In reply to adam 24:
Where does it say the aided the hard pitches? It makes reference to the original aid grades of the hard pitches, but I can't see it saying they actually aided them.
Yeah, weird about the portaledge - presumably the ski descent to Chamonix allowed them to slog back up with one!
Either way, insane effort - I was on the Ciseaux last week and was intrigued to see ropes and rack hanging halfway up the Fou S face. Mystery solved!