I will be in France in late november. Is it possible to ascend Mont Blanc in that period? So far I have made Long's peak colorado (4500 m), Toubkhal morocco(4500 m), Orizaba Mexique (5600 m), Cotopaxi and Chimborazo ecuador(5800 et 6300 m) as well as Kilimandjaro and mount kenya.I am well equipped for winter climbing and have a good windproof tent but limited knowledge about crevasse rescue and I will be with a not so experienced partner. If this is not safe is ther an other mountain in the alps that would be as fun and safer (monte rosa for example). Thank you for your time.

Jean Beaubien Quebec Canada

-- Jean Beaubien (Jean_beaubien@hotmail.com), October 20, 2001

Answers

It is possible, but it is one of the least popular times to do so, because of (a) cold, new snowfall, unstable weather (b) short days (c) weak snow bridges (d) seasonal closures. Because of (c) it would be pretty hazardous to try the Grands Mulets route. (d) means that the Aiguille du Midi telepherique will be closed, which will make the Three Mont Blanc route a much longer expedition. The best bet is probably the Gouter route, although the train from St Gervais might also be closed. Huts have open rooms for winter, which make it unnecessary to carry your tent. My guess is that conditions on other high summits of the Alps would be similar.

-- Q.-Tuan Luong (luong@ai.sri.com), October 22, 2001.