How Fit Do You Need to be to Climb Mont Blanc?

Our take on the fitness needed to be able to climb the highest peak in Western Europe. Please note this is highly subjective based on our own experience. The level described is based on still being able to summit with a reasonable safety margin in less than optimal circumstances (snow, wind etc.), not the absolute minimum required for perfect conditions.
Fitness checker: www.montblancguides.com/fitne...
0:00 Intro
0:51 Fitness is linked to safety
2:26 What sort of fitness?
2:57 How to tell if you're fit enough
5:48 Importance of bodyweight
6:51 Age considerations
7:20 What clients say
9:53 Conclusion

[@Calidastas]

I summited Half Dome last summer and I didn’t see a single overweight person at the top. Nothing separates people for endurance climbs like weight. Also, never underestimate acclimatization. Altitude makes a huge difference.

[@rodc4334]

Excellent video. I climbed via the Trois Monts route, out and back, generally considered a bit harder than the more commonly used Gouter route, last summer. By good fortune hit a nice weather window between two storms. I found it to be a nice 10 hour hike/climb, with a 300 ft or so semi-ice climb up the second ridge, before going up Mount Blanc proper. Plus a modest leap across a crevasse just to spice it up a little. Type 1 fun. A longish day, but still had enough gas in the tank to go out for a nice dinner with my wife that evening. I was not as trained as I like to be as this was added to my summer plans rather later than I normally like so did not get started in earnest as early as I normally like. That said, I am never out of shape, just not always in mountain shape. I was 66 at the time. I don't know exactly where I fit in that five step picture as far as being lean goes, but 5'8" and 155 lbs. I am certainly not as lean as when I was 30. To be honest I was nervous about my level of fitness, but it turned out to be rather easier than I feared. That said, this was not my first mountain. I have been rock, ice and mountain climbing for 40 some years, including some semi-technical peaks above 20,000 ft in my early 60s. I would also add, I have no physical gifts other than I know how to train and have the discipline to train very consistently. Pay close attention to the training videos and be consistent and this is well within your reach. Lastly, I think it is good to have a test piece, as noted in this video, to test and measure your training progress. A local mountain even if you need to do laps to get enough vertical is great, but if you do not have that steps in a local college football stadium, office building stairwell, parking garage stairwell, works pretty well too. Also, not bad for training. Do this with your boots and pack for the most accurate test. Work up to something a bit more than Mount Blanc to kind of account for altitude. I used 2000 meters as my test. Best of luck. The view is spectacular!

[@MontBlancGuides]

All useful information, thanks a lot for taking the time to share your experience.🙂

[@andvil01]

Climbed it 2010 in my second year of mountaineering. 36 years of age and 30 in BMI. We did the route from Aiguille du Midi. First scaled Tacul on the way up, then the summit of MB. On the way back my friends made Maudit, but I was a little tired and wanted to save energy for the last ridge up to the cable car down. So I followed some italians down. Back down in Chamonix for lunch before the afternoon thunder storms. Yes it was hard, but manageable. Its about your mind and be able to work for hours. 10-12 h with small breaks. A good way to know is to do the Vasaloppet on xc skiis. 90 km. It will take most average people 7-12 h to compleet. If you can do that, you can do MB and have the right mindset for endurance.

[@philip2107]

Looking forward to climb Mont Blanc within the next few years. I've only recently started to get into the more mountaineering in completing winter skills courses, going to plan a trip to Morocco for Mt Toubkal. Great video, thanks!

[@RichardRostant1]

Thanks for the informative video. Looking forward to climbing MB with you in June.

[@MontBlancGuides]

Look forward to meeting you Richard.

[@simonotter]

Thanks John, that was very motivational for me. I've just finished week 5 of 26 of my training plan. See you in July and we shall see. Looking forward to the training video you have planned.

[@MontBlancGuides]

Thanks Simon, we look forward to seeing you in July.

