Climbing the Aiguillette d'Argentiere [Photos]

As promised, here are some photos from climbing the Aiguillette d'Argentiere last weekend. Click on the photos for larger versions.

Reaching the top of the Aiguillette:


Chris belaying me on the first pitch with Les Grands Montets and Les Drus in the background:


Chris about to tackle the knife-edge ridge:


Success! Chris and I sorting out the ropes to abseil down. The Aiguille d'Argentiere is the peak in the background:


A friendly ibex wandering around the rocks as we climbed:

Climbing the Aiguillette d'Argentiere

Click on any of the photos to bring up large ones.

The Aiguillette d'Argentiere.


Chris and I climbed the Aiguillette d'Argentiere today. Very cool. Decided to do something constructive with our Sunday. It's a pretty strenuous 1 ¼ hour hike to get there - especially carrying rope, harness, water, etc. There were the most amazing views of the valley on the way up and the weather held up well so we had sun and a few fluffy clouds all day.

Chris sitting on top of the Aiguillette.


We did a warm-up climb on one of the crags behind the Aiguillette then did a couple of pitches on the Aiguillette itself.

The first pitch Chris led, and the second I led. Wasn't easy I've got to say with an overhang and required some concentration at a few different stages. Managed to get over the overhang with a swift non-technical manouvre - hands together on a small 'jug' (a type of hold on the rock) then let my legs go hanging free mid-air and haul myself purely using arms over the lip onto a slab. Not really a smooth technique thing - a big grunt of effort and then lots of power. Happy with it though, got over it first time without falling! Was very pleased with the whole climb and even more pleased to lead it. Chris' lead today was it's usual graceful move up the rock and I felt pleased for once to feel like I held my own on the technical pitches and feel that I was also moving fluidly and smoothly. We're certainly working well as a team and really compliment each other well.

Move your mouse over the photo of the Aiguillette to see our two routes up.


Looking directly across the valley on the hike up. Argentiere on the valley floor with its glacier above it. Also visible is the Grands Montets on the right.


A very graceful, sure-footed ibex wandered around our bags on the rocks before disappearing off up a crag. In the background is Le Tour/Montroc and the Domaine du Balme ski area.


Here's the flickr photo set for the day.
Here's Chris's flickr photo set for the day.

The Aiguillette d'Argentiere

Going up to climb the Aiguillette d'Argentiere tomorrow with Chris. Better make sure to take plenty of fluids. It's a 1 hour hike to get to the base then we'll spend as much time as needs be to climb to the top. I worked a fair bit this weekend so this is going to be my day off in lieu. Should be interesting and I'll take the camera and post up about it tomorrow evening.

The Aiguille d'Argentiere (3900m, 12795 feet) and Aiguille du Chardonnet (3824m, 15546 feet)