Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB) Hike: Meet Hank in the Alps

Experience the stunning Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB), a 110-mi/170-km, 12-day circuit around Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Hank gathers five friends from around the world to hike over the route's 11 mountain passes -- including the Col du Bonhomme, Col des Fours, Col de la Grande Ecaille, Col de la Seigne, Grand Col Ferret, and the Fenêtre d’Arpette. They also stop at classic refuges, including Auberge du Truc, La Croix du Bonhomme, Refuge Robert Blanc, Refuge Elisabetta, and the Refuge de la Flégère.
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[@adrienlac]

Wow! What a beautiful, epic, memorable journey ! Congratulations on completing the tour du Mont Blanc and thank you for sharing your experience in a 52 min video! Great narration and editing, gorgeous views, it's never boring to watch, I can tell you worked in tv! Your videos have such a unique blend of positivity, adventurous spirit, and generosity. That sense of gratefulness for sharing the same road even for a little while with your "family" is really infectious! You made my day!

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Adrien! I'm so glad you liked the video -- and I'm also happy you never got bored (the video ended up a little long, but oh well). Are you planning on doing the Tour du Mont Blanc sometime soon?

[@ekimpp]

Meeee! Sept 2019

[@huguessicotte4752]

thanks so much, this is a well balanced video. Almost like a movie (helps that this is your profession). Epic challenges and surmounting those challenges. I really liked that you shot some of the chalet and food along the way. Meeting new people is the best part of such treks and you exemplified this well by making two new friends.

[@reneerogers7618]

Wonderful intro! looks like you chose some happy hikers. I enjoyed listening to you guys. You were truly a family out there. So neat to have an international group. you guys were tough taking that extra trek high up. Thank you for sharing.

[@HankLeukart]

hi renee, i'm so glad you enjoyed the video and found it inspiring! yeah, we had a great group and loved our trip!

[@aafgahfah]

I did courmayeur to Les Houches with some friends about 10 years ago. We all swore we’d meet up again and finish it. We never have. I now have 3 children. We probably have about 20 kids between us who didn’t exist back then. Next year I’m going and I will do the whole damn thing and that is that. Great vid. Thanks for the continued motivation.

[@HankLeukart]

you gotta do it!! tell everyone to get babysitters and go. it's worth it. let me know what happens!!

[@MalikAbdulRahman-lw6op]

Where this place

[@flipstricksfliptricks9386]

This reminds me so much of my 10 day backpacking trip in Colorado. I went with Boy Scouts and even though I haven’t seen some of those guys in months, I still consider them brothers and I owe that to Colorado

[@HankLeukart]

we go to so much effort to travel to the most beautiful places but afterward we mostly just remember the people we hung out with!

[@jamesspacer7994]

Very nicely made (and hiked)!

[@HankLeukart]

thank you!

[@mikatu]

Great video. Not the normal crapy youtube production. Congrats!

[@HankLeukart]

thanks! glad you enjoyed it!

[@skipandcherieadventures116]

Brought back memories of our Tour Mont Blanc July 2019!

[@HankLeukart]

so glad you enjoyed it! it's a great trip.

[@chrisheijna1464]

I walked the TMB several times and watched countless of videos about it on Toutube and this video is, by far, the best. It really tells a story about a tramily [trail+family] insted of people endlesly talking in the camera or just showing landscapepictures.

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks so much, Chris! Glad you liked it -- and jealous that you've walked the TMB so many times. What trip do you have planned next?!

[@chrisheijna1464]

I have no plans for this year. We have a young, female, Turvueren dog at he moment and I hope to take her with me on trips starting next year. Transardennaise, Mullertalltrail and trails like it to start with. And then …. West Highland way, TMB again with tent? We'll see what happens in the future.

[@clarefriend1376]

Did TMB in August 2011 . This was so much fun to see this video. Brought back so many good memories.

[@HankLeukart]

glad you enjoyed it! it's a great trip. do you have another adventure planned?

[@GewoonTeike]

Holy cow, the kind of mountain hiking you did on nike tennis shoes is incredibly dangerous because the lack of grip and support, but, since you all survived it, is also a huge acomplishment. Thanks for sharing your fun and near death experiences with us on youtube.

[@HankLeukart]

she quickly upgraded her shoes, i promise

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

Some really fine people you hang with, Hank. Thoroughly enjoyed tagging along. God Bless!