[@user-zb2st6zi6j]

The biggest problem I have found as I age above 60 is balance. A month ago, I did a 500-meter scramble up a rock ridge on a peak near my home for the first time in 20 years. It was easy 20 years ago, but a month ago, I found it quite intimidating. I can still climb, but it is definitely a lot harder than in the past. I unfortunately have passed the time that I can climb peaks like Mt. Blanc. But I have lots of great memories from the past.

[@rodc4334]

Don’t sell yourself short! If you want, check out Training For The New Alpinism by House and Johnston. Changed my life. As a young man a 30km/20 mile day, 2500m/8000 ft was not a big deal. Despite lots of exercise, half that was a long day by my late 50s. Then I learned how to train, not just exercise. For my 60th birthday I did a 35km/22 mile day, 8 peaks, 2600m/8,600 ft day. Was going to only do 7 peaks but late afternoon realized if I broke out a five mile trail run I could grab one more and still get back in time for a family dinner. It was actually kind of a steady but casual day. Over the 7 years since I’ve been climbing all over the world, including a number of 6000m peaks. Proper training literally changed my life. And yes, I too don’t have youthful balance, so I train that every day too. Mount Blanc is beautiful! But it’s not technical. If you train, I bet you too can do it!

[@jonslade9302]

Great video. Friends and I had a crack at Mt Blanc with John and his team in 2022 but after Gran Paradiso the conditions were too bad to attempt the big one (but the plan B option was just brilliant). Highly recommend John and Mt Blanc Guides. They really do know what they're doing and what they're talking about. I'd only add to John's comments on fitness - and the clients alluded to this - is that the advantage of having done some endurance sports isn't just the physical side but the mental robustness of feeling that it all hurts, but keeping going anyway. That's super valuable when you're 4000m+ up in a blizzard with legs and lungs on fire. We'll be back!

[@MontBlancGuides]

Hi Jon, cheers for that! Best John.

[@ASPAseethrough]

Beginner mountaineer here and I’m learning one needs to slowly build up in altitude and not just take days to acclimate but rather summit smaller mountains so you really understand how your body is reacting to altitude. To build confidence in trusting your body how it reacts to altitude.

[@AlanP1TO10WORLD]

Very good and valuable information, Thanks for sharing

[@MontBlancGuides]

YW!

[@loganprice6364]

Great Video John! I booked with MBG in 2021 and the guides were fantastic! What I would say from my experience is fitness is totally separate from your ability to operate at altitude… that isn’t to take away from what John is saying! You must be fit enough to climb & walk for hours however your ability to deal with altitude is something equally if not more important to consider. ‘The Altitude Centre’ in London offer great consultations to assess your ability to work at altitude (which you often wouldn’t know unless you’ve dealt with altitude before).

[@MontBlancGuides]

Hi, thanks for that and glad you had a good time with us. You're right that fitness and altitude susceptibility are two separate things: two people can have equal fitness but different propensities to develop altitude sickness, so one gets sick when the other does not. However being fitter and working at a lower percentage of your maximum also means you are less likely to have problems, so two people could have the same genetic altitude susceptibility, and the fitter one not get sick when the less fit one does. They are separate, but linked, qualities.

[@davidgriffiths7696]

Soloed in 3/9/93. Was fit in those days able to cycle 100 miles+ per day and already 2 months spent in Alps so used to altitude. Climbing a thousand metres vertical per hour at lower altitude was quite routine when eating up easy terrain, and I think not a bad measure of fitness for climbing more slowly at 4 to 6000 m+. Having the capacity to run for hours at altitude over rough ground is a survival asset you will not be able to use when connected to a slow moving column of hikers of varying ability tied onto a rope, which always struck me as dangerous in the event of an avalanche, although a lone climber mightn’t necessarily get out of the way either, and clearly an advantage being on a rope with crevasses nearby/hidden. At this fitness level mt Blanc was fairly easy, just a steady plod up long snow slopes in the silence above the plunging fractured (Bossons?) glacier at about 7000 feet. Camped in a snow hole on the Grand plateau, then went up to the summit next morning, nice view can see for what seems 150 miles+ passing the top aluminium refuge at about 4300m and descended all the way to Chamonix the next day. It’s a nice walk, scenic, varied, like a desert of snow up there, although some soot visible in places. But some dangerous spots, a cravass or 2 to cross, avalanches possible, and it you got stuck in a blizzard for too long, could get frozen. I seem to remember the death rate is about 1 death in every 200 ascents. These are the things that are long remembered and temper a persons character.

