Hiking the TMB with my son - Part 2 Refugio Elisabetta to Champex

In the summer of 2019, my 14 year old son and I hiked the incredible Tour du Mont Blanc, camping all the way. This is part 2 and includes some of the most beautiful scenery of the whole TMB. From the wonderful Refugio Elisabetta, over to Courmayeur and up and into Switzerland, the TMB delivers breathtaking views and wonderful adventure.
No drones, gimbals etc - it's basically my family video but I thought it was worth sharing and it will definitely give you a sense of this part of the TMB and the joy it was to walk it.
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#tmb #tourdumontblanc
One thing just to add....This section includes the head scratching part of the route for campers. We ended up catching a bus from Courmayeur to a camp site further up the valley which does miss some of the stunning Bonatti area scenery but it worked for us and our itinerary. Tourist information was super helpful in Courmayeur about buses etc.

[@wtn]

Great Hiking the Tour! Incredible beautiful Views!

[@GavinMetheringham]

Thank you very much!

[@tamaraabrams472]

This is fabulous! Thanks for posting. So inspiring. I'm planning to do the trek this summer. Do you have a written description of your itinerary with campsites day by day? Thank you!

[@GavinMetheringham]

Hi there. Glad you enjoyed it. I don't have an itinerary or written description sorry.. The 2 guide books we used listed all the campsites which was super helpful. But there were other resources I looked at like the one below. You can find more by googling Tour du mont blanc camping blog. www.nomadswithapurpose.com/tour-du-mont-blanc-camping/

[@rachelretallick4804]

Loved the kitten!

[@rockbeetle]

😆😆 I think Sam was starting to lose it!

[@GavinMetheringham]

More than usual😃

[@claytonpiper6614]

Cheers Gav! Awesome job Sam 🎉

[@seamushand8439]

Love the feel of this video. Im sure you will review this when Sam is older as a great experience. Downhill from le Veille Maison to Courmayeur is horrible on the knees

[@GavinMetheringham]

Thank you! That downhill was definitely hard work but it's amazing how quickly we all spring back once the backpack is off! Definitely agree on the looking back. Doing these videos will help fill some memory gaps too as time passes too.

[@vanhallaadventures]

I’m really enjoying your videos! Next question I have - is there 1 language you felt would be helpful to know on the trail? I know it passes through 3 countries and I’m trying to figure out which language I should study the most this year.

[@GavinMetheringham]

If you do the traditional stages you'll be in France more than Italy or Switzerland. English is understood pretty much all over either well, ok or enough for communication to happen. If you're just learning the language for the TMB I'd say French. Also, the Swiss section of the TMB is in the French speaking part of Switzerland so French will work there too. Then a few phrases of Italian and you'd be way better off than we were!

[@kevinkrueckemeier]

Great videos :)

[@GavinMetheringham]

Thanks

[@darrencurtisuk]

Great stuff! Was there any food available at Tronchy camp site??

[@GavinMetheringham]

Hi. The campsite has a small shop for basic supplies. There is a restaurant next door to the campsite but we didn't use it and a Google of 'restaurant tronchey' doesn't rate as very good. We stocked up in Courmayeur.

[@Nornin]

Did you record what you brought on your trip? I'm doing it in August and I'm looking for tips on what to bring :)

[@GavinMetheringham]

We didn't sorry but we travelled as light as we could/money allowed. We each took a pair of walking trousers and a pair of shorts, 2 pairs of socks, 2 underwear, 2 t-shirts, a mid layer, a more substantial mid-layer (should have gone with something warmer with a hood I think), hat, waterproof top and trousers, slides/flip flops. MSR elixir 2 tent, thermarest xlite sleeping pad, little inflatable pillow, a piece of foam to sit on, first aid kit, gas canister, soto windmaster burner, 750ml titanium pot, spork, mug, bowl, 15w solar panel, 10000mah power bank, cameras, phones, 2 guide books, sawyer squeeze water filter, we took 6xbreakfast portions and 6xfreeze dried meals, trail mix and dried banana. Hiking poles. I think that was it. Oh and backpacks. Are you camping it?

[@andrewsmith131]

Oh, the irony! The next video after this for me is ‘7 ways to discipline your child’ No such problem for you. You must be very proud of your Lad.

[@GavinMetheringham]

Haha! That's funny. Yes, extremely proud of him. Putting the videos together reminded me all over again of how well he did! Cheers.

[@rawveganfoodforthought2333]

You drank six liters of water per day?????? Was that between the two of you?

[@GavinMetheringham]

Yes, between us but we only ever carried a maximum of 2 litres each. Loads of chances to fill up along the route - easily possible to get by with carrying less.

[@roadnottaken2780]

How did you book the refugios?

[@GavinMetheringham]

Hi, We camped so didn't stay in the refugios. Generally the refugios can be contacted direct to book accommodation.