Mountaineering Routes in Chamonix

Before setting out on a route you should thoroughly research the route, weather, likely conditions and be content that your experience is sufficient for the difficulty of the route. Mountaineering is a dangerous pursuit and unless you are an expert you should hire a mountain guide.

The Mer de Glace is an excellent venue for practicing your cramponing and rescue techniques. It is reached by taking the train from Chamonix to Montenvers and then descending the ladders to the glacier.

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Acclimatisation & Easy Mountaineering Routes

The following are not intended to be detailed route descriptions. They are merely to give the climber an overview of some routes, and to whet the appetite of the visiting Alpinist. Anyone intending to climb any of these routes should first of all read a detailed route description as contained in the recommended guide books.

The Petite Aiguille Verte (3512m): F+/PD- North West Ridge. A lovely little peak situated near the top station of the Grand Montets lift. The approach is across a short and straightforward glacier, but once across the bergschrund things do get steeper. The route then winds it’s way up a snowy ridge, through rocks and icy sections to the summit.

L’Index (2595m): IV South Ridge. A classic rock peak in the Aiguilles Rouge, accessed from the Index/Brevent telepherique. The approach is non glacial and the climbing is relatively easy. The top offers superb views of the Massif and the Aiguille Verte and Grandes Jorasses are particularly clear.

Mont Tondu (3196m): F+/PD- An ideal introductory snow peak at the far end of the Mont Blanc Massif. The peak can be climbed from either the Refuge Tre La Tete or the higher Refuge Conscrits. It involves a simple glacial approach, followed by a steady climb on snow to the summit.

Aiguille du Tour (3544m): F East Flank. A nice peak at the Eastern end of the Massif. This peak is usually climbed from the Albert Premier Refuge or the Trient Refuge. A glacial approach is followed by a snow slope and a rocky scramble to the top. This route can be exceptionally busy in the summer months.

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Mid-Grade Mountaineering Routes

Cosmiques Arete (3842m): AD- A highly enjoyable route and an excellent introduction to alpine mixed climbing. This route is rapidly approached from the Midi telepherique station, and finishes back in the station itself ! Hence it is ideal for a short day. The route follows a series of snowy gullies and ramps, interspersed by rocky sections. There is an abseil part way along the route, so your rope must be at least 50m long. Equipment required: Lightweight rock rack, helmet, harness, axe, ice screws, slings.

Midi-Plan Traverse (3673m): AD- This classic outing gives breath-taking views off the Massif. The route is mostly on snow, with rocky steps, and begins from the Midi Telepherique station. Many parties now reverse the route from the summit of the Aiguille Plan to the Midi, but some may prefer to descend to the Refuge Requin, thus completing a full traverse. Note that the seriousness of this route will vary massively depending on snow conditions underfoot.

Rochefort Arete/Aiguille Rochefort (4001m): AD. A superb excursion from the Torino Refuge involving a glacial approach, mixed ground, and a memorable snow ridge that twists and turns along the border between France and Italy. The Aiguille stands at the far end of the ridge, and in good conditions it does not present a difficult climb.

Aiguille du Chardonnet – Forbes Arete (3824m): AD . This is one of the best ridges of its kind in the Massif, if not in the whole of the Alps. The route is normally climbed from the Albert Premier Refuge, but it can equally be climbed from the Trient or Saleina Refuges. After a glacial approach the ridge itself is gained and more or less followed to the summit, climbing some rock obstacles on the way, and turning others.

Mont Blanc – Traverse of the three Monts (4807m): PD. A classic high altitude excursion amongst spectacular scenery. This long route begins from the Refuge Cosmiques and traverses over Mont Blanc du Tacul and Mont Maudit before reaching the highest point in Western Europe. Although most of the route is not particularly serious there are two main areas of danger to note. The slopes of Mont Blanc du Tacul are a potential avalanche zone after fresh snow, and are also prone to serac collapses. The Mont Maudit headwall is steep and has in recent years become adorned with fixed ropes. This natural choke-point regularly sees groups trying to clamber over each other – you have been warned !

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Hard Mountaineering Routes

Aiguille du Midi – Frendo Spur (3650m): D+. A fantastic route with enjoyable climbing both on rock and ice. The spur drops 1100m down the North Face of the Midi and is a compelling line. Traditionally most people climb the rock buttress on the first day and bivouac for the night before finishing up the ice slopes above early the nest morning. Although a fast team could do the route in a day, why not enjoy the experience and the palatial bivouac ledges ?

Grandes Jorasses – Traverse (4208m): D+. This serious and committing route starts at the Torino Refuge and first traverses the Rochefort Arete and Aiguille Rochefort all the way to the Canzio Bivouac Hut. The second day is a much more technical undertaking, mostly on rock, that traverses right across the Grandes Jorasses to Point Walker. From there you have a choice whether to descend the Hirondelles Ridge to the Leschaux Refuge or turn South and follow the voie normale down to the Boccalatte Refugio (far easier and safer).

