UKC

Four French alpinists and members of the Chamonix-based Groupe Militaire d'Haute Montagne (GMHM, French high mountain military group) Caporal Léo Billon, Sergent Sébastien Ratel and Caporal-chefs (premier classe) Jordi Noguere and Thomas Auvaro are currently establishing a new route on the West Face of Les Drus...and livestreaming their climb!

Impressive. Good grief, there's some unstable-looking structures on there. But their line looks fairly solid. I can't imagine what it would be like in the summer

They're out of sight in a chimney just now. Check back later maybe! Replays at the moment.

Looks like its up the middle of the rockfall area.

I like the opportunist raven ? flying around hopeful of an easy meal.

It looks as if today's climbing, at least, is following the line of the 2015 Spanish route/attempt Abdruits. Any idea whether there's any confirmation of that?

https://www.thebmc.co.uk/spanish-make-valiant-attempt-on-the-west-face-of-the-dru

When the livestream finished this evening the leader appeared to be at about the same level as where the top of the Red Pillar on the French Direct used to be, shortly above the Spanish highpoint [if the route shown in the linked BMC piece is correct].

Live again, 250m to go:  youtube.com/watch?v=oknERYgv8N8&

It's a pity the leader is wearing dark clothing. Quite an elementary gaff when taking either stills or video. But it's still mesmerising stuff.

It's not looking very good right now. They disappeared from sight at the top of the west face (onto the top of the south face) and were meant to be at the summit in about half an hour max. That was at least 90 mins ago. Still no sign of them.

They have just re-appeared close to the summit.

Two of them have finally reached the summit ridge, thank goodness.