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Mountaineering High mountain bivouac
Duration:
2 days
Level:
Level 1: You have never practiced.
Level 2: You have some initial experience.
Level 3: You practice occasionally.
Level 4: You practice regularly.
Level 5: You have a sustained practice.
General information
Live a unique experience by spending a night in a tent at the heart of Vallée Blanche on the Glacier du Géant. Revel in the magical atmosphere of high-altitude nocturnal landscapes featuring silhouettes, shadows, and stars. With complete autonomy, your guide's expertise will ensure a seamless return to our roots. This unconventional journey is tailored for individuals seeking the exceptional experience of a night in a tent in the high mountains, whether in summer or winter, and benefiting from the guidance of a specialist. Thanks to our partner, Samaya, all the bivouac equipment is at your disposal to keep you warm and make the most of this extraordinary night.
This bivouac is part of a series of trips featuring overnight stays in a bivouac, providing an extraordinary experience deep in the heart of the mountains. With snowshoes, you can fully immerse yourself in the daily life of a trapper, or opt for a cozy evening in an igloo. Alternatively, spend a night as close as possible to the stars on a glacier or during a wild hike.
Private booking
Private booking is the historical relationship that binds a guide to his/her client. It allows you to be alone, or in a constituted group, with your guide that meets your specific needs. It is undoubtedly the ideal formula to realize your projects because it guarantees you a maximum of comfort. You are free to choose your departure date and the itinerary can be adjusted, according to your specific expectations.
Prices 2024 :
2 people : 635€ per person
3 people : 450€ per person
4 people : 360€ per person
5 people : 305€ per person
6 people : 265€ per person
Included in the package :
- IFMGA English speaking mountain guiding service
- bivouac kit : tent, sleeping bag, stove, cutlery
- dinner & breakfast
- lift pass
- Mont Blanc tunnel
- snowshoes, poles, avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe in winter
Not included in the package :
- personal technical equipment including your mountaineering shoes and harness
- crampons and ice axe in summer
- take out lunches and daily snacks,
- drinks (make sure you have at least 2 litres of water)
- repatriation insurance (mandatory)
- transport to Italy
Further information
Find in this in this section, all the information about this activity. For any further information please contact our advisors (contact details above).
Meeting point : meet at 11:30am at the Compagnie des Guides office in Chamonix - 190 place de l'Eglise 74400 Chamonix.
Physical level : 2 to 3-hour hike with average vertical gain between 100 m and 200 m. Nevertheless, this trip takes place at high altitude - 3500 m
Technical level : No mountaineering experience requested
Information about the altitude : Discovery special. No previous experience requested
Guiding policy : up to 6 people. Children minimum 14 years old accompanied by a parent
Accommodation : night under the tent
Documentation : Participants must have an insurance with repatriation cover. Cancellation insurance is highly recommended. You can take out insurance offering both of these types of cover when you sign up.
Documents available for download
Equipment
We recommend you to pay particular attention to the choice of your equipment. It contributes greatly to the success of your stay. Weight is decisive: you always have to evaluate the ratio weight/comfort, to find the best compromise.
Hiking boots
- Mountaineering boots that are not too tight
Back-pack
- Minimum size 40 L (a back-pack with extra room is better than too small).
- Once everything is packed, make sure there is enough room to fit your picnic lunch.
- Although backpack covers are very convenient in bad weather, we recommend using a very large plastic bag as a pack-liner to protect your personal belongings from getting wet.
Clothing
Underwear : avoid using cotton. Compared to technical synthetic material, it is heavier and it dries slowly. Wool is also getting popular amongst sportswear brands. Synthetic and wool are warmer ; they dry fast, and allow you to pack light.
Carrying weight
Taking enough time to pack is essential, as you are going to carry every item for several days in a row. Avoiding extra weight can easily be done by packing your clothes tightly, placing heavy items at the bottom of the pack, and avoiding empty spaces. As a result weight is better spread throughout your back and weight impression diminished).
Daily needs
- 1 synthetic long-sleeve shirt,
- 1 light polar fleece,
- 1 pair of Goretex pants, 1 long synthetic underwear to wear under your trousers,
- 1 a pair of wool socks,
- 1 Goretex jacket,
- 1 pair of fleece gloves, 1 pair of mittens, 1 pair of silk gloves,
- 1 warm hat, a scarf or neck warmer,
- 1 water bottle (1.5 quart, to 2 quarts minimum) isothermal if possible,
- 1 pocket knife + 1 « spork »,
- Cap or sun-hat and sunglasses (category # 3 minimum), sunscreen (face and lips),
- a camera and a pair of binoculars (optional).
What you need for the entire trip
- Down jacket or warm polar fleece,
- long underwear or sweat pants for the evening,
- changes of clothes: (T-shirt, underwear and socks) prefer synthetic to cotton,
- Pocket light or head lamp,
- Individual first aid kit *,
- Ultra-light shower kit (feel free to customize …) + synthetic « dry fast » towel,
- 1 one-person sleep-sheet (silk is the most comfortable and remains the lightest),
- ID card or passport + spare change for personal expenses + paper tissues and toilet paper,
- gaiters (recommended if your Goretex pants don’t have a boot-skirt).
- enough food for 4 meals (picnic, dinner and breakfast). eg : bread, dried meat, ham, cereal bars, hard fruit (apple), grain and nut mix and at least 2 litres of water.
* Elastoplast (stretchable strapping tape), band-aids, second skin, medicine for common aches and pains (diarrhea, headaches, sore throat…). Don’t forget to bring personal prescription treatment if you have one. Mountain leaders also carry a complete first aid kit.
Our Rental Partners : You can rent your equipment with our rental shops partners and benefit from special price Sanglard Sports, Ravanel & Co & Concept Pro Shop
Our Equipment Partners : Millet, Dynastar, Julbo, Grivel & Monnet
Itinerary
Day 1
Towards the Glacier du Géant
After a brief late morning transfer from Chamonix through the Mont Blanc tunnel, we arrive at the top of Pointe Helbronner (3,462m or 11,358ft) via the Skyway cable car, marking the beginning of our journey. We step onto the Glacier du Géant and make our way towards the foothills of the Dent du Géant (4,001m or 13,126ft). About an hour's walk later, we establish our bivouac in the sunlight near Pointe Vallet (3,445m or 11,302ft). We spend a delightful evening before retiring to the warmth of our tents under the starry skies. Your guide will provide you with all the advice and tips to ensure your comfort and allow you to fully relish this extraordinary experience. They will also share stories and anecdotes of their most unforgettable nights high up in the mountains!
Elevation gain: 100 - 300m
Day 2
Hike on glacier and return
Waking up in our sleeping bags enables us to savor the beginning of the day fully. Leaving no impact behind, we disassemble our tents and begin our return journey. We seize the opportunity to explore the area on a short hike. We return to Chamonix in the early afternoon.
Elevation drop: 100 - 300m
Calculate your carbon footprint
Discover the carbon emissions of this activity and add your trip to the meeting point.
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 14 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for the activity: 14 kg. Learn out more about the footprint calculation of this activity
CO2 emitted per person for this activity & journey(s) = 0 kgIn order to limit global warming to +2°C by 2100, the COP-21 agreement stipulates that each human should emit no more than 2t of CO2 per year. According to the French Ministry of Ecology, today European citizens emit an average of 11t per year, and American citizens emit an average of 21t annually., or 1.4€The price for a ton of CO2 is currently 100€ in the European Union to offset.
Find out more about our zero impact strategy.
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