The forecast had been for snow, snow, and more snow, but what we got was sun, sun, and more sun, and the occasional early morning cloud.
We decided to put the alpine climbing back on the agenda…
Valleรยฉ Blanche & the Cosmiques
But winter alpine climbing is a serious adventure, so we thought we’d do a little acclimatisation in style. We took a trip up to the Aguille du Midi and spent a night in the Refuge des Cosmique. I love being up on the Col du Midi, especially when nearly everyone else descends down to the valley. It’s a very special place.
Frendo-Ravanel
So, after that acclimatisation, we spent a day deciding what route we could do. We opted for Frendo-Ravanel on the Grand Montets ridge above the Argentier Glacier – easy access, fairly easy ski out (despite heavy bags), and an interesting route with a couple of good technical sections.
As we waited for the first lift up Pete recognised a guy he had met at last years International Meet – Krzysztof from Poland. Funnily enough, they were aiming for the same route. ๐ฏ
After crossing a bergschrund, and a couple of hundred metres of steep snow, the technical ice began. It’s all fairly easy at first, but it gets harder and harder with each pitch culminating in a very thin mixed rock and ice pitch as the crux had a distinct lack of ice – no photos of that pitch, I was concentrating too hard on the belaying. ๐ฎ
You can just make out our skis waiting for our return way below…
So that’s what the Cosmiques is like inside. A bit posher than the Abri Simond, not to mention the shed down the ridge which we used to use! Glad you went on having a good time; when the blogs tailed off I thought perhaps the weather had deteriorated.
Yes, it was a bit posh. The usual set up inside with the bunk rooms, but we had a bunk room to ourselves so had a good night sleep.
I failed to get some amazing pictures of the Gรยฉant Glacier. I was very tired and concentrating too hard and completely forgot to get the camera out. Crevasses were opening up all over the place – I’ve never seen it so bad. I had heard there’d been some accidents/people falling in/a guide dying, and now I know why. Scary business, but we kept it slow and steady.
looks like you had a good time… and good weather….
and at last a cake (sort of) pic!!!
You need to go back in June and do the Frendo Spur!!
Ah yes, when it’s a bit warmer me thinks.
Yeah – cold is not the word to describe it! Never before have I suffered the screaming barfies three times on a single route! Normally once I’ve had the hot-aches my hands and/or feet are warmed up for the day. But not here, both hands and feet suffered on nearly every pitch. It can’t have to be much colder before frost bite is a possibility. Serious investment in winter alpine boots is required – Nepal Tops are just not good enough for winter alpine conditions.
Is a ‘man up’ comment justified? ๐
Probably not from the finger-wimp…