Hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc (Express) - Day 2

On this leg of the hike, we trekked from Les Contamines up the Chemin Roman and through the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve to the Col du Bonhomme. At an elevation of 7,641 ft, it's still not the highest point on this route. However, the steep, rugged climb provided us with sweeping vistas of high peaks and beautiful landscapes. After reaching the Col du Bonhomme, we were only about halfway done with the hike. Since our destination for the day was the Refuge des Mottets, we had to traverse across more rough and rocky ground to reach the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme. After that, it was on to the highest point on the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Col des Fours at an elevation of 8,750 ft. Instead of this being an 11-mile hike as we had anticipated, the route ended up being more like 15-20 miles. I almost gave up completing the tour after this, but some encouragement from my friends helped me to keep going.

[@ouamoulton8125]

It's beautiful! What month and date that you hike TMB?

[@TolkienLewis]

Oua Moulton Hi! We did this amazing hike in August of 2017.

[@ouamoulton8125]

Tales of the Trails thanks. We going there 8/1/18. You look like you were cold.

[@michaelmalloy9131]

Whatever happened to the rest of the trip? Did you film it?

[@TolkienLewis]

Hi, Michael. I did film the rest of the trip. However, while attempting to transfer the footage to another storage device, I somehow deleted it and wasn’t able to retrieve any of it. I am still kicking myself over it four years later. I hope to do this adventure again someday so that I can re-record it.

[@michaelmalloy9131]

Hi. I am hiking the TMB starting in 3 weeks. Love your videos. So sorry the additional days were lost. Must have been very frustrating. Keep on hiking!

[@TolkienLewis]

@@michaelmalloy9131 Thank you so much, Michael! I’m happy that you enjoy my videos. Im super excited for you with your upcoming TMB trek in 3 weeks. You are going to have such a wonderful time. Just be present in those moments and take it all in. The Alps are out of this world amazing and no pictures or videos can compare to being there. Have a fun and safe trip!

[@action55jackson]

Who was your tour company?

[@TolkienLewis]

action55jackson We used Macs Adventure. They are based in Switzerland.

[@action55jackson]

Tales of the Trails thanks much, my wife and I are considering this trek

[@TolkienLewis]

action55jackson I hope you choose to do it. I think it’s the trip of a lifetime and you will have so much fun. Let me know if I can be of further help. I want you to have a great experience.

[@action55jackson]

Tales of the Trails we are working it into our European train journey for 2019. Have to figure out some logistics such as where to leave our packs when we move to next phase, Orient Express train journey. I am sure my wife, who is the chief planner will have questions as she gets further into the details. Thanks ever so much. By the way, did Rae Lakes with our 2 sons in Aug 1010. Watching your video brought back so many memories!

[@TolkienLewis]

action55jackson Awe, I’m so happy to hear that. I wish you and your wife the happiest and most extraordinary adventure!