What Do I Need For Mont Blanc?

Mont Blanc stands at 4,808m and is the highest peak in the Alps.

We’ve put together this Mont Blanc kit list to give you an idea of what to take and why you’ll need it. It is important to cross-reference this with any information that your guide provides you as they'll know exactly what routes they are planning for you and they may be able to supply certain things. This isn't an all-encompassing list and should be adapted to your needs.

If you want any more advice or have any questions, drop into one of our stores for a chat or speak to one of the outdoor experts in customer service.

A long-sleeved insulated jacket that you can use as part of your layering system will become invaluable when the temperature really drops. It should be lightweight and be able to pack down small so it doesn’t take up too much space in your pack when you aren’t using it. Whether you opt for down or synthetic insulation is up to you but it’s worth bearing in mind that synthetic insulation retains performance even when it’s wet whereas down usually has a better warmth to weight ratio. Our insulated clothing buying guide goes into more detail if you are looking for more information.

Arguably one of the most important things to get right, your waterproof jacket should be able to keep you dry from the outside elements but also be breathable enough that any moisture vapour on the inside can get out. It’s important to make sure it is long enough to use with a harness and has a helmet-compatible hood so you can still enjoy full waterproof protection whilst wearing your helmet. You'll find more information in our buying guide if you are having difficulty choosing a waterproof jacket.

Similar to your waterproof jacket, it’s important to get your waterproof trousers right. By having a full-length zip down the side they’ll be easy to get on and off without removing boots and crampons. They’ll likely have a ventilation option too so you can dump any excess heat rapidly when you need to. Most importantly they should be able to keep you dry without restricting your movement, protecting you from the outside elements but also being breathable enough to allow moisture vapour to escape, leaving you dry and comfortable on the inside.

Keeping your hands warm is an important part of mountaineering as you need to maintain dexterity in your fingers to do any rope work as well as to hold your axe. Gloves are great for scrambling and holding your axe at the initial stages of your trek but the warmest option for summit day would be mittens as your fingers are all together and can generate heat better together. By utilising a thermal liner, you can protect yourself from exposure to the cold when you need to take your gloves or mittens off for even more dexterity when handling gear.

Depending on which route you take, a simple walking axe or alpine axe should be ideal and more suitable than a technical pair of climbing axes. Being predominantly straight shafted they are easy to plunge into the snow for stability when zig-zagging on slopes. They are also easy to manoeuvre in self-arrest mode. The pick of the axe offers security when embedded in névé or in ice axe arrest mode while the adze is great for cutting steps and digging out belay positions. Our ice axe buying guide offers more in-depth information to help you find the right one.

Again depending on which route you take, a pair of 12 point steel mountaineering crampons with a C2 rating should be sufficient. They must fit your boots appropriately and have anti-balling plates to reduce the build-up of snow underneath, between the points. A storage bag for your crampons will stop the sharp points damaging any of the other kit in your bag when they aren’t on your feet and will also absorb any excess moisture off your crampons when you eventually take them off and put them back in your pack. Our crampon buying guide will point you in the right direction if you are at all unsure.

Your rucksack should be lightweight to start off with to keep your load to a minimum, any excess weight will considerably slow you down at altitude. It’s worth making sure your pack is a good fit for you, with and without extra layers, and you should know how to adjust it accordingly to keep the majority of the weight on your waist belt with the shoulder straps mainly just keeping the pack on your back. Everything in your pack should also be in a dry bag to protect your kit from the elements, whether you choose to have one large dry pack or multiple smaller ones for organisation is up to you.

Choosing the right water bottles for your trip is key. Given the cold conditions you are likely to face, it is perhaps best to stick with plastic drinks bottles rather than metal bottles. Alternatively, you may prefer to use a reservoir with a drinking tube, though it’s important to be aware drinking tubes can freeze up easily in cold conditions, even when utilising an insulated sleeve*. A compromise could be carrying a Nalgene 1Ltr bottle as a back-up. *Top tip: If you choose to use a drinking tube, be sure to blow the water back into the reservoir after each drink to avoid the water in the tube becoming frozen and undrinkable.

You’ll likely have a couple of early, pre-dawn starts on your ascent up Mont Blanc, thus it’s important to have a good head torch that you can fix onto your helmet with a simple, low profile strap. You’ll also need it for moving about the mountain huts. Even if you put spare batteries in just before you start your trip, it’s always worth taking an extra set of spare batteries as they do have a tendency to drain quickly when exposed to cold conditions. Put your spare batteries in a small food bag and store them close to your body to ensure they keep their charge.

A basic first aid kit should include a few simple items that might help you along the way. Paracetamol and Ibuprofen can come in handy while blister plasters are a must. Even if your boots are comfortable and have never given you blisters before it’s always worth taking blister-specific plasters such as Compeed. Hiking at altitude can cause mild swelling in your feet, getting blisters, or even mild rubbing points on your feet, is a sure-fire way to put a dampener on your trip but is something that can be avoided so easily.

It goes without saying that you’ll need to take snacks to refuel your body, having some money with you will allow you to buy additional food and drink at any huts you come across. You’ll need a couple of extra bits for overnighting in the mountain huts such as a sleeping bag liner and a basic wash kit (including toilet roll) as there is often no running water at the huts. Don’t forget any personal medication that you may need to take, and a small camera will capture your favourite moments should you wish to cherish them.