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Aguilles du midi lift

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Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone knew how strong the wind needs to be for the aguilles du midi lift to be closed?

Any advice welcome.
 PeterBlackler 13 Jun 2017
In reply to Chris Huntington:

Not sure but we were surprised how seemingly quite light winds shut down the Flégère lift when we were very much hoping for lift down at the end of the day with heavy (for us) sacks

Although looking back it was an amusing semi-epic (for us) capped off by being escorted by a golf buggy during our attempted short cut across the golf course...Chamonix eh?

I suppose the lesson is not to believe the lift system is infallible and you may have to make your own way home (less easy from the ADM though!)

BR

Pete
 Pete Houghton 13 Jun 2017
In reply to PeterBlackler:

Interestingly, the lower Flegere lift is affected by a curious little pocket of localised moyenne montagne wind which can be absolutely raging when winds in the high altitude are scant to none. Several days this winter saw every lift in the valley open with mild winds, but the Flegere cable car shut with gusts up to a hundred.
Intriguing when down in the valley, annoying when halfway up the Rouges.
 PeterBlackler 13 Jun 2017
In reply to Pete Houghton:

>> the lower Flegere lift is affected by a curious little pocket of localised moyenne montagne wind which can be absolutely raging when winds in the high altitude are scant to none <<

Thanks Pete...that's what must have been going on; we couldn't work it out...

So not the same effect on the AMD then? (attempting to get an answer for the OP after hijacking his thread to the other side of the valley!)
In reply to PeterBlackler:

Thanks mate don't worry about the hijack.

Heading there this weekend and it seems pretty settled.

Don't fancy walking down from the aguilles du midi like!
 El_Dave_H 14 Jun 2017
Was there this winter and the lift was running one day when the wind was so strong we couldn't climb out the arete for fear of being blown off.
In reply to El_Dave_H:

Excellent!
 walts4 14 Jun 2017
In reply to Chris Huntington:

Due to the prevailing wind at the midi, its more direction, rather than actual speed that closes the lift, thankfully its more likely to be shut down by lighting risk than the wind. But going back to your question, not sure of the speed that is needed to close the lift, but that's why the midi arête can be a total wind fest, but the cable car still functions.

As for the Flegere, its invariably the foen wind that is channelled down the Mer de Glace that causes the problem there, the area is known for being the windiest in the valley during these periods.
 El_Dave_H 14 Jun 2017
In reply to Chris Huntington:

Wasn't that excellent, couldn't get anywhere! Luckily I hadn't paid anything extra for the lift pass or it would have been a waste of 60 Euro!

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