Mont Maudit – Frontier Ridge (Kuffner Arete) (4465m): D. A long and sustained mixed route at high altitude. This climb is thoroughly deserving of its classic status, and travels through exceptionally impressive surroundings. Traditionally people start from the Fourche Bivouac, but this can often be very overcrowded and unpleasant. As a result it is sometimes better to start from the Torino Hut and allow an extra couple of hours. At least that way you will probably have had a decent nights sleep and not had to endure the noise of the late arrivals that always turn up.

Grand Capucin – Swiss Direct (3838m): TD. This immaculate route on fine rock makes its way up the Grand Capucin via a line of weakness on the left hand side. The climbing is never particularly difficult and some feel that it is low in the grade. From the summit the standard way of getting down is to initially rappel the line of “O Sole Mio” before rejoining the original line lower down. Be aware that the approach couloir can turn to rubble later in the season.

Aiguilles Dorees – Traverse (3519m): D-. This granite peak offers a fine traverse approximately 1300m long. The Trient Hut is the best start point but the Saleina Hut can also be used. After a glacial approach the route weaves along the ridge, up and down couloirs and around gendarmes. The climbing is never extreme, but it is a long route and many choose not to traverse the full ridge.

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Extreme Mountaineering Routes

Grandes Jorasses - Walker Spur (4208m): TD+/ED1. Perhaps one of the most famous alpine routes in the world ! This striking line up the North Face of the Jorasses goes straight to the true summit. Approached from the Leschaux hut which offers a fine view of the route the night before your ascent. Although traditionally a mixed climb this has at times in recent years been completely dry and allowed ascents in rock shoes. Despite this most teams still require a bivouac on the route.

Mont Blanc – Central Pillar of Freney (4810m). The scene of a famous race between the French team (led by Rene Desmaison) and Bonington’s team of British All Stars (Whillans, Clough and Duglosz). Needless to say the British reached the summit first but the French still claim it was a joint ascent !! Regardless of the history this is a fine piece of rock, high on the Massif, with a very long approach and requiring a high level of commitment. It has unfortunately been festooned with pitons in recent years, but is still not to be underestimated.

Les Drus – North Face Orginal Route. Few people can stand in Les Praz and not marvel at the sight of Les Drus towering above. Its sheer granite faces catch the evening light and show it at its best. The line of the route follows natural weaknesses and there are several possible bivouac areas both on the route and below it. Although once very popular, this route seems to be slightly out of vogue at the moment, with some citing stone-fall risk as the reason. So, do you feel lucky ?

Les Droites – North East Spur (aka Tournier Spur) (4000m): TD+/ED1. A classic mixed climb of the Alps, soaring over 1000m above the Argentiere basin. The choice of either the original start or the direct is usually dependant on temperature – in summer the rock of the direct start gives a superb outing, but if icy the classic start allows fairly rapid progress to the Breche.

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Chamonix Climbing Areas

Aiguilles Rouges – A good area of mid height mountains where you can enjoy everything from bolted sports climbing to rocky ridge traverses. An ideal venue if you’re not acclimatised, and the Brevent/Flegere lift system ensures you can easily complete routes here and return to the valley on the same day.

Valley Cragging – See the Chamonix cragging guidebook and the Vallee D’Arve Guidebook for all the info on valley cragging. Nearly all the valley crags are “sport crags” that are equipped with bolts so you’ll usually just need a selection of quickdraws and a rope

Massif du Mont Blanc – The alpinists playground ! Over 10,000 routes are available to climb here, at all grades, on rock, snow, ice and mixed ground. You can gain access to this area via the Aiguille du Midi cable car, Montenvers Train, Grands Montets top cable car and the Tramway du Mont Blanc.

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Grading of Routes in Alpine Climbing

Although it’s possible to compare rock climbing grades and ice climbing grades from one country to another, it’s much more difficult to compare alpine grades.

Alpine grades take a vast amount into consideration – the length of the route, remoteness, the hardest moves on rock, the hardest moves on ice, and the overall seriousness of the climb. As a result, it’s too simple to try and make a direct comparison with grades. Instead, you should always start gently and work your way through the grades until you have a thorough understanding of them, and how your abilities are suited to them.

For a better understanding of the different rock grades you will come across, have a look at the table below (extract from Alpine Club Guide).

Grade	French	English	Likely Difficulties
F	Facile	Easy	Snowy routes with little/no technical difficulties
PD	Peu Difficile	Little Difficulties	Routes likely to have some difficulties on snow or rock, but these should not be sustained
AD	Assez Difficile	Quite Difficult	Routes likely to be longer, with more sustained steep sections of snow or rock
D	Difficile	Difficult	Long routes, with very difficult passages on snow and rock
ED	Extrement Difficile	Extremely Difficult	Extreme Routes, requiring the highest levels of skill. Usually very steep, difficult access and descent. These routes almost always require a bivouac.
Notes: These often have a + or – to denote whether a route is high or low in the grade. Routes graded ED are usually numbered 1-4 with ED4 being the most extreme grade.