[@LeDante06]

I feel like you forgot one key aspect when it comes to mountaineering. I have done many summits in Switzerland and from my experience mental readiness (resilience and mind set) is an extremely important factor. What I mean by that is that the alpine environment can be very harsh at times with weather shifts and conditions. I have seen many climbers fail because they were not ready mentally to face hard conditions. Mountaineering is not like hiking for instance, if you want to train for such a climb you should train in none optimal conditions (rain, cold, snow, night, etc.). To be physically ready is very important yes but we can usually push or body much further than we actually think if we are mentally ready. My advice would be to train out of the confort zone because such mountains will very much push out of your confort zone.

[@Vicentecarmonagonza]

Thank you for sharing this information. I would like to ask you a question: Is it possible to climb Mont Blanc during the month of May?

[@user-sj2tn6mc5m]

Hi, Thanks for the informative video, really enjoyed it. I would greatly appreciate your help... I suppose to land in Geneva on July 2 at 9:40 am I wanted to know if you think I will be able to get to Les Contamines Montjoie (14km +/- from the starting point) on the same day, or is it better for me to wait the day in Les-Houches and start the trek the day after?

[@nosiestaguiding]

Superbe John. Very professionally done 👍 all the necessary information to answer the majority of the questions that arise.

[@MontBlancGuides]

Hey Francis, long time no speak, thanks for that + hope all good with you. Is the Garrigues still going strong? John

[@mdvries_2]

Nice video John. I'm well into training for a June summit attempt with you guys. Because I'm from the Netherlands where it's flat as a pancake it's hard to find the altitude gain. Highest 'peak' here is 34 meters and gaining 1000+ meters there in one go is something I'd rather not do again. So I'm training a lot by cycling with a power meter and heart rate sensor while monitoring my VO2 max increase over time. Do you have any experience with this training method for Mont Blanc, or recommendations? Any way to compare Mont Blanc with a bike ride of a certain distance / speed / intensity?

[@MontBlancGuides]

Hi, that's pretty much what I do to stay fit actually. Cycling with a power meter is perfect training, it doesn't matter if there aren't any hills, pushing your VO2 max / ftp up is exactly what you need to do. You won't be working in those zones on the ascent, more zone 2/3, but doing what you're doing will definitely make everything easier. See you in June!

[@SuperAnatolli]

Question here. I have done "Skåla", highest constant uphill in Norway (appr 1800m), on foot and ski (you have to carry the skis and boots on your backpack the first 600 meters, then put on skis and climbing skins). Star is at 50 m MSL. I have done 3 times and it use to take just under 4 hours. I have also done several, much longer randonee tours, but not so much elevation, usually 900-1200 meters (but up to 10km one way). No problem. Cycling: 90km MTB in just under 5 hours (Cykelvasan, Sweden. It is not flat...). Not superfast, but OK. But running: I cant run even 200 meters. When I am totaly exhausted. How about that? I can't run, but I think I can push on quite OK in other diciplines. If I am trying MtBlanc, I will train a lot anyway...

[@amiLli257]

Nothing pushed my heart as fast as randonee, i did half marathons but randonee is way more exhausting (for me).

[@user-ju9hg9er8w]

Recommended information for those who want to climb the M.Blanc..... You hear a lot of comments from people, saying it's an easy 4000...... But when you upload it... altitude, tiredness, cold, the weather can become a hell, in minutes.s Prospects🍀

[@MontBlancGuides]

Thank you.

[@user-ju9hg9er8w]

@@MontBlancGuides 🍀🍀

[@09dunny]

Hi, me and my son have hiked up the big 3 in the uk. Always took the more adventurous routes. We would love to do this together. My boy is 14 would he be able do this if he puts the work in and would you guide us up?