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks, Michael! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jerryjbloodworth6010]

Man,glad I discovered your channel yesterday.You know how to live and Really get around!

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks, Jerry! Glad you're enjoying the videos!

[@kiltedkelt]

What a fantastic video, great to watch. I don’t know what made Parker think that mountaineering in tennis shoes was a good idea though. Even Scotland if you take to the hills with such footwear you get bombarded with negative comments. I can only imagine the negativity Parker was on the receiving end of in the alps. Kudos to her for keeping up her spirits and carrying on until she managed to get more suitable footwear. To be honest tho, considering the amount of scree, boulder fields, snow and ice you clambered through I don’t think any of you had in proper footwear for the mountains - no ankle support between you, very lucky none went over on their ankles. Still you all did amazing.

[@HankLeukart]

thank you! so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Julian-kp2iq]

Best (of many) TMB videos I have watched - especially the Refuge Robert Blanc section as I will be over nighting there on 8 July

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Trevor! Thanks so much -- that's quite a compliment considering how many TMB videos are out there! I'm really glad you liked it. I can't recommend the Robert Blanc section enough. It was everyone's favorite part of our trip. It's definitely more of an adventure (make sure you are ready to navigate there, especially if it's foggy), but beautiful and fun. Let me know how it is and if you have any questions, let me know!

[@joaoleiteneto668]

I hope to do it as soon as I can, after these crazy days we're facing. I enjoyed a lot this video!

[@HankLeukart]

Glad you enjoyed it! You should definitely do it -- it's a great trip!

[@lindacorradi9927]

Really enjoyed your video - looking forward to our trip own TMB next month!

[@HankLeukart]

thank you! i hope you have a great trip!

[@marissatamayo3699]

Hallo, what an exciting walk around the Mont Blanc. As an homeopathic practitioner and also someone who loves to hike in the nature, I will give you a tip, when you have pain on your knee you could use Pulsatilla C30 (homeopathic remedy), in grains.. one grain ander your tong at the moment that you have pain, three in one day. Stop taking the remedy when the pains stops. It really helps. But you have to be very careful with cheese and pizza... better away from those for a couple of days.

[@honusail]

Hank, your videos are always first class. Thank you!

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks so much, Honu! So happy you enjoyed it!!

[@gercokoks9167]

What a great video and camaraderie!!

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks so much!

[@rodc4334]

Hank, fabulous video, very professional. Photography was stunning. Story was well done. My wife has decided we need to do this to celebrate her turning 60 next year. I mentioned this hike a few years ago, but it seem daunting so she just did not gravitate to it. Somehow it now sparks her imagination. When she told me this is what we need to do, I did not say, hon, I suggested this three years ago and you were not interested. I am smarter than that, I just said "ok if we must". :) So videos like yours are fun and helpful! And inspiring! But dude, you are the experienced hiker! It did not occur to you suggest to your girlfriend she needed real shoes to hike 100 miles across the Alps?! Fortunately she seems to have had a great time, and picked up some real shoes along the way! But man, gear is pricey in Europe! Thanks for the video!

[@HankLeukart]

thanks so much for the kind words! so glad you liked it. yes, i highly recommend doing the TMB -- it's an incredibly beautiful hike! as for my girlfriend, she's experienced enough to make her own decisions. in her defense, the side trip to robert blanc was more challenging than anyone expected, which is part of the reason she needed better shoes. i also think her shoe treads were in worse shape than she realized once we were already out there. but yes, if at all possible, buy your gear before going to europe!!

[@rodc4334]

@@HankLeukart I left off the smilie face. :) Meant the comment on shoes to be humorous. Met a guy once hiking the AT, about 1500 miles in, in crocs, so one can hike in almost anything! Thanks again.

[@mayachristian33]

This is amazing! I’m so glad you filmed this and allow us to get good information! I was wondering though, what was the cost of the whole journey? Thank you and glad you enjoyed your trip!!

