If I remember correctly they got stuck up there as the bad weather came in preventing the heli coming for them. They did manage to descend under their own steam which must have been interesting considering the clothing and the ice axes which were straight out of the museum and insured for thousands of francs. Not that that was very much... The best bit must have been Bonington being shepherded down by French guides!
If you look at the close ups you can make out Bonington's harness under his tweeds. I've done the Charmoz Grépon Traverse and it's harder than that. Can't remember if I climbed the Mummery Crack in boots or rockshoes, though. Charmoz-Grépon Traverse (D+ 6b)
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