[@kryrek]

what if someone has good endurance, can withstand 12 or even 16 hours of hiking in the mountains but overall is slow?

[@DeDe-ly4bd]

Would be interested in a how to train video

[@MontBlancGuides]

Work in progress!

[@silvermoon___]

Is this a 1 day climb?

[@tecmissle9256]

I am confident that I will climb 1500m for about 3h but i dont know how to prepare for the altitude above 3k m

[@MontBlancGuides]

We take care of the acclimatisation on the course by spending 2 nights at altitude and climbing another 4000m peak; unless you are exceptionally susceptible to altitude, that should be enough.

[@amandakatinic7277]

I've watch a couple of your videos and it seems like you have mostly male clients, would that be an accurate assessment?

[@MontBlancGuides]

Mostly male yes, but quite a few females none the less, many of whom come on their own. The mountain doesn't discriminate on this point, man/woman, old/young, experienced/inexperienced it doesn't matter, if you're fit enough you make it, if you're not you don't.

[@bilaltahir9978]

Clearly aerobic fitness is the most important but what about strength training?

[@MontBlancGuides]

In my experience no one ever failed because they didn't do enough strength training. It's all about aerobic.

[@bilaltahir9978]

@@MontBlancGuides thanks do you recommend doing the Phil Maffetone method of endurance training (180 - age)?

[@MontBlancGuides]

Don't know that one sorry

[@mickeyhoward3851]

I had a good experience with MBG last year. These guys are some of the best in the business, but you have to come prepared. I'm not a runner, so walked up hills every weekend and got into cycling. Aged 56, I knew this was going to be a challenge - and I wasn't wrong, but such a sense of achievement.

[@MontBlancGuides]

@@mickeyhoward3851 Hi Mickey, thanks for that, glad you enjoyed your time with us. (56 is not old btw, I'm 57!)

[@uilleachan]

A: Multi Munro fit + properly acclimatised.

[@tomtom4405]

Yes 🤣 but... that just moves the goalposts, opinions on multi Munro fit will differ!

[@uilleachan]

You either know or you don't.

[@phildurre9492]

lol 1300m is for an hour and a half, not 4 hours…

[@domen1154]

Not at high altitude.

[@TheRoamine74]

Snow, wind, altitude and heavy backpack/equipment change the game.

[@LYVwithLYN]

0 fit - VR tech, sitting on rhe sofa and summitting!

[@coal6tamarack2374]

The question is: Why would you even want to climb Mont Blanc if you’ve never climbed another mountain? There are easier peaks that are even more beautiful. The only reason that I can imagine is Instagram bragging rights. And if that’s your motivation then you’re very much in it for all the wrong reasons.

[@MontBlancGuides]

I certainly don’t get the impression from most of our clients that they are trying to impress anyone else, rather they are setting themselves a personal challenge. I try not to be too judgmental of other people’s motivations.

[@heathgarrick713]

Why would you not? Pushing your own boundaries and challenging yourself is something that everyone should do. Not only does it help your physical and mental well being. It will provide a sense of achievement that will empower you and give you confidence. Not to mention the spectacular views. Social media bragging rights is secondary. Otherwise your going to sit at home and have a negative opinion on people trying to achieve something amazing.

[@hankschrader2353]

No, but you could also follow a natural progression. Work your way up to the elevation by submitting a couple of lower mountains. A few 3ks, 4ks etc

[@donaldcook3112]

@@MontBlancGuidesJust wondering?.. What’s your ‘standard’ fee?..

[@wildernesshomefilms]

What reasons should I have to go climb a mountain according to you bro? Sounds pretty judgmental and gatekeeping so I can’t wait to hear you prove me wrong and list some objective reasons.

[@LYVwithLYN]

See why would I climb a mountain name kill a man and Jarroe! Poor Jarroe already diead, God alone knows how many man got kill.

[@DanielMartinez-vj6wd]

Mont Blanc is cooler, who cares in Instagram if you climb Rosablanche, Pigne d’Arolla…?