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Maya! Glad you liked the video! I'd estimate about €60 per day (€50 for lodging with dinner and breakfast, plus €10 for lunch), which is about €720 total. You'll spend more money if you stay in any hotels instead of staying in refugios. You can save money by bringing/making your own food and buying groceries so you're not buying meals at refugios (especially your own lunch food). You can save even more money by camping instead of staying in refugios. Also don't forget to include the cost for transportation (we took a shared shuttle) to and from the airport. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, let me know! You can also see our TMB Packing List video for lots more info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpy8hap3fd6dppY

[@mariettebardoel5225]

Hank Leukart I

[@dempseydoodle2010]

Love this, I'm planning to do this summer of 2020. But I'm going to shoot for 4 days. Great job on the video!

[@HankLeukart]

Hey, Jessica! Glad you enjoyed it. If you have any planning questions, let me know!

[@michaelcameron2292]

Wheres Aelie

[@sutash9043]

This was sooo amazing! I've been looking forward to watch it all day long since I received the notification that you'd uploaded a new video. I have to say this was waaaay more incredible than I expected. New dream: do that hike.

[@HankLeukart]

Hey, Su! I'm so glad you liked the video! Yeah, my friends and I had a great time on the hike. I definitely recommend it. Have you done any other long-distance hikes?

[@sutash9043]

@@HankLeukart I've done the W trail in Torres del Paine, Chile, but I couldn't complete it, cos it was my first experience camping backpacking and I wasn't very well prepared. Mostly, the thing is that I'm a bit slow, since I'm not used to having to "climb" rocks, so I was quite insecure when dealing with obstacles, like where to put each foot. I was afraid of falling. But I'm planning to spend next summer (January til mid february in the southern hemisphere) hiking in the south of Chile. That'll hopefully give me enough experience. So, who knows, Maybe in a year or two I'll be able to do the Mont Blanc.

[@HankLeukart]

​@@sutash9043 My brother and I did the full circuit in Torres del Paine and it's beautiful, but yeah, sections of it can be quite challenging. But it takes time for your skills to increase -- the first trip my brother and I took in Alaska, we didn't have much experience at all and we had a lot of trouble, but with every trip we get better and better at handling the unexpected! Going to Chile sounds amazing! I've been to Patagonia in Chile too but haven't done any hiking down there. Do you have specific hiking plans? The Tour du Mont Blanc isn't too hard -- it's a very well-trafficked and defined trail (no navigation problems and you don't need to take the more difficult routes to Robert Blanc or over the Fentre D'Arpette like we did). And you get to stay in Refugios at night! With good shoes, most people with decent fitness can do it no problem.

[@sutash9043]

@@HankLeukart I don't have too specific plans, just a couple of hikes that I'm definitely going to do (one of them is the Villarrica volcano) and then the rest, well, I'll let Chile surprise me and take me wherever it wants :-)) And about staying at the refugios, yes, I know it's definitely the most comfortable option, but certainly not the cheapest, and when it's a struggle to save every dollar, I'd better be prepared to carry my camping gear.

[@HankLeukart]

Yeah, and carrying all your own stuff is more of an adventure anyway. I hope you have a great time in Chile! I can't wait to hear all about the trip! I meant to say above that I've also been to Patagonia in Argentina but haven't done any hiking there. Obviously, the Torres del Paine is in Chilean Patagonia and I spent 12 days hiking there.

[@johnvanderhulst4778]

Great movie Hank, greetings from the Netherlands.

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, John! Thank you! I'm so glad you liked the video. I hope you get a chance to do the hike -- the Netherlands is very nearby! -Hank

[@kerrykells7052]

I am really loving this video, Hank, and your drone shots-so professional and creative. I found your videos searching on the New Zealand Te Araroa thru-hike and am looking forward to watching those videos. You seem like such a nice guy. I would love to see more videos if you went back to hike the W in Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia. Also, I am looking to thru-hike the Kungsleden trail in Sweden in the future and wonder if that one is on your radar? It can be done in less than a month. So glad Parker got better hiking shoes!

[@HankLeukart]

Hey, Kerry! Thanks for your nice compliments. My brother and I hiked the complete "O" in Torres del Paine years ago, but it was before we were filming our hikes, so we only have still photos from the trip. However, an upcoming video that I'm working on which highlights a bunch of our hikes will include a whole bunch of photographs from that trip, so stay tuned. I've never done Kungsleden but it's very high on my list. Maybe next year. Have you done it? -Hank

[@derbywinner6316]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Which are your favorite Refugios .?

[@yaro_s3155]

Nice hiking video, hope i will go in the next year also !

[@HankLeukart]

glad you liked the video! and i hope you get a chance to do the hike -- it's amazing!

