Global warming does have its benefits for some. Recent glacial retreat has allow acces to Punta Baretti, one of the most remote peaks in the Mont Blanc region. Simon Richardson and Duncan Tunstall have taken advantage of this by adding a major route to the Mont Blanc range in early September when they made the first ascent of the Southwest Spur of Punta Baretti.
In reply to UKC News:
Epic. This is what climbing is really about!
Ackbar22 Sep 2009
In reply to UKC News: Amazing to think that there are such good looking lines still to be done in the alps. Are there any routes going up the big face behind the ridge on this photo?
> (In reply to UKC News) Amazing to think that there are such good looking lines still to be done in the alps. Are there any routes going up the big face behind the ridge on this photo?
>
> http://www.ukclimbing.com/images/dbpage.php?id=125167
Yes, one, opened in 1940 and never repeated. There are more routes on the backside of that "big face", but again, very remote and barely repeated. It's a wild, uncompromising place - even getting to the base of the route requires a lot of stamina.
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