I was recently fortunate to take the G Adventures trip, Trekking Mont Blanc and it was, needless to say, incredible. I’ve taken other active journeys before so I knew a bit of what I was getting myself into. While I was trekking though, I was reminded of a few tips for anyone making a trek, to make any mountain journey more manageable and more fun. Here are five of them.
1. Get the right gear
The most important thing to know for any trek is that your gear can make or break your trip. It needs to be reliable and ready to handle the rugged nature of the trek you're undertaking. It also needs to be able to hold up under extreme weather conditions. The essentials for any trip include sturdy waterproof boots that are in good repair, a raincoat that actually repels water, quick dry woolies, and hiking poles.
It’s times like these when you need to have the right gear. Here I am crossing the border from France to Italy, experiencing the wind and hail!
2. Embrace the challenge (and the pain!)
A journey may not seem terribly challenging before you do it, (Trekking Mont Blanc seemed relatively easier before I got there) but don't ever underestimate the physicality of any trek. Be up for the challenge. It will be taxing on your body - especially your knees - so be prepared for it! At some points, the thought of quitting will seem attractive, but when it's all over, you'll feel more accomplished knowing you pushed through the pain.
The ascents are hard, and the descents are harder. Here we are in Switzerland on a rare flat section.
3. Get a universal adapter
Even on shorter treks (this one was only eight days), you will very likely visit countries that have different electrical outlets than the place from which you come. If you’re an avid photographer, e-reader or just plain need to charge a lot of stuff, I recommend getting a universal adapter so you don't miss a beat. Don’t pass up the opportunity to take as many photographs as you want, simply because your battery died.
The town of Chamonix is a French gem and the best place to pick up any last-minute supplies (and gear!).
4. Stay comfortable
While you will spend most of any trek in your trekking gear, be sure to bring some extra clothes for when you are relaxing in the mountain refuges. Flip-flops or slippers are easy to pack and are a welcome change from your boots, and you'll notice that a dry t-shirt and fleece jacket never felt so good!
Arriving at Regufio Bonatti in Italy. Not a bad place to enjoy a drink and spend the night!
5. Go slow
This one's important! Going too fast will be too taxing on your body AND the scenery deserves the utmost attention, so take your time and enjoy the moment. Soak in the breathtaking scenery and remember that all challenges are to be met with a well-earned reward.
Packing a picnic is a great way to go slow and enjoy the mountain scenery.
A trip to any part of the world takes planning and any type of athletically inclined journey will always require serious thought ahead of time. Thinking through it though will help ensure you have the greatest experience possible, rather than being preoccupied with the things you don't need to be.
Getting There
There are so many amazing mountain treks to be had throughout the world and one of the greatest is the Trekking Mont Blanc trip. Imagine a trip where you start in France and trek your way through parts of Italy and Switzerland. This is the best of a lot of worlds and we are stoked to help you get there.
