Our final trip with Jerry and Mike involved an attempt on the classic Mt Blanc traverse via the Conscrits Hut, Dome du Miage, Durier Refuge and Aiguille de Bionnassay.

The approach to the Conscrits Hut is not short, so allow plenty of time (4-5 hours). Fortunately the trip is easily broken with lunch at the Trelatete Restaurant, after emerging from the shade of the lower forest.

The nature of the approach changes considerably for the second section, including old rubble on the glacier and a final long section of ladders. Currently it is also possible to continue up the dry glacier to a rocky path leading to the very modern and friendly hut.

Refuge Conscrits



Bouquetin browsing on lichen and scrub grasses outside of the hut. co-existing in harmony with the transient alpinist.

The traverse of Dome du Miage is not too high and only just pips 3600 metres in a few places.

A mixture of long, flowing, snowy ridges, cut by some simple rock sections.





The view from the last peak on the traverse, towards the tiny Durier Refuge, which sits on the snowy col at bottom left of this picture. The peak on the left is the Aiguile de Bionnassay and the route follows the obvious ridge of snow and rock from the col.