UKC

350m.

Rockfax Description
III, 350m, 3 - 5 hours. A real classic, and a popular 'first alpine North Face'.
1) Cross the bergschrund (sometimes the crux of the route!) on the right-hand side of the face.
2) Climb the lower snow slope (45 degrees) to reach the foot of the steep gully that splits the face and more usually forms the crux of the route.
3)  In good conditions the gully will present minimal difficulty and is enjoyable Scottish grade III ice. It can, however, be calf-burning black ice, albeit not too technically difficult. There are intermediate belays on the banks of the gully.
4) Exit the gully by a step right onto the main face and a peg belay. The upper face is straightforward (50 - 55 degrees) but can be difficult to protect in snowy conditions, and it is necessary to maintain concentration despite inevitable fatigue.
5) At the top of the face, follow the excellent airy ridge to a short downclimb and then a mixed traverse around to Southeast Ridge. Follow this to the summit.
Descent - Down the Southeast Ridge. © Rockfax

UKC Logbook Description
The North Face is about 400 m high (10 to 12 pitches) with ice continuously up to 60° with an average of 52°.
In the middle the face narrows to an icy couloir and then opens again for the upper slopes. It is here that it steepens up to 60°.
It is best to stay at the right side close to the rocks to get good belay's.
The summit is normally reached by going left of the rocks and joining the normal route over the south-east ridge

Ticklists

Rebuffat's 100 Finest Routes in the Mont Blanc Massif , Batoux's 100 finest routes in the Mont Blanc massif , ROCKFAX Chamonix: Top 50 , Big Routes , Alpine Dreamz , Alpine Progression , BMC - Easier Classics in the Mont Blanc Range

Feedback

User Date Notes
tbiglari 12 Jun, 2023 Show βeta
βeta: Route in poor condition due to lack of freezing, got lulled into the superficial refreeze and then decided to bail after getting hammered down with ice and rocks from the party above in the couloir. Definitely not a route to do under another party!
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Route in poor condition due to lack of freezing, got lulled into the superficial refreeze and then decided to bail after getting hammered down with ice and rocks from the party above in the couloir. Definitely not a route to do under another party!

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Style of Ascent
Alt Leads
Lead
Followed
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Onsighted
DNF
Repeated
Flashed (β)
Dogged
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Route of Interest
Central Spur

Grade: D ***
(Les Courtes)

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