UKC

Heading out to this region near Chamonix at the end of summer. Quite keen to do some easy multipitches, been looking at local crags like 'Les Piliers de la Pointe du Midi' which has things like a 10 pitch limestone 5c, and while that looks like an incredible day out I have a feeling it could be a lot to bite off on my first visit.

Any suggestions for must do's in the area? Thanks in advance

In reply to purplemonkeyelephant:
I've done a route up there called Gypaete Airlines and while I realise it's harder than the grade you mention I'd have to say that it wasn't at all sustained and would have been easy enough to get off if necessary (though having said that I've no recollection of how we got down!) The other routes that ARE in your grade range are possibly similar ie not too sustained?

In the same area though slightly shorter and with an easier approach are the routes on the Pic de Jalouvre just the far side of the col de la Colombière. I've never done any of them but they are very popular and probably within your required grade.

A little further away are the slabs of le Sapey http://www.escalade-74.com/falaises/escalade_sapey.htm I've only done Délite de Fuite http://www.escalade-74.com/pages_photos/sapey5.htm http://www.escalade-74.com/pages_photos/sapey4.htm but I remember it as being very pleasant.

In reply to jon:

We did l'arche - a short and beautiful pitch of 6a at the top, but well bolted and could probably be aided with a point or two. Otherwise pleasant and grades 4 to 5c.

In reply to purplemonkeyelephant:
http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=10181

La Frasse is a nice crag with some easy multi pitch routes just along the road to Araches, see the Arve valley guide or the Escalade 74 site.

Or there's the 14 pitch La Morzinoise in the Terres Maudites, see http://www.chablais-grimpe.com/aulps/aulps_voiesmaudit.php?f=0

As Mike suggested above the slabs at Tuet or Latay near Samoens , or Anthon near Taninges should fit the bill. these are all in the Giffre,Risse Foron guide

In reply to purplemonkeyelephant:

In the same area (Pointe de Midi) as Gypaete which has some good but hard climbing at the top but is a bit of a mess lower down, try Allez Mme Mummery and Ça manque un mètre both of which are mostly upper 5 with a touch of 6a. The former is a particularly good route

In reply to jcw:


I agree entirely, John. 'Mess' is maybe a better description than saying 'not at all sustained'!