Refuge des Grands Mulets

The Refuge des Grands Mulets is located in the Bossons glacier on the northern flank of Mont Blanc in the municipality of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc at around 3051 m. The hut of the Chamonix section of the Club Alpin Français/FFCAM stands on an isolated rock spur on the historic ascent route from Balmat and Paccard and is now an important base for ski and high-altitude tours on Mont Blanc. It is usually open from the end of March to the end of July, while a simple winter room with limited space remains open for the rest of the year. In spring in particular, many ski mountaineers use the hut as a stage for the Mont Blanc on skis, and in early summer it serves alpinists as an alternative to the overcrowded Goûter route. From Chamonix, the usual starting point can be reached via the cable car up the Aiguille du Midi to the Plan de l'Aiguille middle station; from there, a high alpine, glaciated approach of around 750 meters in altitude and around three to four hours' walking time leads over moraines, below the old Gare des Glaciers and through the glacier terrain on the Bossons Glacier up to the rocky head of the hut. Alternatively, there are more challenging approaches from the Tunnel du Mont-Blanc or from the hamlet of Les Bossons via the Chalet des Pyramides and the Gîte à Balmat. The Refuge is mainly used for multi-day undertakings, ski crossings and summit ascents and is less of a destination for leisurely family hikes. Before each tour, you should carefully check the latest information on the state of the glacier, crevasse conditions, the risk of falling rocks in the Jonction area, any closures and the weather forecast; for less experienced hikers, it is advisable to be accompanied by a mountain guide. The first simple shelter at this location was built in 1853, followed by a new building in 1896/97; the current building dates from 1960 and was inaugurated by Maurice Herzog on August 7.