I learned these:

These mountains will steal your heart. You will come out a different person, either having proven something to yourself, breached your horizons and soaked up the aesthetics of mountain life while pushing the bounds of your physical ability. It’s a love that is heart rending to leave.

• I suggest you do:
• Geodesic tent, can be easier to erect on stoney clearings;
• Take a few breakfasts, the ones I bought at the refuges were tiny
• Look carefully at what you really need, thus:
• Trekking poles,
• Loo paper, none of the refuges had any,
• A solar charger for your mobile phone, they are lighter than a big power-bank.
• A good translation app if your French is a poor as mine, eg: Google translate,
• If you have any kind of problem with your knees, then don’t go. Go next year when you’re stronger.
• Once you’ve packed, empty out your pack and leave out half (you don’t need it).
• Some early mornings will be cold, I used thermals one night in August.
• Make any minor repairs before you go, they will get worse while you’re out or even fail altogether.

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I suggest you dont:

• Pack over 12kg, including tent +sleeping bag,
• Don’t take a stove/ gas, cooking facilities are included at refuges;
• You can book tents/sleeping mats and then leave yours behind,
• Don’t take evening meals, except maybe one as a spare.
• You won’t need a water filter,
• Do these
• Remove anything not allowed on the plane, lighters, gas and the like,