Crossing the French border into Italy - Tour Du Mont Blanc (TMB) | Day 3

Tour du Mont Blanc - Day 3 | Refugio Elisabetta to Refugio Bonatti through Courmayeur (Italy)
Welcome to Day 3 of my Tour du Mont Blanc adventure! After an awful day yesterday getting drenched literally all day, the sun finally broke through, revealing the incredible alpine views I had been waiting for. I started the day waking up at Refugio Elisabetta, nestled in the shadow of glacial peaks, and made my up high into the mountains again on the 5hr hike to the Italian town of Courmayeur.
The trail led me through wide valleys, surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains, rugged cliffs, and flowing waterfalls. The descent into Courmayeur was breathtaking, with stunning panoramas of the Italian Alps unfolding at every turn and passing through all the ski resorts and even hiking down the ski runs....thankfully no snow this time of year!
After a couple of hours break in Courmayeur and enjoying a massive pizza, I pressed on to Refugio Bonatti, one of the most beautiful mountain huts on the trail. Little did I know that from now on I'd be hiking solo. I pretty much hiked solo throughout anyway for most legs however now had the freedom to choose my own destiny and truly go at my own pace.
The path from Courmayeur to Refugio Bonatti offered even more spectacular views of the Mont Blanc massif, with the setting sun casting golden light over the jagged peaks. It was the perfect end to an unforgettable day and even managed to get a bed at the Refugio and a couple of beers. Perfect!
If you're enjoying the series so far, don't forget to hit that like button, subscribe, and stay tuned for the rest of my Tour du Mont Blanc journey. There's plenty more epic mountain scenery to come!
Day 3 Stats:
🥾 Distance: 31.60 km
⏰ Elapsed Time: 10hr 13
🕑 Moving Time: 7hr 36
📈 Elevation Gain: 1,666 m
🏔️ Max Elevation: 2,438 m
🍽️ Calories: 3,697
🫀 Average Heart Rate: 127 bpm
Link to Strava Track from Day 3:
/ strava
#TourDuMontBlanc #TMBHike #tmb #SoloBackpacking #MontBlanc #WildCamping #HikingVlog #thruhike #Outdoors #longdistancehiking #AlpineTrekking #TravelVlog
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[@PierreFarrugia]

Love this mount blanc series ❤

[@krisgleave]

Thanks so much buddy

[@jms6306]

loving these daily drops

[@krisgleave]

Thank you. Normal schedule is weekly (that’s the idea but not rigid) however for my multi day adventures I always release them daily so you don’t have to wait too long to see them all.

[@JoEvans1968]

Im loving these. Mont blanc looks amazing

[@krisgleave]

Thanks Jo. It’s awesome I really loved this trip and personally needed this one to get my mojo back.

[@paulmartin7874]

What a stunning day 🎉

[@krisgleave]

Weather was so good this day. Polar opposite to the day before.

[@IsabelMcCord]

Smashing it Kris. Scenery looks epic round there.

[@krisgleave]

Thanks Isabel and yeah the views are ace

[@KevinWoodsWorkshop]

This brings back memories when I climbed Mont Blanc 25 years ago, very tough climb but worth it for the incredible views. Good to see you enjoying your adventure.

[@krisgleave]

Love that Kevin and it’s on my list to do that too. I was going to do it years ago after I did Kilimanjaro as back then it was the highest in Europe which appealed to me… but then the borders changed and Mt Elbrus was bumped up to highest in Europe. Still want to tag this though as imagine it’s epic.

[@Steve.j.like2hike]

Get out there in the wind and rain you'll love you know it makes sense 😂😂

[@krisgleave]

Luckily the wind is something that was pretty low throughout this trip. The rain was relentless on Day 2 though. Give me sun any day 😌

[@adventuresbeyondtheemptyne1691]

Great memories from Elisabetta to Bonatti. Nice slog up to Bertone, then the views became a reward. We took 10 days, half durning UTMB. Hike on!

[@krisgleave]

Aah brilliant and yes the views from there right outside the refuge are amazing aren’t they. Nice it’s brought back some memories as such an epic place.

