After all the snow slogging we were up for some fun easy rock climbs:
On 15 Sep we climbed the classic Arete des Cosmiques (230m elev, AD, 2.5hrs), now connecting the new Cosmiques Hut to the Aiguille du Midi cable car. We simulclimbed most of the route as it is mostly not more than a scamble. Only about 20% of it we belayed, including the short crux that goes at Aus gr.14....interesting enough in boots and at 3700m elevation. There was very little snow and ice and we only donned our crampons for a 30m section at the 3rd tower. The best part of the route is the last 50m, very exposed climbing on the north side of the ridge. The route conveniently tops out at a tourist viewing platform!
On 16Sep we caught the cable car to Le Brevent, a 2500m ridge on the opposite side of the Chamonix valley. A 15min walk (short!) brought us to the start of the Voie Frison-Roche (220m, 5 pitches, 6a, 2.5hrs), a tame but enjoyable bolted climb. The last 3 pitches were excellent, on solid rock, with the gr.18 crux on P4 quite taxing. Last pitch was a superb 55m long corner crack at gr.17 and boy did it go on forever..... We arrived at the top quite puffed from trying to bolt up at this altitude. There are many other climbs in this area but we have had enough and it was back to Cham and raclette for dinner. C'est fini.
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