TMB self-guided

[Ming]

Has anyone done the TMB self-guided and independently? I mean without involve any travel agent. I'm planning to do it, so all information is welcome.

[Mark F]

If you mean the Tour de Mont Blanc then there is no need for a tour guide or travel agent. You should find more than sufficient info on the web to do this unaided. The main thing you may need to do a day or two before you start is book the refuges you plan to use. Maps, food, bookings etc can be done in Chamonix if that is where you plan to start. I have not done the full TMB but a 3 day section of it that coincides with the much longer GR5.

[Suz]

I second what Mark said. I haven't done the TMB but have done the part that coincides with the Haute Route. BTW, DO take the Fenetre d'arpette (I think that's what it's called) don't take the other, less scenic route.

Anyhow, going independently will be easy and there will be others on the trail (assuming you're going in high season - you will see people every day on trail and in the huts). There are bound to be written guides on this book so just buy the best one, (Hallu can probably direct you on that).

[Ming]

Thanks Mark and Suz. the two of you have increased my confidence. I have purchased the guide book. I will be doing it in September, don't think that is high season but I am not that concerned if I meet many people on the track or not, having done some multi-day trekkings on my own in Australia and new Zealand. My main concern is on the language side. According to the guide book, French is the language used along the track, many huts/refugees along the way require phone call to book bed in advance, I am afraid that I can't make myself understood and understand what is said to me over the phone. Can I get by with English and a few french vocabularies?

[Suz]

Yes you'll be fine without the language but attempt to learn a few pleasantries. Remember that part of the TMB runs thru Italy too. Expect many of the hut matrons to be grumpy - it is just the way they are.

[Ming]

Thanks for the advice Suz. I will try my best to learn some survive French and Italian

[Watertank]

I did the TMB last year. I used Macs Adventures to make the bookings purely to save on booking time but I'm sure I could have made the bookings myself. I like to be certain I have the night's accommodation booked in advance. It is a great hike. In contrast to the previous comments about Italian huts, I found them extraordinarily welcoming. It is a great walk, don't rush it, don't carry to much and enjoy the food!

[Suz]

Sorry I didn't mean the Italians were grumpy - that reads poorly what I wrote. It was the Swiss-French.