[@kellysadventurouslife]

Beautiful cinematography and drone footage! I was amazed as to how many kilometers you hiked each day! What a wonderful family of friends you had joining you on this amazing adventure!

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Kelly! So glad you liked the video. Yeah, I was pretty exhausted at the end of each day because of all the mountain passes. But Andy seemed to have no problem. :)

[@bujanggawaigallery5453]

Boomsss so cool experience, i enjoyed every minute of this video, i can imagine if i joined with your team super excited, hope i can be there for see a crazy place when i have a enough budget hahahahaa because I'm students now.. glad to watch your videos, my favourite list video. Greetings from Indonesia 👋

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Bujang! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! Any tips for adventures to do in Indonesia next time I'm there? -Hank

[@bujanggawaigallery5453]

@@HankLeukart nothing special tips, only enjoy Indonesia. Maybe need a extra spirit for get a crazy place, because it so far from city and airport.. hope can see you bro 😁

[@krips22]

Nice video, Hank. That was pleasant to watch. For the record, Les Houches is pronounced roughly lay oosh .

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks -- glad you liked it! Haha, yeah, I am pretty good at pronouncing it now that I've made the video, but I always manage to screw up pronunciation during filming. So embarrassing!

[@EspenFrafalne]

10.000meters rise in elevations is like climbing Kilimanjaro 1,7 times (without the low oxygen levels)..! I did some math, and this TMB trip was 14km with 833meters rise in elevation on average per day, 12 days in a row... Think im gonna have to stick to my local forests and small mountains. I believe the tallest climb around my local area is 310meters, and it is part of a 14,7km round trip... I tried that once, with no backpack, and just carrying maybe 1,5liters of water, and that was pretty much my LIMIT.

[@HankLeukart]

yeah, it is a fairly strenuous trip, but if you do some training, you can work your way up to it. the nice thing is that at night, you can relax in a hut with someone cooking you dinner -- and if worse comes to worse, there are many towns along the way where you can grab a bus and head out if you're finished. the views are worth it.

[@mazzy13ify]

Hi Hank! We'll be doing the TMB hike in 3 weeks as well. Just a quick question, did you use your mobile phone with internet as the trail Navigator? Or Trail Signs are quite easy to read from refugios to the next refugios? Or should we just use an actual Map? Or should I download offline maps? Great Channel BTW! Regards!

[@HankLeukart]

Hi! For the most part, the trail signs are so easy to follow that I rarely needed to consult anything else. However, for standard safety reasons, we also carried a full TMP map bought at a store in Les Houches and consulted maps in the Kev Reynolds Tour of Mont Blanc book when necessary. I also consulted Gaia GPS on my iPhone on occasion, which allows you to download map areas offline so you don't need phone service to use it when on the trail. Hope that helps! Glad you like the channel.

[@mazzy13ify]

@@HankLeukart Thanks a lot!

[@megansanchez2796]

How do you only have 3.7k sub's? Your videos are awesome.

[@HankLeukart]

Haha, thanks so much! Tell your friends :)

[@danie2300]

Hi, Really appreciated your video since I am presently planning the trip. I can now see the difference between the main path and the other paths. I am curious and would like to know the make and model of shoes that Parker bought overthere. Would like too see the sole actually. So thank you for the info if you can provide. Hope you can continue to mix work with those great trips. Tks and keep enjoying life.

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Danielle! So glad you liked the video! The shoes Parker got over there were the La Sportiva Hyper Woman GTX Approach hiking shoes. The added grip really made her trip more enjoyable! Let me know if you have any other questions planning the TMB. Have a great time!! -Hank

[@lovelotuslife]

Hank, you rock!

[@HankLeukart]

Thank you, Heather! Glad you enjoyed the video. Are you planning to go to the Alps?

[@lovelotuslife]

@@HankLeukart Yes.. planning for 2020. Now I know who to contact for any questions! Thank you

[@colleenhennessy2450]

Loved your video!!! I am hoping to go first two weeks of september like you did, except camping the whole way! Would love to pick your brain on your gear list! Do you have a packing video?? I am worried about being too cold and want to make sure I have enough!