[@BUSHMANandBLUE]

Thoroughly enjoying your TMB series! I was there with my lad a few weeks before you. It was epic! It’s definitely a personal challenge which you’re showing well 👊

[@krisgleave]

Thanks Al really appreciate it. Currently just about to watch yours now with your son as haven’t stopped this week. Will be great to see from your perspective too.

[@TheBigbat57]

Well I’m really enjoying your content Kris well done 👍🏻

[@krisgleave]

Thank you 🤙🏼

[@dazbass007]

Another good day Kris sun glasses finally out. Nether really fancied them shared beds but an experience I bet 😉

[@krisgleave]

Honestly it was alright. I didnt even know they were like that until I went into the room which was a shock haha. It’s really worth doing once though for the experience. Even the food…everyone all sits down and eat together so great opportunity to meet new people.

[@INSOLESandLACES]

Great skills Kris banging 30+km daily, views were awesome. Thanks for taking us all along ❤

[@krisgleave]

Thank you really appreciate it. Definitely long days walking to hit those distances but definitely have to make good distance when the weather is good.

[@howardpotts5763]

It amazing how much the weather changes the experience. I’d be no good in the joint bed with my snoring 😂 Awesome trek pal

[@krisgleave]

Haha you’d be fine, it’d be everyone else who would be struggling 😂. Luckily for me in our room I could only hear one person snoring and not too bad.

[@dwaynestewart6095]

well, Kris, im glad you had better weather. it sucks that your friend had equipment failure, but phones and rain just dont mix. the views of those mountains are spectacular . Dwayne

[@krisgleave]

Thanks Dwayne and yes the views are amazing. Such a shame about his phone. They can normally be alright in rain but it was torrential and guessing it must’ve got in his port or something to really break it. Screen was off on it but it was making calls and all sorts on its own.

[@dwaynestewart6095]

@krisgleave it seems there is a few people that think you weren't being a friend to your buddy that went with you. it's sad that people jump to conclusions without knowing the facts. I will admit that the video did kinda make you look bad, but unless they were there, they shouldn't make assumptions. Dwayne

[@kennyb979]

hi kris,stumbled across your page thro the challenge you did! just wanted to say cracking videos and content! keep em coming. stay safe big man 👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@krisgleave]

Thanks Kevin and great to hear how you found the channel. I completed this literally days before the Apex Challenge. That was a cracking event too.

[@kennyb979]

@krisgleave genuinely cracking videos mate! that challenge up helvellyn looked nuts 😂 like I said..look forward to next blanc video big man 👍👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@krisgleave]

@kennyb979 awesome thanks Kenny. We’re also doing the Apex Challenge again next year. Same team 🤘🏼

[@kennyb979]

@krisgleave well am quite sure you guys will smash it mate! live not far from peak district so getting out and about soon lol.. can't beat the old outdoors fella 😂😂👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Martycycleman]

Nice one Kris😊

[@krisgleave]

Thanks Marty 🤘🏼

[@MikeHarlyn-lh9jo]

I winced when you left the pointed end of the pole sticking out of the bin at child height.

[@krisgleave]

I know looking back it doesn’t look the best but needed to throw it and away and the only way I could do it was in a big. Had to go spike up so it didn’t pierce the bin.

[@pgoutdoors]

Very nicely done, thanks. As I watch this series, I'm following along with the excellent guidebook and accompanying 1:40,000 waterproof map, "Tour du Mont Blanc" by Kingsley Jones (VP, Sheffield, 2020), which I reviewed for a Canadian outdoor magazine. My intention to hike the TMB was derailed by Covid, but perhaps it's time to reschedule. The combination of your video productions together with the guide and the map enhances each for an even better overall appreciation.

[@tomworboys]

Great stuff Kris, very inspiring. I really like the way you do your vids and dont take it too seriously. I wonder why all the best hiking KZbinrs are notherners! 😆 Planning on doing TMB in September myself next year, though not over 5 days 🤪. Cheers 👍

[@krisgleave]

Haha love that thanks Tom. If you’re doing it next year start planning as if you want to stay in a refugio you need to book in advance. I lucked out and managed to find spaces as sometimes people don’t make it to the places they planned with weather and things but wouldn’t rely on that as know people who did try and couldn’t get spaces.

