Are you planning to climb Mont Blanc and wondering what you should wear? (Part 1)
Mont Blanc is at 4806m, or almost 5000m, so you’ll need warm, appropriate clothing that’s not too heavy.
✅ One pair of crampon boots that are warm enough and, if possible, not too heavy
✅ One pair of socks that are warm but not too thick, that you’ve tested beforehand and that won’t give you blisters
For the body, we prefer the system of different layers.
✅ A long-sleeved merino or synthetic (avoid cotton) first layer
✅ Some Merino or synthetic tights
✅ fleece, with or without a hood (a hood will provide extra warmth in windy conditions)
✅ Down jacket
✅ Down vest (optional)
✅ Shell jacket for protection in rain or snow and against the wind
✅ Shell or softshell pants, depending on the temperature and weather forecast
✅ One pair of warm gloves
✅ One pair of thinner gloves
✅ One pair of warm, compact mittens as a back-up (optional)
✅ One pair of glasses with category 4 lenses
✅ One category 4 mask (optional, depending on the weather)
✅ Cap
✅ Buff
✅ Hat that goes under the helmet
Don’t take anything superfluous or too heavy. The lighter you are, the more fun you’ll have!

You’re planning to climb Mont Blanc and you’re wondering what non-technical equipment you need in addition to clothing for the ascent? (Part 2).
✅ When it comes to your hydration system, a lightweight thermos flask and/or water bottle is preferable to a camelback. A camelback’s tube will freeze above 4000m in the cold and wind and you won’t be able to keep hydrated.
✅ Snacks. There are plenty of nice snacks to take with you, as well as a small savoury snack. You’ll need to last between 7 and 10 hours on foot
✅ A small tube of sun cream and sun protection lip stick
✅ A first-aid kit with a small toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste and a sample of cream. Don’t take your complete toiletries kit with a towel, as there isn’t always water in the refuge
✅ One Lightweight change of dry underwear for the upper body when you get sweaty to the hut
✅ A spare pair of dry socks for the hut
✅ A small extra-light fabric bag (avoid the plastic bag, which makes a lot of noise and wakes everyone up when you touch it) to fit all the small items you won’t need for the ascent day
✅ Headlamp (fully charged)
✅ Liner bag for the hut
✅ One back pack of at least 30 liters, light when empty, functional and equipped for the high mountains, with ice axe holders
Remember to pack light - you’ll get a lot more out of your ascent of Mont Blanc

You’re wondering what technical gear to take for climbing Mont Blanc?
✅ Crampons-compatible boots that are warm enough for the temperatures up there. Sometimes it can be quite warm to climb Mon Blanc and some other times It can be very cold. So, choose your boots accordingly. Don’t hesitate to rent a pair suitable for the temperatures you’ll face at 4,800 meters. Remember to get boots slightly larger than your usual size. Your feet shouldn’t be compressed, or blood won’t circulate properly.
✅ Crampons. For Mont Blanc, we’ll use classic mountaineering crampons such as Vasak model. They have a semi-automatic attachment system that’s efficient, practical, and quick to put on.
✅ Light weight pouch to pack your crampons. It’ll protect everything else in your bag from the crampon points.
✅ Harness. Choose a lightweight, simple harness that you can put on with crampons, like this one with opening leg loop buckles.
✅ Personal Anchor
✅ Screw carabiner, preferably directional
✅ Ice screw with a small, lightweight carabiner. No need for another screw carabiner;
✅ Small carabiner to hang gloves or an ice axe when you need both hands free.
✅ A classic, mountaineering ice axe. Choose one that’s long enough for your height, with a good pick at the bottom. A short ice axe won’t provide proper support.
✅ Helmet : to protect your head from possible falling rocks and/or from a crevasse fall.
✅ Lightweight, foldable poles that fit in your bag without sticking out.
✅ 30-liter backpack with ice axe holders, comfortable back, simple and light
Really consider the weight. Find light, safe gear that suits your needs. With the right gear, you’ll be safer and enjoy your Mont Blanc climb more.

How do you pack a backpack for mountaineering?
The principle is always the same: put the heaviest items at the bottom of the bag and against your back.
For example, I’m heading to Refuge Tête Rousse before climbing Mont Blanc. I’ll put my crampons in a pocket to protect my gear and place them at the bottom.
I also consider what I’ll need first and what I won’t. To hike up to a mountain hut, you rarely need very warm gloves. So we’ll put warm gloves at the back, against our spine, to avoid sharp objects there.
Then we’ll fill in the small spaces.
I do the same with my down jackets, placing them against my back for comfort.
I always put my thermos on the left side of my backpack. That way, I know exactly where to find it every time. I’ll do the same with my water bottle, placing it on the opposite side.
Other items we won’t use right away: spare clothes, headlamp, first-aid kit… All these can go near the bottom of your backpack since you won’t need them immediately.
Small items and snacks go in a pocket for easy access.
The sleeping bag liner also goes in front; we won’t use it soon.
Lastly, I’ll put technical gear on top with light gloves in case it’s cold.
To attach the ice axe, thread the elastic anchor through its head and secure it. There’s another elastic here; pull it and adjust the ice axe as needed.
You can either put your helmet on top of the backpack - it’s neat and tidy when you close the bag. Some prefer to attach the helmet on the outside. The key is to secure the helmet so it doesn’t bounce around. Fasten it properly to prevent swinging with each step.
Now you’re all set and organized.
With a compact pack and heavy items low against your back, you’re ready for hours of hiking.