In preparation for my daughter's upcoming thru-hike (she'll be coming 'round the mountain in July), I wanted to post up some information that I have gathered. The trail passes through France, Italy and Switzerland with snow-covered Mont Blanc (white mountain) an ever-present fixture. Unlike the AT, the Tour Du Mont Blanc (TMB) is a circle hike. You can start at any access point and hike either clockwise or counter-clockwise. The popular option is to start in Chamonix France hiking CCW - probably due to the plethora of mountaineering gear shops in Chamonix and multiple lodging options over the first couple of days while one develops their trail legs.

Following the official route, the total length is 174 km (118.1 miles) with a total elevation gain / loss of 9700 m (31,824'). Most thru-hikes are scheduled for 7 - 12 days. Hiking season is late June through October.

The most difficult part of this hike isn't the distance or the climbs. It's securing lodging at the rifugios along…

As a practical matter, I don't know what changes, if any, will happen if the BMT become a National Scenic Trail but 2 senators and 2 represenatives have proposed legislation to start the ball rolling with a feasibility study.

capitol-beat.org/2024/05/georg…P4M46Md961bJ0b8yqBeIgn46A

Mountain Crossings made this post recently in FB:

"TOPO trail runners are easily becoming our most popular shoe. We filled in more colors for the TOPO Ultraventure 3 for men’s and women’s trail runners. Come grab some new shoes today!"

Never heard of em, so I took a quick look. They have a vibram sole which I am partial to for a variety of reasons. REI also carries them.

My guess is that Hoka Speedgoats are still one of the most popular trail runners. They also have a vibram sole, but a knock against them is that they (the shoe not the sole) seem to wear out sooner than others.

Doing primarily shorter hikes in Georgia I use trail runners that I get at the outlook mall. I would check these out when that changes.

Anecdotal observation -- A see a lot of walkers at the soccer field track and at the gym track weating Hokas. These people do not look like hikers. I wonder if these shoes are a fad?

Pic:

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