[@tomworboys]

@@krisgleave aye I prefer the flexibility of camping. Already planning out potential camp spots. I couldn't do that crazy cozy giant bed in either! 😳

[@Fellmandave1]

Did you have a paper map or guide book Kris? I find it difficult just relying on the Garmin.

[@krisgleave]

I relied purely on the Garmin I use jt for everything. Although when I was solo I did message the Mrs at home to send me some screengrabs from the Cicerone book. I think the book in combination with the Garmin is a good way to go. It’s really well signposted too the route but I definitely think you still need a map or Garmin.

[@Fellmandave1]

@krisgleave I found the combo of Gaia maps, guidebook screenshot, papar map and garmin, lightweight and backed up. But I am a Nav nerd.

[@krisgleave]

@Fellmandave1 That’s what I should’ve done as really need to work on my map skills. Doing the 5 day ML course last year was an eye opener. I’ll watch your TMB today it’ll be good to see from your perspective too.

[@Fellmandave1]

@@krisgleave I have a series on mountain leader too Kris.

[@markyb0151.]

I'm a bit disappointed. I don't understand why you keep trying belittle danny all the time. You'd mentioned at every chance you could how ahead you thought you was and how it wasn't a race ? Well, you could have fooled me. Can't understand why you would go with a mate, then leave him 🤔

[@mattthomas6597]

Well said Mark

[@krisgleave]

I disagree I actually comment on how good Danny is on his long distance hikes however we also have very different paces. When long distance hiking you need to walk at your own pace albeit on your own or with others then meeting up again later in the days. We set the hike up like this too. He actually unfortunately broke his phone in the torrential weather on our 2nd day as it got soaked which left him without a phone and also didn’t want to carry on without it as he wouldn’t have direct access to speak to home etc..obviously could use mine wherever but I was struggling for reception too. So in the end he decided not to carry on which I respect and I’m sure he’ll come back and smash it another time.

[@gmanic]

I agree, I felt so sorry for Danny going on holiday with his so called mate and permanently having to look for him and being mentioned all the time how far behind he is. You should of gone on your own

[@robfodder5575]

Spot on mark, whatever the reality, this is how this video comes across; goes to do a hike in the mountains with his mate who looses access to his phone, which seems important enough that he goes home. Apparently leaving him behind isn't and wasn't an issue? And going on about leaving him behind, the time gaps...etc., especially doing so in a video? Hmm, not cricket. For the uninitiated, in the mountains, and especially higher mountains, you cant rely on phones, phone signal, good weather...etc. but you should be able to rely on the people you choose to be with.

[@melonadegg]

Do somewhat have to agree with the other person, its more like sometimes comments towards Danny can come off as a type of belittling, even tho you might not feel like tt and its nice of you to clarify but if people telling you this, theres some truth to how what you say sometimes can come across. On a side note the video overall is very good tho :)

[@DadsAdventureTime]

Hi mate ur doing good not shor ur distance is accurate I did the TMB in 7 days and it looks like u will do the same but I'd check ur garman my first 30k day was day 5

[@krisgleave]

Hi, it’s accurate but I had a couple of variations on the route plus I had a very long last day. Day 4 I did 38K and Day 5 was 48km 😖

[@DadsAdventureTime]

Have u finished or are u still on trail

[@krisgleave]

@@DadsAdventureTime I finished….this was the start of September.

[@krisgleave]

@DadsAdventureTime If you check my Strava (link in any video) and scroll below the Apex Challenge tracks you can see my 5 days for this. Should give an idea where I stayed roughly each day. Such a great route isn’t it.

[@DadsAdventureTime]

Hi great job I look at ur strava is added disasters on to ur rout if u loom at it I did it in end of August and my day 1 was 29.6km and I did the trodishanel rout I start and end in the same place my day 2 is 24.4km with the alternet rout over the high ground and my day 3 is the same and I did 28.9km the distance is from farout app and the maps on the gide book I hope u had a great time on trail and sham about the wether look forward to seeing ur day 4 and 5