[@HankLeukart]

Hey, Colleen -- so glad you liked the video! You'll have a great time! You can watch the packing list video we made specifically for that trip here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpy8hap3fd6dppY My girlfriend both discuss the list, so we talk about it from both the guy's and girl's perspective -- hopefully you'll find that helpful. In the description of that video, there's also a written gear list that includes suggested brands, etc. Keep in mind that if you'll be camping the whole way you'll obviously also need to carry a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad, which I think is mentioned in that video but not required if you're only sleeping at huts. You can still choose to eat at the huts for a fee -- otherwise you'll also need to bring a cook system (stove, pot, etc.). Let me know if you have any other questions! -Hank

[@mia-pham]

Love your videos! This was another really great one. Have you considered hiking the “O” trek at Torres del Paine in Patagonia? Would love to watch your experience backpacking that one.

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Mia! So glad you liked it! Yes, my brother and I actually did the Torres del Paine O Trek some years ago, but that was before we filmed our trips, so I only have still photos of the trip. Maybe we'll go back and do it again to film it? :) But, soon, we'll be putting up a video of the best hikes that we've done all around the world and there will be a segment in that video about our Torres del Paine trip. So watch for that! Thanks for watching!! -Hank

[@gymnasticsfull]

HI! Awesome video! I am doing the TMB this summer and I was wondering where you can get to the more rocky part on min 27 in your video, it is not part of the official tour right? thanks!

[@HankLeukart]

that part of the video shows us climbing up to the italy border on the trail from refugio robert blanc. that refugio is not on the primary TMB route, but there are plenty of refugios that are off-route that are worth visiting. i recommend grabbing one of the guidebooks and looking over all of the alternate route options -- there's a lot and many are worth doing, even though you probably can't do them all due to time constraints/weather constraints. hope that helps.

[@gymnasticsfull]

Thanks a lot!

[@kurko38]

Yo lo hice hace 4 años y es una increíble experiencia

[@HankLeukart]

yeah, it's amazing hike. glad you got to do it!

[@mboumard]

Thank you :-)

[@HankLeukart]

glad you liked it!

[@mboumard]

Beutiful and professional Video, which combine the views, the trail story and the social atmosphear - Bravo. I plan the TMB at September 21 (Assuming/Hopping CovID 19 will be behiend us by this summer), I am considering the "Robert Blank variant" ... It is the first video I see of it , and realize that "Normal people" can do it :-). I would like to ask : How much time did it take from Bonhome to Robert Blank? and at the next day to Elisabeta? How difficult is it - comparing with the climb to Bonhome, or the other days...? Thanks Michael Boumard

[@HankLeukart]

Hey, Michael! Glad you enjoyed it! The Robert Blanc side trip is a good adventure, but it is _significantly_ harder than the primary TMB route, so just keep that in mind. (It's harder to navigate, especially in bad weather, which is common, and the cols/saddles you need to climb over are much steeper than anything on the TMB proper.) We took 7 hours to walk from La Croix du Bonhomme to Robert Blanc (first few hours were in foggy weather), and 6 hours to walk from Robert Blanc to Elisabetta. Those two days were definitely the hardest part of our trip.

[@mboumard]

@@HankLeukart Thank you for important information. Michael B.

[@DCRunner93]

LOVE this video. Of all the TMB videos I've watched (which is many) this is hands down the best! I'm hiking the TMB again in a month. I'm thinking of bringing a drone. May I ask who did you use for your liability insurance when you were there? I'm having the hardest time finding coverage to purchase for my trip. I live in the US.

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks, I'm glad you like the video! There's a bunch of companies that do on-demand, per-flight drone insurance. Check out Verifly, or SkyWatch.AI.

[@DCRunner93]

Thanks for the reply. I already checked out those sites. Unfortunately they only offer coverage in the US not globally.

[@HankLeukart]

@@DCRunner93 I know that at least with SkyWatch, you have to be a US citizen/resident to sign up, but you can fly your drone insured anywhere in the world.

[@mpkauffm]

Loved the video, but KZbin has decided to triple the amount of commercials recently - losing my mind with constant interruptions every 3-5 minutes!

[@HankLeukart]

Glad you liked it! Also, I took a look at the ad settings for this video and reduced the number of ads shown. KZbin recently changed their default ad settings across the board, and in some cases it ends up showing way too many ads, in my opinion.

