In reply to UKC News:
In reply to UKC News:
Bit of (useless - but fun!) statistics:
- Jon and Matt are respectively the 9th and 10th people to ever cross the Pra Sec glacier (who was completely untrodden until 1972!). They join a very restricted list including names like Alessandro Gogna, Guido Machetto and Giancarlo Grassi
- They're the first climbers ever to attempt seriously a repeat of ANY of the four routes on the Tronchey Wall (that's the semi official designation of the SSE Face of the Jorasses
- They've also the distinction to be (officially at least) the first Brits and the second non Italian to ever set foot on the SSE Face (the first was Albert Rand Herron in 1929, an American)
- The Tronchey Wall / SSE Face is the highest rock face of the Mt. Blanc area (1350m from the bottom rimaye to the summit) The exact height howevever varies from year to year, as the upper section of the Pra Sec glaciers changes continuosly because of the movement of the ice, and the debris accumulating from the colossal snow avalances falling from the Jorasses in winter.
As the first ascent claim, Marcello & C told the press they felt the route unfinished (and I know for sure that Marcello still wants to climb those final meters) bit as usual, the press had different ideas.