In reply to GStone:
> Was trying to avoid the crowds of the Gouter
Yes my reply was to jh.2545, who said that
he was intending to do "the Gouter route" soon.
The "Aiguille du Gouter" and the "North Ridge of Dome du Gouter" are two different routes (which share the same upper section of the Bosses ridge).
My understanding is that the "Aiguille du Gouter" route is far more popular than the "North Ridge" route. And so
when people say "the Gouter route", they usually mean the "Aiguille" route.
By suggesting "North Ridge of Dome du Gouter", my intent was to offer a better alternative (for this year at this time) than the "Aiguille Gouter" route -- which also is likely to be a good way to "escape the crowds" of that route -- except of course on the Bosses ridge.
Of course if you do 3MB, you avoid the crowds on the Bosses ridge also.
Unless you descend some different route which uses the Bosses ridge (something which many parties who ascend 3MB choose to do).
Ken
P.S. My own hope (conditions and weather permitting two or three weeks from now) is to climb up 3MB -- then avoid the Bosses ridge and Aiguille du Gouter by descending the North Face and then the Grands Mulets glacier on _skis_.
Post edited at 03:28
