
by a sweet little family.
Day 5
The fifth day we traversed from Champex-Lac (Chalet La Grange) to Tre Le Champs (Auberge La Boerne), back in France already! A recovery day yesterday and a lovely stay and plentiful food meant that today felt good and strong. Our last 2 mountain passes passed by so quickly and the moment we popped out of Col de Balme was a breath of fresh air. Following the Tour trail after to Aiguilette de Posettes.
Stunning views all around.
Cows always get the right of way in Europe.
Day 6 - last day!
Tre Le Champs (Auberge La Boerne) to Chamonix. Last day, best day. We were all hungry for one more glacier, one more mountain, and one more pass. So we did the high route. A lot of ladders and handholds and then a section where we all bonked and dissociated at the end resulted in a beautiful gondola ride down vs. descending another 4-5k on our ratchet knees. A gondola and Orangina + ice cream finish.
Hard to run this kind of terrain..
Spicy.
Do I look haggard? I feel haggard...
After some rest. We visited three more countries! I'll share them later.