The Road to Mont Blanc

My Road to Mont Blanc

A 3-Year Adventure to the Summit

Why I'm Doing?

This:
Mont Blanc. For some, it’s just a mountain, but for me, it’s the one thing I need to check off before I hit 50. Yeah, I know I’ve spent plenty of years in the haze of clubbing, hangovers, and Ibiza vibes (who hasn’t, right?). But as the big 5-0 is creeping up faster than I’d like to admit, I’m finally realizing that the dreams I set when I was younger—like summiting Mont Blanc—need to become a reality. And, honestly, it’s now or never.

Over the next three years, I’m going all in—training, building strength, gaining experience, and pushing myself beyond the limits I’ve let slide in my youth. Mont Blanc is the minimum, the bare minimum, I want to achieve before that milestone birthday hits. I’ve got a lot of ground to cover, but I'm excited to share the ups and downs of this journey with you. The goal? To show that even though time’s ticking, it’s never too late to chase those wild dreams—especially if you’ve got the right attitude (and a bit of cheeky fun along the way).

So, I’m inviting you to join me. Whether you’re looking to tick off your own bucket list or just up for a good laugh while we all climb this mountain together, let’s do it. After all, what’s life without a bit of adventure and a whole lot of music (maybe not the Ibiza kind this time!)?

Year 1 – Building Foundation

The first year is all about getting the basics down. Mont Blanc isn’t going to climb itself, so I need to whip myself into shape. They say you’ve got to be able to hike 20-30km with 1,000m of ascent while carrying a pack that weighs as much as a small child (20-25kg)—and then wake up the next day ready to do it all over again. No pressure, right?

This year, I’ll focus on regular hikes, climbing gym sessions to build strength, and slowly upping my pack weight and mileage. I’m already good for the distance and elevation gain, but throwing in a 20kg pack and making it a multi-day effort? That’s where the real work begins. Wild camping’s also on the menu—thanks for that, Jennifer—because lugging my “bedroom” up a mountain is what’ll give that pack its weight.

• Physical Fitness: Weekly hikes of 10-15km with 600-800m of ascent, starting with a 10-15kg pack and building up to 20kg by the end of the year.

• Experience in Alpine Environments: Trips to Mulhacén in the Sierra Nevada and Monte Perdido will give me more time in the mountains, helping me get familiar with alpine terrain and conditions.

• Wild Camping: This year is also about stepping into the wild—or more like sleeping in it. I’ll figure out what gear I need and the small comforts that make it manageable, prepping me for longer trips in the years ahead.

Year 2 – Intermediate Challenges

With the groundwork laid, Year 2 is about stepping things up a notch. Heavier packs, tougher routes, and new skills are all on the agenda. This year’s highlight will be a winter skills training trip to the Atlas Mountains, where I’ll learn how to handle cold-weather mountaineering. Picture crampons, ice axes, and navigating icy terrain, with a solid dose of avalanche awareness thrown in.

• Physical Fitness: Hikes of 15-20km with 800-1,200m of ascent, carrying a 15-18kg pack. It’s all about building endurance and strength for those longer, tougher days.

• Skills Development: Winter mountaineering skills like using crampons and an ice axe, moving efficiently over icy terrain, and understanding avalanche safety—all honed in the Atlas Mountains.

• Experience Trips: Bigger mountains are on the docket to boost confidence and capability. Pic du Canigou, Aneto in the Pyrenees, and a summer trip to the Mont Blanc region will help me fine-tune my skills and mindset for the big challenge ahead.

Year 3 – The Final Push

By Year 3, it’s crunch time. This is when everything comes together—stamina, skills, and the mental grit to tackle Mont Blanc head-on. The focus will be on multi-day climbs with heavy packs, advanced techniques like ropework and glacier travel, and high-altitude training to prep for the main event.

• Physical Fitness: Multi-day climbs and hikes of 20-25km with 1,200m of ascent, carrying a 20kg pack. The goal is to make this feel as natural as carrying a school backpack (well, almost).

• Skills Development: Advanced ropework, glacier travel, and self-arrest techniques to handle any challenges Mont Blanc throws my way.

• Experience Trips: High-altitude peaks like Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa, or Pico Almanzor will serve as the ultimate prep for altitude and technical challenges.

Final Stage – Mont Blanc Summit Attempt

In September of Year 3, the moment of truth will arrive. Whether we tackle it solo or with a guide, this will be one of the most incredible challenges we’ve ever faced. After three years of preparation, we’ll have the physical strength, technical skills, and mental grit to give it everything we’ve got. Mont Blanc, here we come.

Join me on the Road to Mont Blanc

Fancy a bit of a challenge? The road to Mont Blanc isn’t all tea and biscuits—it’s tough, it’s long, but it’s also packed with chances for a good laugh, some solid graft, and plenty of epic moments along the way. Whether you’re up for the full slog or just fancy dipping in for a part of it, you’re welcome to join me.

Here’s the catch: it’s not for the faint-hearted. This isn’t a casual Sunday stroll, so if you’ve been with me for the whole journey or you’ve got the skills, experience, and stamina to keep

up, then it’s game on. The plan? Training hikes, skill weekends, and some proper climbing—each one designed to get us in shape and ready for the big one.

So, what do you reckon? Join me for the whole shebang or tag along for the bits you’re up for. Either way, it’s about pushing ourselves, having a laugh, and giving Mont Blanc a proper go. Together, we’ll make it to the top—or at least come back with some cracking stories to tell.