[@howtoplayalone]

This is fantastic. I've been itching to go. Couple of questions: Did you take your tent (and presumably two bags and pads) for just one night camping? (It seems you didn't expect that one either, but the refuge was full.) Also, I'm dying to see part two of the NZ one if you ever get around to it. I binged all those episodes. Anyway, thank you, and well done!

[@HankLeukart]

Thanks so much -- I'm glad you liked the video! The answer to your camping question is a strange one. I booked nearly all of the lodging in advance, because the TMB is extremely popular. I knew in advance about that refuge being full. The refuge told us in advance that they could serve us dinner, but they didn't have any beds for us. So, we came up with a ridiculous plan: we all carried sleeping bags and tents from the start until we got there. We camped there using the gear. Then, we all hiked to Robert Blanc with the gear. At THAT point, Brittany carried ALL four sets of our camping gear out, left them at our hotel, and then took a bus to meet us in Italy. It only worked for us because of the bizarre situation we had where Brittany couldn't join us in Italy. Thank you so much for your kind words about the NZ series. I expect there to be a number of more episodes (that are already filmed) but the edit time on those things is astronomical. I'm going to try to get it done this summer! Hopefully. Thanks again!!

[@sebastianweih2299]

Trying to plan a trip to do the hike. Where there any sorts of permits you needed to cross the borders into other countries along the hike? And how did you figure out which refuges to stay at? Can you camp anywhere along the trail too?

[@HankLeukart]

Hi Sebastian, As far as I'm aware, as long as you have a Schengen Area visa (or have a passport that allows you 90 days of visa-free travel in the Schengen Area) , you don't need any special permits or documentation to cross the borders. None of the border crossings had any checkpoints of guards when we did the trip, but obviously you should be sure you have a Schengen Area visa before doing this trip in case the border situations change. As for where to stay, you can use this web site to plan your route and places to stay www.autourdumontblanc.com/en/. (Almost all refuges are available on this web site, though not all hotels are.) It's not legal to camp in arbitrary places along the trail, but there are lots of legal campsites (one night, we paid to camp outside one of the refugios; they made us dinner and we could use their bathrooms and showers). I hope that helps!

[@antsy_does]

Awesome video!! I'm planning this hike for 2020 - did you go in September? Did you make reservations for the refuges ahead of time?

[@HankLeukart]

Hi, Alex! Glad you liked the video. Yes, we did this hike at the beginning of September, and I made reservations at nearly all the places we stayed ahead of time because of the intense popularity of this trip. Many refuges will be booked by the time you arrive. If you have any other questions or need help planning, let me know!

[@antsy_does]

@@HankLeukart Thanks!! How busy was it for you? Large crowds? Did you ever get stuck behind a crowd of hikers? I'm the solitary type and really torn between getting an early start (last week of June) versus late start (first week of September). I really want to avoid the larger crowds at (almost) all costs! :)

[@Duuk_the_Dog]

@@antsy_does hi, did you in the mean time find more info on what is better for a quiet trail, June or september? I have the same isue, i dont want to encounter massive amounts of people. And are you going all alone? And sleep in a tent? Thanks you

[@antsy_does]

@@Duuk_the_Dog I was told that June and September are the way to go for the more quiet times. I would probably go alone but do not plan to do so, and NO sleeping in a tent for me personally. It's simply not allowed everywhere, and I for one go by the rules :) Also, I do enjoy the social aspect of gathering around a meal with fellow hikers in the evening.

[@wecantstayput4958]

Hank, this looks like an amazing trip! Great work on the video! (The only problem I can see is that I wasn’t invited. ☺️)

[@HankLeukart]

Yes, we had a fantastic time! Glad you liked the video. I saw that you did the Camino -- how was yours?

[@wecantstayput4958]

The best part of the Camino was the people we met; we now have lifelong friends from New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland and Australia. We’ve all met up several times in different countries, and my Kiwi friends came to Washington to hike Mount Rainier with me.

[@HankLeukart]

@@wecantstayput4958 Yeah, the kind of people that the Camino attracts and the attitude that the trip encourages makes for a trip that nearly always leads to great lasting friendships. I didn't love the Camino route every day (way, way too much road-walking) but I always liked the people! I'm so glad you had such a great trip!! What's your next trip?

[@wecantstayput4958]

Hank Leukart hoping to explore more of North Cascades National Park once the snow melts. If you’re ever in Washington, I’ll take you hiking!

