Given the opportunity to take a look at the Mont Blanc Massif from another angle I didn't need much persuasion. John Taylor IFMGA mountain guide who owns and runs Mont Blanc Guides and specialise in Mont Blanc ascension courses (acclimatisation treks and summits during the week with the final achievement of Mont Blanc 4810m by the end of the course). In his spare time he has achieved his light aircraft pilots licence through Megeve Aeroclub and is keen to get out to increase his flying hours.
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| Trient Glacier |
With a good forecast and a Sezner that was available for the morning we took the little plane built in the 1960's for a trip around the Mont Blanc Massif. A little worrying to start with as we climbed up in this little bean tin reaching in excess of 4000m. The flight was surprisingly stable until we crossed the Swiss boarder and headed over the Trient glacier. Bobbing and rolling we took a thermal to get out of the turbulence a rocky ride continued until we passed over the ridges towards the Vallee Blanche.
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| Grand Jorasses |
Passing the north face of the Grand Jorasses over the Gieant icefall to the Aiguille du Midi... it was a busy day descending the ridge for the off piste skiers. We exited the massif by passing Mont Blanc below the summit before heading towards the lower alps of the Aravis with Annecy beyond. After a quick coffee stop at Annecy airport we headed back over the lake to the little Altiport of Megeve.
Truly stunning to see the Mont Blanc massif in this way peering over the ridges and summits seeing ski tourers on the Winter Haute Route and the day trippers on the Vallee Blanche below.
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| Aiguille du Midi |
Many thanks to John for the experience.
More information on John's company Mont Blanc Guides and Mont Blanc ascent courses at: www.montblancguides.com
Megeve Altiport Mont Blanc pleasure flights:
www.aerocime.com
Megeve Altiport Mont Blanc pleasure flights:
www.aerocime.com
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| Mont Blanc 4810m |
