So you are thinking of signing up for a summer adventure,
now is the time you make sure you fit and ready in order to get maximum
enjoyment out of your trek. The Tour du Mont Blanc, Walkers Haute route,
Traverse of the Gran Paradiso are all great challenges and preparation is the
key to achieving your goal.
All of the treks we offer are physically demanding you will
be travelling over rugged and mountainous terrain with a sustained amount of
ascent and descent on a daily basis. Make sure you are aware of the daily
distances travelled and the height gain & descent so you know what to
expect.
Trek grading: We grade our treks from 1 to 5 (1 being relatively
easy & 5 being extremely hard), each trek receives a grade depending on the
difficulty of terrain and numbers of days of sustained trekking.
To explain in more detail:
GRADE 1 EASY: Chamonix
valley walks: Easy: General walking fitness on flat & easy terrain, no
previous walking experience required. All the trails will be flat with no
elevation or descent, walking distances can vary between 6- 14 kilometres
depending on the route.
GRADE 2 DEMANDING: Chamonix
treks: A
reasonable level of fitness is required, at home you do regular exercise each
week. During the walks you will experience a degree of height gain &
descent during the walk in addition to a distance of between 12-18 kilometres
each day. Hill walking experience is advisable so you have knowledge of what it
takes to walk in the mountains.
GRADE 3 STRENUOUS: Tour du Mont Blanc, Tour of the
Vanoise: These
treks are strenuous & a good level of fitness needed before you arrive. The
height gain & descent are in the region of + or – 1200 metres per day or a
period of 8- 11 days without a break. The terrain is difficult at times with
steep & rocky ascents & descents.
GRADE 4 TOUGH: Walkers Haute Route: This is a very physically
demanding trek which requires an excellent level of fitness and stamina for
long mountain days. You need to have plenty of mountain walking experience
& exercise on a regular basis. Each day the trek has continued and
substantial height gain and decent of over + or -1500 mts per day for a
period of 11 days without a break. The terrain is difficult at times with steep
& rocky ascents & descents.
GRADE 5
EXTREME: Traverse of the Grand Paradiso:
This is the most physically demanding trek we offer &
a supreme level of fitness is required for the type of terrain you will
encounter on this trek & previous mountain trekking experience is essential.
Each day
the trek has continued and substantial height gain and decent of over + or
-1500 mts per day for a period of 9 days without a break. You will trek to an
altitude of over 3000 metres & the terrain is remote, exposed & difficult
at times with steep & rocky ascents & descents.
Guide to training
Level of fitness, which best describes you?
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Training required
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You exercise on a daily basis. You regularly walk in
the mountains in your home country. You take a trekking holiday every year.
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If this is you then you will have absolutely no problem,
keep up the good work & enjoy!
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You exercise a few times a week. You regularly walk
sometimes in the mountains. You have taken trekking holidays in recent years
and coped well.
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The same applies if this is you then you will have
absolutely no problem, keep up the good work & enjoy! Possibly do some
more walking in the mountains & carrying a rucksack to get used to the
extra weight.
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You do some exercise but not on a regular basis, you
do some walking and have walked in the mountains before. You have taken a
trekking holiday before but not for many years.
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You do some exercise so that’s a good start, from
now until the trek start date make sure you get out at least a couple of
times a week. To build up endurance skills get out walking building up to 15-
20k in distance. You need to make sure there is height gain & descent to
build up leg strength. By the time the trek date arrives you need to be
comfortable walking 15-20k per day with 1000m of height gain and descent. You
also need to carry a rucksack to get used to the extra weight.
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You don’t take regular exercise and haven’t walked
in the mountains for a number of years. You have never taken a trekking
holiday before.
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All is not lost although there is no time to lose in
terms of starting your training, maybe enlist the help of a personal trainer
and let them work out a program for you. Start easy, get out walking on flat
easy routes, and build up the distance over a number of weeks. Once the
distance has increased and you feel fitter start to introduce some hill
walking. By the time the trek date arrives you need to be comfortable walking
15-20k per day with 1000m of height gain and descent. You also need to carry
a rucksack to get used to the extra weight.
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Fitness for Participation
It is
essential if you undertake one of these treks that you understand, realise and
accept the potential risks and hazards that can be over and above those
associated with normal ‘package’ holidays. All clients are expected to satisfy
themselves prior to booking and departure that they are mentally and physically
capable of participating in the itinerary as described in the brochure, the
full itinerary and all activities it demands. Each trek is given a trek grading
please refer to this information to establish whether you can undertake the
trek. Any illness or disability of you must be declared and the information
given to us before the start date. Mont Blanc Treks Limited and anyone else
working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any accident or
mishap that may occur in connection with any part of, or services connected
with the tour. You are responsible for your own wellbeing & by agreeing to
our terms and conditions you agree not to take any legal proceedings against
Mont Blanc Treks Limited or its employees.
Nutrition &
hydration
One of the
most important things in addition to fitness is your nutrition & hydration
during the trek. Poor nutrition & hydration can severely affect your
physical performance & it is important to get your nutrition &
hydration right. Each day you will be burning lots of calories & loosing
essential fluid so it is imperative you carry the right kinds of food &
enough water with you to avoid dehydration & malnutrition. It is advisable
to drink plenty of water before you sent off on each day so you are fully
hydrated. A pack lunch can be bought from local supermarkets when staying in
villages or from the accommodation if ordered the night of arrival. If you are
not familiar with the kinds of food & drink that would be good when
exerting yourself daily do some research beforehand and trial what works best
for you.
For more information contact Sara at: info@montblanctreks.com or visit out website www.montblanctreks.com