[@HankLeukart]

I'll get up there one of the days!!

[@spookycat3667]

Great video , Im planning on trying this hike next summer . Could you please fix the link to your blog , it does not seem to be working . Thanks

[@antsy_does]

withoutbaggage.com/

[@HankLeukart]

Glad you liked the video! I hope you have a great trip -- if you have any questions let me know. I've been a bit behind on my blog, but I fixed the broken link. The writeup about the trip isn't too detailed by the sidebar is there that explains the logistics for the trip. Hope that helps! withoutbaggage.com/films/tour-du-mont-blanc/

[@HiPh0Plover1]

Andy is like never tired always first type of dude

[@besc6818]

Did you carry a drone the whole way? :D Loved the video. Brings back some memories from the time i hiked the alps from germany to italy. Keep up the good work :)

[@HankLeukart]

Hey! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, and I'm glad you had a great TMB too. Yes, I carried a small drone for the whole distance -- I was very careful to operate it only in places that were legal to use it (there are online maps that show which places are okay and which aren't). I also made sure to avoid using it when other hikers were around, to avoid interfering with anyone else's TMB experience. It is super frustrating when drone owners aren't careful.

[@TanukiParis]

The GR20 in Corsica is very famous also in Europe

[@HankLeukart]

i'll have to add it to the list

[@gearjunkie3412]

When did you go

[@HankLeukart]

September 2 - 16

[@agyflo286]

Please could you all tell me what you do for a job that you can afford to travel so often and for so long? This is not a criticism, it's a genuine question, since you must be doing something right, and I wanna do it too!

[@HankLeukart]

for the past 15 years or so, i worked as a tv producer, which is a freelance job for the most part. so i made money while working on tv shows, and then when the show ended, i often had weeks off before my next gig, during which time i'd travel and spend money that i just made on the previous gig. :) works pretty well!

[@agyflo286]

@@HankLeukart Thank you! It looks like it's working, yes. I'm getting ready and gathering all the equipment I will need for my first Camino, which I count to do at the end of summer. :)

[@MrTryAnotherOne]

At what time of the year did you make the trip?

[@HankLeukart]

We did this trip in the first two weeks of September.

[@JJ-mf8ru]

Great video Hank, professionally-done, like your other videos! Great bunch of friends too. I'm watching your video after I've done my own TMB, just to reminisce. It's swell that you put together a trip for your friends. Personally, I'm afraid to be responsible for other people's enjoyment on their vacation. My wife and I did the TMB last year by ourselves (our first long hike), over 9 days, although we did it clockwise, putting the more difficult sections towards the end, instead of at the start. It also meant we were meeting new people at the inns every night and going against the flow of traffic. Oh, and as much as I find refugios cool, the inns worked out better for me because I snore loud and we were able to get private rooms! I don't understand why Brittany had to skip Italy when there are no border crossings anyway. I watched your EBC video as well and I'm hoping to do that with my son next year. Subscribed!

[@HankLeukart]

Hey, JJ! Glad you liked the video. Yeah, I do feel a lot of pressure when I plan trips with my friends, and it definitely causes some anxiety, but the trips seem to always be worth it in the end. It sounds like you and your wife had a great and well-planned TMB! The explanation about Brittany avoiding Italy has to do with some ancient rules still on the books between New Zealand and Italy that existed before the Schengen Agreement. The specific are pretty boring, but she didn't want to take any chances, despite the fact that, you're right, the chance of her being stopped at a border was quite low. Good luck with the EBC -- let me know if you have questions! -Hank

[@HiPh0Plover1]

We coming with you cause you got gps and seem very nice . Me : yup

[@HiPh0Plover1]

Russian humour id pay to be part of that trip lol

[@MdRijawlKorim]

মাস্টার্স,১*ডাক্তার রেজাউল করিম মিজান গুরুপ লিমিটেড ডাক্তার,😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@Morten_Nielsen1979]

Why only 360p?

[@HankLeukart]

It's 4K, but KZbin takes a very long time to process high quality 4K video, so it's not available yet. No idea why it takes so long. The 4K version should be available within an hour I'd expect.

[@Morten_Nielsen1979]

@@HankLeukart Okay. Thanks. Then I will wait to watch it until then 👍.

[@HankLeukart]

@@Morten_Nielsen1979 Okay, 4K is available!