Cols
Lots of days on the TMB feature passes, called “cols”. The typical day on this route starts low, begins with a climb up to a col, and then descends to the next night’s accommodations. Though the TMB is not as col-centric as the Via Alpina (which Alpine Exploratory used to call the Alpine Pass Route), the cols are a remarkable feature. When you crest a pass, a new vista suddenly appears, stretching for miles into the future. You can turn around and see the entire route you’ve just walked, like gazing into the past. Some people get addicted to crossing passes for this reason.
Some cols are knife-edged ridges with super-steep approaches on either side, typically paved in tons of scree (I’m looking at you, Sefinafurgga. The cols on the Tour du Mont Blanc are not like that. With the exception of the Fenêtre d’Arpette, which can easily be skipped, TMB cols are broad and fairly flat. They provide approaches that are challenging but not scary, lots of space to hang out on top, and great views in all directions.