ODYSSÉE MONTAGNE

I had the most unfortunate experience with Osyssee Montagne, and, specifically the owner, Pierre Schmidt (who I also understand is a guide - Google him, apparently he's run afoul of a few climbers with his "better than everyone" attitude). I joined a tour with a couple friends several months after they had booked. They made their reservation in February of 2024 for a mid-September Mont Blanc attempt. I was able to commit to the dates by late July and sent (multiple times) all paperwork requested by Pierre. Confirmation of this would be the €2,030 charge to my credit card for this reservation. While he was not very communicative I assumed it was due to his poor command of English. As it turns out, it was due to his sloppy accounting and lazy administrative skills. On September 12th, two days before I was set to climb and six weeks after he took my money, he reached out to see if I still had any interest in climbing with my friends. I was shocked! Two days till I'm attempting the tallest peak in western Europe and I don't have a guide? He did find someone, so we were able to move forward with the trip. As for the climbing experience, due in large part to the lack of Pierre's ability to communicate, we were totally unsure of what to expect. I will admit I should have trained much harder. With that said, I can't understand why we were rushed off the train at the start of the hike, told we would just head up a few meters to get ready, and then set out on a Fastest Known Time journey to Tete Rousse without so much as a minute to tighten shoes, get poles or have water ready to go. Why? It's been said you get different experiences from different guides. If you get a good one, they will spend the day building your skills as well as helping you to complete the route. If you get a bad one you will be dragged over the route like a sack of potatoes. As the paying customers why were we marched at break neck speeds to Tete Rousse where we waited nearly four hours for dinner? I can only surmise it's under the ownership of Pierre Schmidt that guides representing his company behave this way. I will certainly attempt Mont Blanc again, and I will most definitely avoid Pierre Schmidt and Odyssee Montagne. You should, too.