UKC

Rockfax Description
III, 200m, 3 - 5 hours. A classic traverse, with magnificent views, which is usually climbed as a there-and-back outing.

1) From the Aiguille du Midi, descend the east ridge to flatter ground and continue eastwards towards the Aiguille du Plan.
2) Pass over two small snowy summits before dropping down steeply to the Col du Plan. This descent can be icy and it will feel steep and exposed in these conditions - take your time.
3) Pass onto the north side of the ridge and traverse the exposed slope, climbing gradually up and leftwards (easier and safer with good snow cover) to regain the ridge at a saddle.
4) Climb the ridge easily via a gentle snow slope to the rocks of the Rognon du Plan. Where this narrows to a metre or so wide, drop off to the right via 3 x 30m abseils down chimneys and ledges (numerous routes possible and huge amounts of abseil tat everywhere) to reach a snow traverse or (in poor conditions) smooth slabs above the Envers Glacier. Cross these to reach gentle snow slopes on the ridge crest which lead to the foot of the rocky summit tower of the Aiguille du Plan.
5) 4b. Go to the north of the tower and climb a series of ledges on the north side. Where the rock steepens, step right and climb a corner (4b) to reach large ledges. A final couple of mantelshelves lead to the stunningly-exposed summit, which is a wonderful viewpoint.
Descent - Either reverse the route or descend the Glacier d'Envers du Plan to the Refuge du Requin. This requires good snow coverage, is usually only possible in early summer and always has crevasse danger. Check on conditions before attempting to descend this way.
If reversing the route back to the Aiguille du Midi, reclimbing the Rognon du Plan involves some climbing up to 4b. The Rognon can be climbed anywhere on its East Face at this grade. Although the Rognon's north ridge looks easy, it proves not to be, so resist the temptation to go up it (it is much tougher than reclimbing the East Face) and instead reverse the abseil line. © Rockfax

UKC Logbook Description
Follow the snow ridge NE from the Midi station to the Col du Plan. Turn rock sections by snow couloirs on the Chamonix face to the Rognon du Plan. From here follow the rock arete a short way before abseiling on the Envers side to the Col sup du Plan. On the return journey there is a short pitch of IV to reascend the Rognon du Plan.

Note, most French books rate this AD for the return journey to the midi, PD if you descend the Envers du Plan glacier.

Ticklists

Rebuffat's 100 Finest Routes in the Mont Blanc Massif , Batoux's 100 finest routes in the Mont Blanc massif , Top quality Alps under 4000m , ROCKFAX Chamonix: Top 50 , Big Routes , Alpine Progression , BMC - Easier Classics in the Mont Blanc Range , TM Alps , Emma and Will go the the Alps , Cham Sep 24

Feedback

User Date Notes
rbh22 20 Jun, 2023 Show βeta
βeta: Traversing slopes felt precarious. Got to the saddle before Rognon and turned back - looked bad snow and a stream was coming out the bottom.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: Traversing slopes felt precarious. Got to the saddle before Rognon and turned back - looked bad snow and a stream was coming out the bottom.
Tall Oak 22 Sep, 2021 Show βeta
βeta: How we avoided an epic I have no idea. Mixture of slushy snow and scree up the gully. Ice axe arrest failed and luckily my saviour had his ice axe burried deep in the snow. I could have ended up as primitive man locked in the glacier for a thousand years! The 'Adam and Eve' jump was really cool however. And actually the climb on the way back was also cool. Crampons on and could really stick and cam into such fine edges. Probably call this 1.5 to 2 type fun. Many memories from the day. Even out of condition I can fondly remember the views and stunning sense I felt from the ridges, tops and climbing. Well done Jamie for leading and managing the risks as with slushy snow and time being tight our story could have been very different. Took us 7.5hrs which I thought was very good.
βeta?
Show beta
βeta: How we avoided an epic I have no idea. Mixture of slushy snow and scree up the gully. Ice axe arrest failed and luckily my saviour had his ice axe burried deep in the snow. I could have ended up as primitive man locked in the glacier for a thousand years! The 'Adam and Eve' jump was really cool however. And actually the climb on the way back was also cool. Crampons on and could really stick and cam into such fine edges. Probably call this 1.5 to 2 type fun. Many memories from the day. Even out of condition I can fondly remember the views and stunning sense I felt from the ridges, tops and climbing. Well done Jamie for leading and managing the risks as with slushy snow and time being tight our story could have been very different. Took us 7.5hrs which I thought was very good.

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Voting
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High AD
Mid AD
Low AD
High AD-
Mid AD-
Low AD-
Votes cast 32
Votes cast 27
Style of Ascent
Alt Leads
Lead
Followed
Soloed
Not Set
Onsighted
DNF
Repeated
Flashed (β)
Redpoint
Not Set
Route of Interest
East Ridge

Grade: AD ***
(Aiguille du Bionnassay)

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