Images: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®
La Petite Trotte à Léon – 300 km and 26 000 m of ascent in 142 hrs max- is the first race during a mad week.
The start is less than a month away! It is one of the races during the Ultra-Trail du Mont- Blanc® week, but it is an event apart…. Each year around Mont-Blanc a new route, passing by 3 international boundaries, is concocted.
On the menu : wild footpaths which are infrequently used, and challenges which go even higher and which are even longer. A true adventure which this year gives homage to Jean-Claude Marmier who was race director for 6 and who passed away last July.
The PTL® is a very difficult ultra-endurance event. It takes place in the mid and high mountain, away from well-worn paths, which are even sometimes non-existent. This is not a race but an event without ranking where, in complete autonomy, teams of 2 or 3 participants are inseperable.
If it requires the undeniable qualities of a trail-runner, this specificity promotes human values through which long-lasting friendships are forged, through the exploration of one’s limits within the team spirit. It is not just a personal challenge but the solidarity of a whole team. To attempt the adventure, it is necessary to have experience of endurance sports, a good knowledge of the mountains and topography, a sense of solidarity and a team spirit. The route is not way-marked, simply mapped! (GPS tracks and maps are supplied).
An exceptional route in a few remarkable points:
- Spectacular start via the 70 bends of the Vertical Kilometre under the Brévent.
- Col de la Cicle (km 41.50): superb pass with the view on one side of the Mont-Blanc massif and on the other the pre-Alps of the Beaufort country.
- Close to the Pierra Menta, magnificent view from the refuge Presset.
- From the refuge Archeboc (km 118) to the refuge Deffeyes (km 133): the wild valley of Bellacomba with a multitude of lakes dominated by the immense Ruitor glacier.
- From the Tête de Licony (km 160) an extraordinary view of the south face of the Mont-Blanc massif, and the Grandes Jorasses.
- Catogne (km 221): 360° over the Valaisian Alps with the imposing presence of Grand Combin, Mont Vélan and the Dent Blanche in the distance.
- The Luisin (km 253): view of the Dents du Midi and the Chablais region, the Dents de Morcles and the Swiss Alps
- Mont Buet (km 277): high point along the route with a panoramic view of the Mont-Blanc massif and the Aiguilles rouges.
More information
In complete autonomy, 3 life bases, event limited to 100 teams of 2 or 3 runners.
The list of obligatory equipment is considerable due to the adventure….
