Vallot refuge and bivouac hut (4362m)

Open all year this very basic, unguarded hut sleeps up to 12 people (although in busy periods there tend to be a few overspilling onto the benches and floor areas).

At an altitude of 4,362 metres, this is one of the last places you can stop on the way to tackle the summit of Mont Blanc and the surrounding peaks. 

More of a small bivvy hut than an actual refuge, the facilities are basic and it's meant for emergency use rather than a planned overnight stop. It's mainly for climbers in trouble or taking on longer routes in the area.

Although in a fantastic remote spot, here are a few things to think about if you end up near this hut:

• it is officially not allowed to plan to bivvy there, the hut is reserved for climbers in a case of emergency (think about it!)
• the hut is totally remote, if the weather is changing, you're caught in a bad place
• located at an altitude of 4,362m - if you're not well acclimatised you'll have problems the next day
• the hut is sometimes unfortuantely left very dirty

You're asked to pay a small fee per night if you do use the hut to go toward upkeep and maintenance of this emergency site.